Cardboard derby '14 highlights good times at SnoFest

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jacob Morgan
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
KEYSTONE, Colo. --  Nearly 30 teams with home-built cardboard sleds daringly dove down the slopes of Keystone Mountain Jan. 25, trying to be the fastest to reach the bottom of a 75-yard track.

The race was part of SnoFest, held annually at Keystone. Contestants came from Front Range bases including F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., Peterson AFB, Buckley AFB, Schriever AFB, the U.S. Air Force Academy and Fort Carson.

While some sleds were simple, others were complex, ranging from mini aircraft carriers and an E-2C Hawkeye to a rectangular prism strapped together with duct tape and a mat made from duct tape. Some crafts reached the bottom so quickly spectators could barely see them and others had to be pushed down as they dug into the snow. The event was ultimately a success said Bill Coble, 10th Force Support Squadron outdoor adventure programmer.

"People put a lot of effort into their craft this year and the weather was great," said Coble. "Everyone had a great time."

Lt. Col. Jason Terry, 52nd Airlift Squadron commander, said safety was a concern but he still managed to fit two children, his wife, and himself - all dressed as Star Wars characters - into a mini X-wing fighter.

Lightsaber intact, Terry managed to carry home the Most Creative trophy for the family.

Seven other awards were handed out during the cardboard derby in five categories: Most Creative Youth, Fastest Youth, Fastest Family, Fastest Individual, Fastest Group, Biggest Crowd Pleaser Group, and Biggest Crowd Pleaser Youth.

Winners included:
Most Creative - Combat Roos, 52nd AS, Peterson AFB
Most Creative Youth - Silly Sardines, Schriever AFB
Fastest Youth - USS SnoFest, Buckley AFB, with a time of 7.50 seconds
Fastest Family - Discovery Crew, Space and Missile Systems Center, with a time of 10.11 seconds
Fastest Individual - Smurf, Peterson AFB, with a time of 13.53 seconds
Fastest Group - Fibonacci Falcons, U.S. Air Force Academy, with a time of 11.94 seconds
Biggest Crowd Pleaser - Winning Banana, Buckley AFB
Biggest Crowd Pleaser Youth - Minion, Fort Carson

With the 2014 cardboard derby representing some fast and creative craft, plans to upgrade the competition are in the works for 2015.

"SnoFest participants [should] keep an eye out for some new developments next year," said Coble. "We are looking at having a lot more family activities and possibly some new events on the mountain in 2015."

 

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