Not everyone finished, and not everyone placed as high as they hoped, but for those who competed at the NHIAA Alpine Meet of Champions, the experience was nonetheless worthwhile.

“It’s quite an honor for those who were qualified to go to this completion,” said Bow High School coach Joe Poole. “It’s really a unique event to be able to compete with the best in every division, and regardless of the outcome, it’s fun for everybody.”

Skiers from Divisions I, II, III and IV congregated at Gunstock Mountain in Gilford on Thursday, Feb. 21, and for one local athlete, it was another year, another successful tale.

Bow senior Ian Hanson reached his fourth consecutive Eastern High School Alpine Championships and represents New Hampshire as one of 12 Granite Staters at Cranmore Mountain from March 14 to 16 when the best from up and down the Atlantic seaboard head to North Conway to test their mettle.

Hanson took runner-up in the event as a sophomore. At this year’s MOC, Hanson placed sixth in the giant slalom with runs of 43.03 seconds and 43.30 second for a two-run total of 1 minute, 26.33 seconds.

In the afternoon slalom event he completed his first run in 52.53 seconds, 22nd best, but fell on his second run and finished in 1:22.30. He still placed among the top 25 in the event.

Not just Hanson, but practically every competitor was slipping and sliding during the afternoon runs.

“The slalom course was fairly technical and challenging, and the conditions, just because of the nature of the ice surface … we were basically skiing on the scraped-down leftovers of the previous rainstorm,” said Poole. “It was something the Manchester Monarchs would appreciate, but the skiers certainly didn’t care much for the course.”

One Bow skier didn’t have the opportunity to compete in the slalom, though she has three more years to return.

Freshman Jordan Bibeau, after completing a 51.22-second giant slalom run, fell and hurt her knee on the second run.

“Sure, she was disappointed, but she had told me she had some prior injury to that left knee, so in a way she was not totally surprised,” said Poole. “I know she was excited just to be there.”

Other Falcons competing at the event included Jake Hughes, who finished 17th in the giant slalom with a two-run total of 1:30.15. He took 11th in the slalom, finishing his second run in 47.77 second for a two-run total of 1 minute, 41.84 seconds.

Krystal Cummings finished the two giant slalom runs in 1:33.71, good for 17th among the girls, and took 18th in slalom in 1:45.98.

Emile Hatem took 17th in slalom in 1:47.80 and 30th in giant slalom in 1:34.23.

Matt Raffio, in his second trip to Meet of Champions, also competed.

“As far as Bow goes, this was the most we’ve ever sent to the Meet of Champions with our four boys and two girls,” said Poole. “Overall, it’s been a great season for us.”