A Downhill Climb
In her quest to become a D.C. ski champion, Shawntice Jones must master the snowplow, the slalom course, and pre-algebra.
Cover Story
In her quest to become a D.C. ski champion, Shawntice Jones must master the snowplow, the slalom course, and pre-algebra.
Photographs by Darrow Montgomery
Shawntice Jones is on the verge of crying. She is lying on a bed of wet, slushy, artificial snow at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort in late January. Around her stands a grove of skinny red poles that articulate a beginner-level slalom course. Shawntice had just come out of the starting gate and was rounding the second pole when she stumbled over an unexpected dip in the terrain. It wasn't a bad fall. But now, she's sprawled on the ground with rain pelting her face.
"What a waste," she says later. "All that practice for nothin'."
After struggling for a while, Shawntice snaps her skis off and stands up. Clutching her gear, she starts heading for the lodge. By walking away, she's disqualifying herself.
Her coach, Kevin Fox, doesn't waste any time catching up with Shawntice.
"You've got to go back," Fox implores her.
Tears start to well in Shawntice's eyes. "They need to smooth that thing up!" she wails. "That's why people are fallin'."
"Just try one more time," Fox suggests gently. "You worked so hard. If you don't do this, you'll go home and you'll regret it."
Shawntice has two runs left. If she finishes among the six fastest skiers in her division, she advances to the championships. That's a big deal, because it means a free return trip in March to the southwestern Pennsylvania retreat, "the fifth-best resort in the East," complete with bowling alley and swimming pool. ... Continued 
Issue of Mar. 29 - Apr. 4, 2002
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