Our Maddex Life: Proud Wife

I am one proud wife today. After 3 years of getting SO close to a victory, Jesse won his first Banzai race yesterday. And boy, was it exciting. He skied the course beautifully all day, handily winning his first two races and easily making it into the finals on his third. The final four skiers were some of the top skiers the Banzai tour has seen, with Johnny Bochenik, a 22 year old Tahoe local and repeat Banzai winner and John Lange, also a top contender in the last few races. The top of the course was very technical, which played right into Jesse's skill set. He lead the charge into the "mine field" which was a ridiculously steep pitch of pure moguls. There were some near falls, people passing each other left and right and as they came into the gully (where the audience could not see what was happening) the announcers said that Bochenik was in the lead but Maddex and Lange were right in the mix. In one of the most amazing finishes this race has seen, Jesse and Bochenik came flying through the finish, neck and neck, for a win by a nose for MADDEX! We had quite a cheering squad at the race, and Team Mad-Dog went BANANAS. While the second place winner wasn't as gracious as he could have been, contesting the win and holding up the awards ceremony, Keith Bauer (a coworker of Jesse's) had video and still footage that clearly confirmed Jesse as the WINNER!!

What an exciting day!!! On to Squaw in two weeks and Sugar Bowl the week after that, where Jesse will have the opportunity to compete in the Super Finals against Daron Rahlves.