Dubbed “Mr. Nastar of Steamboat Springs” by Nastar historian Jim Fain, Jerry Taylor died peacefully at his home in Arvada, Colorado one week ago on December 28. On any day the Bashor Race Course was to open at 10am or 1030am, Jerry would be there with his friend Bill Ward, about 15 minutes early to check out the course and conditions. Always equipped with a small spiral notepad, Jerry recorded notes every day, and was always more than happy to share tips with anyone who would ask. After he finished his racing for the day, he would hoist his extra skis on his shoulder and slip the course for the next racer. He logged more Nastar runs at Bashor than anyone, and was ranked Number One in the nation eight times in the Nastar full season ranking competition.
Jerry is the only person in history who has raced in the Nastar National Championships in five different decades! His winning ways began in 1976 at Snowmass, when the National Championships weekend was sponsored by Schlitz beer. Jerry raced in the National Championships a total of 13 times, making the podium 8 times. It would be a long spell of placing 2nd or 3rd before Jerry finally, just last year, placed first in the Men’s 75-79 Platinum Division.
Jerry is greatly missed by his many racing buddies, especially here in Steamboat Springs.-Sandy Schwindy
