20TH ANNUAL BILLY DUTTON UPHILL RACE SET FOR APRIL 12, 2009
Tim Dutton, Grandson of the late Billy Dutton, wins the North American Freeskiing Championships today, defeating the top big mountain skiers on the continent*
[Squaw Valley USA] March 21, 2009 - Each spring hundreds of Nordic skiers, snowshoers, and fit bodies race up the mountain in the Annual Billy Dutton Uphill, in honor of late local luminary, Billy Dutton. The original “run what ya brung” uphill race is an uphill answer to the famous ‘Chinese Downhill’ of the 70’s. Starting from the bottom of KT-22, the race course climbs 2000 vertical feet over 3.2 miles to High Camp, el. 8200’. This Easter Sunday, April 12, marks the 20th Annual Billy Dutton Uphill at Squaw Valley USA.

The Billy Dutton Uphill race is open to Nordic skiers, snowshoers, runners and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Registration for the April 12th race begins at 7 am in the Olympic Plaza, and the race starts at 8 am at the Funitel. The $20 entry fee includes a tee shirt and goodie bag and proceeds benefit the Tahoe Nordic Race Scholarship Programs. Prizes are awarded to the top finishers in all age categories.

The always smiling Billy Dutton helped establish the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue (TNSR) in 1976, based on his passion for cross country skiing and his vast knowledge of the Tahoe Basin and the surrounding backcountry. “Bill was our strongest skier. I was always sure to be with the likes of him when we teamed up on searches,” says Doug Read, Dutton friend and fellow original member of TNSR.

Read recounts the time when Dutton herringboned eight miles up and out of a canyon near Diamond Crossing, carrying a hurt woman on his back to safety and recovery. “All he asked was if I would carry his poles,” recalls Read. “He was the type who made our community such a wonderful place to live.” It has been two decades since Billy Dutton passed away, but his spirit lives on through the Annual Billy Dutton Uphill, and through his wife, children, and grandchildren.

*Dutton’s grandson, 21-year old Tim Dutton shocked his big-name competitors today (Mar 21) by taking 1st place at the North American Freeskiing Championships. Like Billy, Tim Dutton is known for his smile and skiing prowess.

This Event is being held at SQUAW VALLEY USA.