Greg Hill Goes for Guinness World Record at 24 Hours of Sunlight
November 16, 2005 (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) – Canadian endurance skier Greg Hill will be attempting to obtain the Guinness Book of World Record for most human-powered vertical feet skied at the 24 Hours of Sunlight. Hill holds the current unofficial record by skiing downhill 40,170 feet in 21 hours and 6 minutes, for a total of 80,340 in total vertical feet obtained.
The racecourse, on the Beaujolais run at Sunlight Mountain Resort, starts at 8152’ and climbs an average of a 17 percent grade to reach 9675’ elevation, for a 1523’ accent making one lap equal to 3046’. Hill, along with other endurance skiers, will undertake the race solo. There are also five-person groups and duo divisions, and the race is open to recreational and professional skiers/snowboarders.
“Doing one lap on this course isn’t difficult,” says Mike Marolt, race organizer, who will also be racing in the solo division. “Linking five or six laps at race pace for 24 hours straight, that’s going to be hard. This race will force out the best guy, it will be interesting to see how it turns out.”
Hill skied more than one million vertical feet last season, and is prepared to meet the challenge. His goal for the race is to ski 50,000 vertical feet.
“I always knew that for a true huge vertical day it would have to be in a very controlled area, where no trail has to be broken, no avalanche terrain to negotiate, simply a race up and down a groomed resort,” says Hill. “Sunlight Mountain Resort is an ideal venue to gain that vert and go for the world record.”
Whether or not Hill tops his 40000’ current record, the winner of the 24 Hours of Sunlight will make history as a new entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The 24 Hours of Sunlight takes place at Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs, Colo., February 11-12, 2006. For more information, or to register, go to www.24HoursofSunlight.com.
The 24 Hours of Sunlight is an inaugural race benefiting the Heuga Center for MS. The Center, based in Edwards, Colo., is dedicated to improving the lives of people and families living with Multiple Sclerosis through its interactive, educational programs unique to any in the world. The Center’s programs range from one to five days and are held throughout the U.S. and Canada up to 60 times per year. For more information on the Heuga Center, visit www.heuga.org. |
