If photographing Olympics-caliber skiers were an event, Ricky Casten of Chester would definitely be a contender for the gold medal.
Casten spoke about his travels and showcased his photography to the Chester Women's Club at its Oct. 26 meeting.
Casten attended his first world championship ski racing event at Vail, Colorado in 2014 after seeing a commercial about it on television. He said he thought it would be a great retirement trip. He went to another world championship event in Aspen, Colorado in March of 2016 and he said, in a word, he was "hooked."
In February 2017, he traveled to St. Moritz, Switzerland and the following month was back in Aspen. By this time, Casten said that he was learning the ropes, finding great places to stand and position himself in order to get the best photos and meeting lots of athletes and their families.
In February 2018 Casten traveled to Pyeongchang, South Korea for the 2018 Winter Olympics. He attended the opening ceremony which he described as "unbelievable."
"I just couldn't believe I was actually there," he said.
While there for two weeks, he attended every women's ski race and ski jumping event and had "the time of his life." He plans to attend the Alpine Ski Championships in February 2019 in Sweden and has long term goals of going to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy in 2021 for the World Championships.
Casten provided a large display of the many outstanding photos he has taken at the various Alpine events he's attended, along with other miscellaneous items of interest that he has obtained on his travels.
The business segment of the meeting was conducted by First Vice President Nikki Aubuchon. It was announced that the next meeting of the Chester Women's Club will be Friday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. at the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church. Those on the hostess committee will be Gwendy Garner, Chairman; Pam Sheely, Carolyn Schwent, Betty Welge, Darlene Gentsch, Myrna Campbell, Betty Krieg and Marlene Seymour. At this meeting members will have the opportunity to purchase $15.00 tickets for the December 13 Christmas luncheon at the Chester Country Club.
