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Hello, Elle!
Yes, the skiing is good, but there is a strong crosswind near the bottom of the run which is causing problems for the racers.
Exciting, though!
I am ahead of the game today, I have finished my puzzle!
22a, is my personal "clue of the week"!
I laughed out loud at it!
Still have two to parse, though.

All parsed now, Elle!
Now I wonder if I can spot a swift horse at Doncaster today!

Hi, Rusty!
I have finished my crossword, too.
Four parsings still to do though!
I shall give them some thought on and off over the afternoon!
Yes, "Puss in Boots" was amusing!
I had a chuckle , too!
I thought today's puzzle was a nice one....not just because I could do it, but because I appreciated the various nuances.
So you have horse-racing, as well, today?

Well done, Elle!
7d, is a smashing clue, too.
My last two to parse were 5d and 24d.
Think I tied my brain in knots with 24d, but I got there!
Yes, a good puzzle today.
Hope you manage your parses.
Just one horse at Doncaster.
Verbal Dexterity is the horse. Just for fun!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, " So USA"!
Whoever compiled today's crossword certainly has a sense of humour!
Now 5d, I took as being
"aforementioned " = already introduced def)
Actioned - dealt with
The "c" then being replaced with "foremen" - team leaders
giving "a foremen tioned"
I think this is right?
I am now down to two left to parse...so making progress!
I shall have to abandon further thought for now, as we are about to go out........
The sun is shining, the dog is eager.....
Fingers crossed for Verbal Dexterity!
(I love the name)
Catch up when I get back!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, your parse is correct. Well done!
That was one of the two that I was ages nailing.
"So USA" was a great clue. Well done, setter!
Poor old Verbal Dexterity!
Not good enough!
Though the winner, Saxon Warrior, helped to break a world record for his trainer, Aidan O'Brien.
He has won 26 Group One races this season, beating the late Bobby Frankel's record.
Quite windy here!

Hi, Rusty!
Back home again!
A good walk.......
We drove out to the Country Park as we thought it might be quieter.
I am sorry that Verbal Dexterity did not do better!
Light has not dawned on my two remaining parses.
20a: I beat Elsie (6)
I have "Tanner", purely because the clue mentions "Elsie" and I know she was a Coronation Street character of that name
And a beating could be a tanning?
But otherwise "tanner" to me is someone who treats animal hides?
An the other one I can't do is 24d.
I'm on stronger ground here in that I know the answer is "schwa" = "indistinct sound"
but cannot parse beyond this?
Is your wind causing any Bridge restrictions?

Good evening, Elle!
Oh, Verbal Dexterity ran a good race, but others ran better.
That's racing!
I agree with "tanner" and your parse.
I can not think of anything else!
Yes "schwa" is what I have.
My parse is, "S" for "South", "ch" is abbreviation for "check" in chess, and the Australian state is "WA" for Western Australia.
What is your opinion of that parse?
It took me ages, and why was "Australian" in the clue?

Hello, Elle!
The puzzle lad on YouTube has posted another vlog today.
But it is not of a crossword puzzle.
He is solving today's Times Killer Sudoku.
So, I thought not to post it?
The bridge is open to all traffic just now.
Think it has been all day.
Our wind has dropped, but the sky is full of geese!

Hi, Rusty!
Well, I don't know what to think about the parsing of "schwa" for 24d?
My thoughts were similar to yours, in that I considered check as the source of the "ch"...and I wondered about Western Australia (WA) for the state, but as you have said...why then mention the word "Australian" in the clue?
So I gave up!
No, I do not like Sudoku!
But I should like to listen to your man talking about solving another crossword puzzle --- that I found informative and enjoyed.
Why is your sky full of geese?
Are they going somewhere?
or hovering?