Conner qualifies in semi-pro open class at snowmobile hill climb

It looks like it's try, try again for Thermopolis' own Kacy Conner, who wrapped up his third season of semi-pro snowmobile hill climbs on the weekend of April 17-18 by qualifying in one of his four competitive classes at the national championship hill climb at the Lost Trail Ski Resort in Sula, Montana.

"I qualified in the semi-pro open class, but I missed the semi-pro improved stock class by 6/100ths of a second," Conner said.

"The other two categories, I was having problems with my sled, so I'll be starting over in points next January," he added.

Although the snowmobile hill climb competitive season culminates in the world championships in Jackson Hole in March, competitors have the chance to earn points toward qualifying for the following season's world championships in April.

Snowmobile hill climb courses can test competitors' skills through both speed and technical runs, the latter of which requires them to navigate more complicated courses, complete with designated gates, rather than simply racing straight up the hill.

Conner was optimistic about his chances at Sula, since its technical run was better suited to his skillset, but he was also on his second well-used snowmobile of the season, after his first one "blew up" on him.

He then received another, from a generous mechanic, that had been pushed "to Hell and back" even before he used it to wrap up this season.

While the equipment can be expensive to fix and replace, Conner's heart remains strong for the sport, especially since he's already made it to the world championships in Jackson Hole in previous seasons, which only afford entry to the top 12 competitors in each class.

Even once you make it to Jackson Hole, though, its final round of competition only admits the top five competitors, a Rubicon Conner has yet to cross.

As a self-described "adrenaline junkie," Conner nonetheless sees the competition itself as a reward, and has continued to build on the abilities he honed growing up and making his own snowmobile courses through the backcountry terrain of the mountains of Wyoming, primarily Togwotee Pass.

Born and raised in Thermopolis, Conner graduated from high school in 2013 and attended Northwest Community College, after which he moved to Brooks Lake Lodge, atop Togwotee Pass, and began guiding snowmobilers there for a number of years.

"I started racing when I guided Tiffany Mcwilliams and her mom, Nicole," Conner said. "They said, 'You should come try this,' so I did, and now I'm hooked."

Over time, Conner has come to cherish what he describes as "the tight-knit community" of the Rocky Mountain States Hill Climb Association, but he also looks forward to ultimately turning pro, which he expects to do perhaps as soon as "the year after next."

In the meantime, Conner had no shortage of thank- yous he wished to extend for his success so far, not only to his parents and his wife, but also to sponsors Best of the West Outfitters and TOBE Outerwear.