First Weekend Sweep in Team History

For the second time in series history, we headed to Grand Rapids Michigan to race at Cannonsburg Ski Lodge. The track is located directly on the ski hill, our first ski slope track of the season, and provided left and right hand turns along with technical sections spread across the terrain. Coming into this weekend the series and teams made the executive decision to keep the Triple Crown format in the Pro class for the remainder of the season. A challenge to say the least given the tight turn around times and essentially three mini finals, but our crew was up for the task and leading that effort was our #31 who was in a league of his own this weekend. 

Friday’s efforts started strong with Emil Harr topping Triple Crown qualifying, solidifying the number one pick heading into Round 1. In Round 1, EH found his preferred line off the start that he would utilize all weekend as when the light went green, he was able to get a good jump and dive under the field on the first turn to position himself near the front early on. Following a top three start, EH came around the first lap in second, and quickly had to balance the fine line of playing offense and defense as he tried to stay close to the leader and also keep a hard charging third place at bay. Around the five minute mark, EH made the pass into the lead and never looked back. Round 2 EH used the same maneuver off the start to dive under the field in the first corner and drive away from the pack. Putting on a master class, EH was a whole section ahead of competitors and at one point in the race cultivated a 10.7 second lead over the rest of the field. Round 3 started off with a challenge as EH got together with a rider on the first downhill whoop section off the start but used incredible heads up riding to stay upright on the sled and made the pass into the lead on the first lap of the final round. Near the midway point in the round, EH seemed to gain a second on the field with every lap that passed all the way up to a eight second differential over the field. These 1-1-1 finishes landed him the Round 13 overall win. 

Saturday started similarly as EH earned the pole and topped qualifying for the second time this weekend. EH used the same inside line off the start in Saturday’s Round 1 to pilot his way to the front of the pack on lap one. Despite receiving pressure, EH kept his composure and pulled back away from competitors to bring home the victory in dominant fashion. Despite being pinched off the start in Round 2, EH came around the first lap sitting in the top three. EH swiftly made the pass into second and set out in pursuit of first. Around five minutes into the round, EH found a new gear and caught up to the leader. His patient and consistent riding was rewarded when the leader came off late in the race and EH was able to ride the race out to yet another victory. Carrying a ton of momentum into this final round of the weekend, EH had a brilliant start and wasted no time making his way to the front of the pack and emerging from the first turn in the lead. After putting in another flawless ride and taking the Round 3 win, EH took the Round 14 overall. 

After topping both qualifiers and winning all six Triple Crown rounds, this marks our first overall weekend sweep in team history! Because of this two day sweep, EH ate away at defending champion Elias Ishoel’s point lead and will now take the championship battle down to the final weekend. EH now has won 3 out of the 4 Triple Crown overalls this season in the premier division. 

Brother and teammate Filip Harr continues to grow stronger as the season goes on and has been battling it out in the Pro Lite ranks in hopes to make his first Pro Lite final before the season comes to an end. 

One weekend and two rounds remain in the 2023 season. Next we head to Dubuque Iowa for the season finale, another ski hill course. After an emotional and gratifying weekend like this one, we are feeling confident and re-energized heading into the final rounds and look forward to ending out the season strong.