The Philomath High Alpine Ski Team opened Emerald Ski League action Wednesday with senior Joe Barnes winning a silver medal and junior Ana Candanoza placing fourth in their respective divisions for the giant slalom.
Competing at Hoodoo Ski Area, Barnes finished with a total time of 1:16.78 — 38.67 seconds on the first run and 38.11 on the second. Styopa Myagkov of Sisters finished first at 1:15.50. Both Myagkov and Barnes were well ahead of the rest of the field of 36 skiers.
Philomath junior Montgomery Jones finished 29th at 1:41.99, a performance that PHAST manager Marc Barnes said was a dramatic improvement over last year.
For the girls, Candanoza’s fourth-place finish came with a total time of 1:27.11. Candanoza had runs of 43.68 and 43.43. Three Sisters skiers finished ahead of her, the win going to Ella Eby at 1:20.64.
The Emerald League circuit continues Jan. 22 with a slalom competition, also at Hoodoo.