Weather permitting

"Weather" or not this weekend's state ski meet goes on as scheduled depends on the severity of the forecasted snowstorms expected to pound the Lake Tahoe Basin this weekend.

The 2008 Nevada 4A state alpine skiing meet is schedule for and Sunday at Mt. Rose Ski Resort.

However, the National Weather Service is forecasting as much as two feet of snow to fall above 7,000 feet by the end of the weekend, and if it is deemed the conditions are too dangerous for competition, the meet would be postponed to next weekend, March 1-2.

Incline High School ski coach Joe Humasti said his team is prepared to compete this weekend, or next weekend - whatever the case.

"We'll be ready to go," he said. "The kids are excited about the state meet and trying to win state.

The Incline boys skiing team is looking for its second consecutive 4A team title at this year's state meet. Also representing Incline is junior Jill Colbert, who qualified as a female individual.

For the boys teams, Incline will be joined by fellow Tahoe Basin League school South Tahoe High School, along with Reno, Wooster, Damonte Ranch and Galena high schools.

Last week, Humasti said South Tahoe is the team to beat at the tournament. His opinion didn't sway this week.

"Anything can happen in ski racing, but with the depth of South Tahoe, they're the team to beat," he said. "We just need to do the best we can and limit our mistakes."

If the meet goes as scheduled, slalom races will take place starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Giant slalom races take place starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The times and raced would remain the same if the meet is postponed to next weekend.

The seeding meeting for the tournament took place later Thursday afternoon, so results were unknown as of press time. However, Humasti revealed his probable starting prior to the meeting.

It is as follows: 1. Kerrigan Leijon; 2. Nels Hansen; 3. Brenden Darby; 4. Sean Higgins; 5. Jimmy Sagan; 6. Matt Smith; 7. Austin Young; and 8. Nick Rutley. Higgins and Sagan won't be able to compete in this weekend's meet, however, as they currently are racing in FIS and USSA races.

Check Sunday's Bonanza to see "weather" the meet is postponed.