2015 Group Photo

Well over one hundred skiers, snowboarders and snow bunnies trekked to Sugarbush VT for the 53nd annual Esto winter fest.

Kids photo left to right: Siri Kai Ojamaa, Veronika Liivak, Lola Belle Ojamaa, Mikko Liivak

Participants traveled from points as far away as Washington D.C and Toronto. With the record snowfall this year, conditions on the mountain were superb and the après ski activities vibrant as always! The group was a bit larger this year with several past participants returning along with some newcomers to help celebrate our annual  Esto East Coast ski trip tradition.

Our customary Saturday morning ESTO downhill race attracted 70 skiers, boarders and cross country competitors ranging from age 8 to 78. The competition was fierce and our ESTO medal winners are listed on the ESL web page at: www.estonianhousenewyork.com/spordiliit.html. Our best category trophy winners for 2015 include:

Best Male Snowboarder – Erik Must  - 38:71
Best Female Snowboarder – Ingrid Nagy – 47:03
Best Young Male – Alex Jogi – 30.88
Best Young Female – Martha Mannik – 35:04
Best Overall Youth – Wade Ashford – 31:27
Best Male Skier – Erko Sepp – 28:76
Best Female Skier – Teija Jogi – 33:99
Best Cross Country Skier - Kristiana Parn – 13:08

Category Trophy Winners left to right: Teija Jõgi, Martha Männik, Kristiana Pärn, Ingrid Nagy, Erko sepp, Wade Ashford, Erik Must, Alex Jõgi

This year’s ESTO Race also marked the naming of Riho Melts as the Honorary Coach of “ESTO RACING”. He has been an inspirational presence over the years with his extraordinary racing accomplishments as well as an advisor and consultant to both the trip participants and organizers.  

Congratulations Riho!

As usual, our evening awards dinner and dance had participants cutting up the floor right up to our midnight curfew.

While the 2016 trip will likely move to a new venue, rumor has it  that it’s going to be southern Vermont next time around.

Have a great spring and summer!

Andrus Ers