Week in Review: December 12, 2017
PARK & PIPE
Alumni
SVSEF alumni Chase Josey was based at Copper Mountain in Colorado last week for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix, an Olympic qualifying event. Each country can only have four athletes competing in each event at the Winter Olympics; with only three more qualifying events left, the stakes are high. Josey took seventh overall in halfpipe finals on Saturday, December 9, and was the fifth American finisher. He had qualified fourth in his heat on Thursday. Chase next competes at the Dew Tour in Breckenridge this week (Thursday and Friday), which is another Olympic team selection event.
RESULTS
Travel Team
Five athletes from the Travel Team are headed to Colorado for a week of on-snow training at Breckenridge/Keystone. Sawyer Largay, Ally Olearain, Will Griffith, Ridge Dirkesmeier, Cate Seay and Charlie Bingham will take advantage of features and terrain in Colorado. In addition, athlete Ridge Dirksmeier is also making the trek to the centennial state to compete at a Rev Tour event at Copper.
MOGULS
Mogul athletes Rainey Wilson and Luke Rizzo have qualified for U.S. Selections, based on a top-60 U.S. ranking. They will be competing at Winter Park in Colorado from December 15 through December 21. Athletes will have the opportunity to compete in both moguls and dual moguls, in an attempt to qualify for starts in NorAm events and possibly U.S. World Cups. The top 20 finishers at this selection event will qualify for NorAms.
CROSS COUNTRY
PG/Comp/Prep: Winterstart
To kickoff the season, SVSEF, the BCRD and Galena Lodge hosted its annual Winterstart race at Galena. 80 competitors, which included junior racers from SVSEF, Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) and Bogus Basin, participated in four different skate distance races: 1.5km, 3km, 6km and 9km.
Thanks to the BCRD, Galena Lodge and volunteers for their support of this event!
RESULTS
Gold Team: Silverstar SuperTour
The cross country Gold Team traveled to Silverstar, BC to round out period one of the domestic SuperTour race circuit. Saturday was a classic sprint. Gold Team skier Cole Morgan won the prelim; this was a big win, since Olympic selection is based on prelims, not the final heats. Teammate Kelsey Phinney was second in the women’s prelim. At the end of the day, SVSEF walked away with a number of top finishes in the finals, with Morgan third overall, Jack Hegman fourth and Phinney fourth for women.
Sunday was an interval start freestyle race: 15km for men and 10km for women. Jack Hegman made the podium in second place, while first-year Gold Team skier Kevin Bolger finished fourth, keeping him in the running for Olympic Team selection. The team is back in Sun Valley for a few weeks of training and recovery before they head to U.S. Nationals in Anchorage, which begin January 3, 2018.
RESULTS
ALPINE
With the Eric Hayes memorial race officially moved to Snow King, FIS athletes who are currently competing there will be joined by FIS and USSA teammates this coming weekend. At FIS-sanctioned races at Snow King, Hayden Terjeson broke into the front of the pack in the men’s giant slalom on December 11, taking tenth place. Lily Fitzgerald did the same in the ladies’ giant slalom on December 10, placing ninth. Racing continues today and tomorrow with slalom events.
RESULTS
Coach Interview: Josie Brownell
Josie Brownell, a Vermont native, is now in her second year of coaching with SVSEF (we hope she’s here to stay). In addition to imparting knowledge on alpine Devo athletes and ripping with them all over the mountain, Josie is a part of the administrative team at the SVSEF Warm Springs office. Below, she shares people and places who have influenced her skiing, her favorite post-ski meal, and what she’d be doing if it wasn’t coaching (spoiler alert: she’d still be skiing)…
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SKIING?
Skiing down Easy Street on Spruce Peak in Stowe with my best friend, Ellie, and our dads.
CAN YOU GIVE A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH SKIING?
I grew up skiing Mt. Mansfield in Stowe, VT, starting out as a J6 and skiing with Mt. Mansfield Ski Club (MMSC) and later attending Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy (MMWA). Eventually I decided I wanted a different type of program, so I transitioned to skiing in New Hampshire for the Holderness School. Although it was tough to leave Stowe, Holderness was the best. The combination of skiing everyday, challenging academics and interesting extracurriculars was a really good fit for me. For college, I decided to get out of the northeast and go to Colorado College. I skied on the club team for a couple years and got a taste for the amazing mountains of the west. I ended up here because of a job with the Wood River Land Trust. Working for them helped me get to know the area and appreciate the beauty of this valley. Sun Valley and Stowe are very similar – in size, sense of community and the way life revolves around the ski area every winter. I still feel very connected to Stowe, and go back whenever I can, so I’m happy to have ended up in a similar place where I can feel somewhat at home but explore on my own.
DID ANY ASPECTS OF SKIING HELP PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?
Skiing taught me to be incredibly organized and disciplined. The schedules at MMWA and Holderness were crazy – we had very little downtime, so time management was crucial. This prepared me for my job in the SVSEF office where it can go from quiet to crazy at any point.
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF ALPINE SKIING PERSONALLY?
Skiing has always been my stress reliever, where I feel most comfortable. I love that this sport allows me to be outside, see beautiful places and meet a variety of people.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN DURING YOUR FIRST SEASON AS A COACH?
The biggest thing was patience. Skiing with younger kids, I learned to be content with only skiing 5 runs the entire day. Devo focuses much more on quality rather than quantity. We do drills throughout those 5 runs and seeing the improvement just over the course of one day is so rewarding.
FAVORITE ATHLETE
WHAT VALUES DO YOU MOST WANT TO PASS ON TO YOUR ATHLETES?
I hope to pass on a love of skiing and a deep appreciation for the mountains that surround us.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WINTER WITH YOUR TEAM?
Last March, for Cheeso Day, we skied all the bowls, in order, all before lunch. At the beginning of the year, some of these kids couldn’t even ski down Warm Springs. I love watching that progression and I can’t wait to see it again this season.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
Two things – the quotes from the kids … last year one of my skiers asked me why my parents didn’t get me resort charge. And, the opportunity to connect with the community while doing something I love.
OTHER INTERESTS
Baking, hiking, mountain biking, and crosswords
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES YOU’VE NOTICED BETWEEN SKIING & SKI CULTURE ON THE EAST COAST AND HERE?
Everything in the northeast is on a much smaller scale. I grew up with at least four ski areas an hour from my house. I was in gates and traveling to races by third grade. Here, there’s more of an emphasis on freeskiing in all terrains. I really enjoyed cruising all around Baldy last year and having the kids show me around. We’re learning the mountain together!
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES INHERENT IN ALPINE SKIING?
Skiing is a unique sport because your team is a group of people that become your closest friends and your support system, but you compete against them at every training session and at every race. It makes you mentally tough and self-reliant at a young age.
WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING:
My dog, Birdie
FAVORITE POST-SKI MEAL:
Lefty’s chicken pesto & monkey fries
A SKIER OR PERSON WHO GREATLY INFLUENCED YOU?
I had two amazing coaches growing up – Lorant Gudasz at MMSC in Stowe and Georg Capaul at Holderness. Being more of a tech skier, both of these guys really pushed me to focus on my technique. Their attention to detail and knowledge of the sport is unbelievable.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR ATHLETES?
This is a lifelong sport – if you have one bad day of training, you still have an amazing skill that will stay with you forever. There is so much more to skiing than results.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF IT WASN’T WHAT YOU DO NOW?
I’d be skiing! Backcountry skiing, resort skiing, skiing abroad, back east, all over. I am happiest in the mountains, with skis. You could say it’s an obsession …
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Happiness – I think if you’re truly happy, then you’re successful.
BEST RISK YOU’VE EVER TAKEN:
I moved here right after college, not knowing anyone. It was a little overwhelming that first summer, but I’m so happy I ended up here.
Thank you so much, Josie!
Coach Interview: Conor Davis
A much-anticipated addition to the SVSEF program lineup, the IFSA Big Mountain Team has formally been added for the 2017-2018 season. The program has already seen vested interest, with a waiting list that extends beyond the 22-athlete cap. As outlined in the program directives, the team is geared towards top-level skiers and riders who have demonstrated skill and capacity, as well as interest in exploring the backcountry. With growing popularity of backcountry skiing, this team fills an ever-growing niche. Athletes will be introduced to mountaineering concepts, including snow safety, backcountry travel and avalanche awareness. They will have the opportunity to compete at Big Mountain events throughout the season, and will develop competition strategy and execution for performance success.
At the helm of the inaugural team is Conor Davis. Calm and collected, yet engaging and jovial, Davis, 28, is an ideal fit for the role. His roots are here – he grew up in the Wood River Valley, participating in SVSEF cross country and alpine programs. His interest and experience in big mountain skiing have been supported by the core skills and lessons learned growing up with SVSEF, as well as those developed of his own accord. Adeptness in the sport has taken him all over the world, and spending seven seasons on the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour has given him valuable competition experience. Davis comes to this position with a wealth of knowledge and an enthusiasm to share it, creativity in his approach to training, and respect for the sport and the mountains that provide the space to explore, learn and grow in skiing.
Get to know more about Conor here.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH BIG MOUNTAIN SKIING:
I grew up in the Wood River Valley, ski racing for both SVSEF and for the Hailey Ski Team. In high school I decided that alpine ski racing wasn't for me and I joined the cross country program. I believe that the alpine racing program helped me to develop a very solid turn and skiing technique for alpine skiing, and my time with the cross country program really developed my fitness and helped me learn to enjoy skiing/touring over long distances. I found big mountain skiing my junior year of high school and instantly fell in love with the discipline. I competed well in the junior competitions, and by the time I finished up high school I had attracted sponsors, which allowed me to spend seven winters traveling thousands of miles skiing big lines on the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour (now called the Swatch Freeride World Tour). I decided to take a semi-permanent break from competitive skiing when I started coaching for SVSEF, and I'm happy to have the opportunity to share my competitive freeriding experience with this new team.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU GET OUT OF BIG MOUNTAIN SKIING PERSONALLY?
Skiing has taken me all around North America and Europe and allowed me to make some amazing connections with people. Within skiing culture is a brother/sisterhood of the most positive people, who have not only influenced my skiing/riding but also helped to develop my personal growth.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS WITH THE PROGRAM'S INITIAL SEASON?
My main goal is to have a safe and fun-filled season. This is a completely new program, and I’m thrilled to have such an amazing group of athletes to work with. I am hoping that the athletes will learn how to compete well in the IFSA events, and I would like to see all of the athletes get their Avalanche Level 1 Certification.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO WITH THIS TEAM?
I’m really looking forward to the off-resort backcountry day trips and the overnight hut/yurt trips.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR ATHLETES?
Tai Barrymore once said something to me that has always stuck with me: “Do something every day that scares you.” I like this idea because it’s about facing fears and trying new things.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Earl Nightingale said, “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” To me this means that success isn’t actually achieving your goals. Success is making the decision that you’re going to achieve a goal and taking the initiative to move towards reaching it.
(A little more about you)
OTHER INTERESTS/HOBBIES:
Skiing is definitely the sport that I’ve put the most time into so far, but I lead a very active outdoor lifestyle. This past summer I was lucky enough to ski “The Sickle” on the longest day of the year, view a total solar eclipse from the top of the tallest peak in the Sawtooth range, learn how to kayak (kind of), backpack throughout Idaho’s amazing terrain with my dogs and great friends, and catch lots of beautiful fish. I am also an avid mountain biker, and enjoy everything ranging from yoga and dance to speed flying/paragliding, surfing, SCUBA diving, rock climbing, etc. I also like to read and draw, and there are a few video games that I like.
A SONG FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY:
When I’m in the backcountry I want all of my senses in sync to alert me to any type of danger. That being said, I believe that it’s a good practice to not listen to music while moving through avalanche terrain in the backcountry. I love the chilling quiet of the forest on a winter morning and the sound of my skis compacting fresh snow as I march in a new skin track.
FAVORITE POST-SKI MEAL:
WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING:
My two husky dogs, Misha and Avalanche, usually wake me up every day at 6 a.m. to take them on their morning walk/run/ski/bike and feed them.
BEST RISK YOU'VE EVER TAKEN:
Deciding to buy my cabin in Stanley was a scary choice, but I love living in the Sawtooth Valley. Driving along the Sawtooth, Whitecloud, and Boulder ranges each day on my commute is inspiring.
WHAT OTHER JOB WOULD YOU BE DOING IF IT WASN'T WHAT YOU DO NOW:
One job that I think that I would enjoy a lot would be a whitewater rafting guide. Also I love to scuba dive and have often dreamed of becoming a divemaster, dive instructor or rescue diver.
A SKIER OR PERSON WHO HEAVILY INFLUENCED YOU/MADE YOU WANT TO BE A COACH:
Rick Kapala coached me on the cross country team when I was growing up and he was definitely a big influence on me. Also, chatting with Scotty Mcgrew helped me to decide that I was ready to take on the responsibilities of developing a new program and becoming a head coach.
Creating a Culture of Excellence: SVSEF Benefits from Workshop with Dr. Wade Gilbert
Continuing education is a widely-applied concept; doctors jet off to conferences to learn about new processes, new findings, new techniques. Graphic designers, business owners and chefs alike take advantage of similar opportunities to stay on top of the latest and greatest in their respective industries. For athletic coaches, it’s no different. Educational development in the field of coaching allows for a larger knowledgebase, and the potential for greater impact on athletes.
With this in mind, SVSEF hosted a two-day workshop on October 13 and 14, geared towards coaches and staff, athletes and parents. SVSEF Athletic Director Phil McNichol spoke to why the organization orchestrated the event. “Great coaches are those who view themselves as teachers and are on a constant quest for continued learning and improvement. We are just doing our best to provide quality opportunities for coaches to advance their craft.”
The aim of the workshop was to provide accessible opportunities for learning, and to open up discussion about how we, both as an organization and as individuals, can improve. “Our goal for the organization and staff was to explore our purpose, and why we provide programs and coach sport,” said McNichol. “This is the first step in gaining a deeper understanding of team values and how we can better apply a framework of coaching principles.”
The workshop was conducted by Dr. Wade Gilbert, an award-winning professor and internationally renowned coaching scientist in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fresno. With 25 years of experience conducting applied research and workshops and being involved with coaches and organizations all over the world and at a large variety of competitive levels, Gilbert brought a wealth of knowledge in physical education, human kinetics and education to his workshops in Sun Valley.
McNichol expounded on the level of professionalism Gilbert brought to the talks. “Dr. Gilbert is a leading expert in the science of coaching, talent development and sport organization principles. His work is grounded in applied knowledge through scientific research. It provides the framework to build organizations around a culture of excellence and quality coaching. This workshop was all about what SVSEF strives to be.”
Two sessions were geared towards coaches and staff, and addressed the ideas of building a culture of competitive excellence and becoming a better coach. Gilbert opened up discussion by sharing his intention for the workshop: he wanted participants to leave with a good view of the patterns and principles of the organization and to engage in critical reflection, in order to better identify where and how improvements can be made. He explained ways in which, on both a personal and organizational level, we can shape behavior and mold a culture that is supportive, evolving and moving towards success. Gilbert drove home his argument that in order to instill behavioral changes, it’s the environment that needs to be cultivated and shaped, by bringing to light insightful testimony to this effect. Setting up a learning community, implementing detailed action plans and focusing on the quality of coaching are all key to making this happen. The workshop encouraged discussion and sharing, with individual and group exercises interspersed between lecture segments.
A separate session invited older SVSEF athletes to delve into their personal and team process and journey. It was intended to expose them to concepts and methods that, if applied, will help them improve as they continue involvement in sport. The series closed on Saturday night with a parent-focused talk, which provided access to research and information on sound athlete development. Gilbert started by asking parents why they put their children in sport – the answers varied from wanting kids to have a sense of sportsmanship and friendship, to hoping they learned about how the body works and moves, to simply wanting them to have fun.
Gilbert pointed out, in support of these answers, that involving kids in sports shouldn’t be thought of as an investment – that the return on investment is in the here and now. Statistics show a surprising drop in numbers of youths in sport; whereas 45% of U.S. kids ages six through 12 played team sports 2008, it has since dropped to 37%. In an industry that is unique from international counterparts (other countries have federal resources that govern sports, and along with that, governing bodies and restrictions), Gilbert encouraged an open mind and a focus on the top reason why kids start athletics in the first place: to have fun.
McNichol, who has worked at a national, elite level as head coach of the U.S. Ski Team, has been to many clinics, conferences and presentations on coaching and sport development. His takeaway from Gilbert’s workshop was that it was by far the most impactful he has attended. “This was not unexpected,” said McNichol, “as I knew something of Dr. Gilbert and his material. However, I had not anticipated so much verification of what works in coaching and team management. Nor did I expect to learn so much about the science that is now confirming and supporting these principles.”
SVSEF is continuously looking to improve the quality of coaching, learning, and experience for its athletes; workshops like this one help the organization to continue moving in that direction.
Sun Valley Co. Season Passes
For the 2017-2018 season, SVSEF athletes will purchase Sun Valley season passes directly from Sun Valley Company.
For the 2017-2018 season, SVSEF athletes will purchase Sun Valley season passes directly from Sun Valley Company.- For Blaine County students, season passes are $415.
- Passes will be available at the River Run ticketing office beginning October 27, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Athletes will not be able to pick up passes during the weekend of Thanksgiving – please pick up by Wednesday, November 22.
- Payment must be made before (you can call ahead) or at the time of pass pickup.
- The waiver (downloadable version below) must be completed and turned in at the time of pass pickup. Parents with athletes under 18 years old must sign the form.
- When picking up their passes, athletes must tell the ticket office that they are a SVSEF athlete.
- PG and out-of-county athletes can purchase passes at the college pass rate of $469. These athletes must notify SVSEF prior to purchasing, in order to have their name on the list.
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Questions? Call the SVSEF office at 208.726.4129.
SVSEF Assumes Rotarun Ski Area Operations
Since its inception in the early 1950s, the nonprofit Rotarun Ski Area in Hailey, Idaho, has been geared toward building community through engagement in affordable alpine skiing. The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) will continue to foster this initiative through its recent agreement to take over the management of ski operations for the 2017-2018 season. The organization will manage grooming, staffing, lifts and maintenance in order to continue to offer public session skiing, as well as SVSEF after-school alpine programming with a primary focus on providing affordable learn-to-ski programs for south valley residents.
Jesse Foster, president of the Rotarun Ski Area board of directors for five years and a member of the board since 2011, explained how the two organizations have a symbiotic relationship beneficial for a transition at this time. “Rotarun is the perfect venue for SVSEF to achieve its mission. Without SVSEF participation and programming, Rotarun is not able to complete its mission of providing a community-based seasonal activity facility and offering affordable day and night recreational activities and educational opportunities for people of all ages.” In introducing new programs and increasing participation, SVSEF looks to develop the sustainability of the venue. Said Foster, “SVSEF held its LASAR program at Rotarun last year, and while it was only two days a week for about two thirds of the season, it counted for over half of Rotarun’s skier days.”
SVSEF will be doubling access to south valley youth with the introduction of Rota-Rippers, an additional alpine after-school program. Much like LASAR, the Learn to Alpine Ski and Race program that saw a successful 2016-2017 season, Rota-Rippers is a developmental entry-level ski program for kids starting at five years old. The new Rota-Rippers program will be particularly focused on entry-level and first generation skiers.
SVSEF Alpine Program Director Scott McGrew described the benefits of expanded programming. “We believe that every kid in the Wood River Valley should have the opportunity to engage winter sport, build confidence, and establish a lifelong relationship with the mountains around them. The ability to provide after-school winter programming is a critical role that Rotarun, and its programs, play. For families who are looking to have their children participate in a professional and high quality program, at an affordable cost, this is an amazing opportunity.”
Both Rotarun and SVSEF are eager to maximize the venue’s potential. McGrew continued, “In an effort to keep Rotarun vibrant, financially viable, and culturally impactful, it is critical that the programming is inspired and meets the needs of our lesser-served community. Replicating what is already in place cannot be the vision; rather, leveraging Rotarun’s unique characteristics to expand the spectrum of opportunity for all is the overarching aim.” Foster echoed these sentiments, saying, “The knowledge that SVSEF offers is derived from the fact that they understand what is needed at this location; from how a surface should look, to what makes a hill safe when kids are ripping down the mountain.”
In continuing Rotarun’s mission of serving as a community hub and encouraging a healthy outdoor lifestyle through snowsports, public session skiing will be available with the purchase of a season pass through SVSEF. Community events such as the Arkoosh Cup will continue to be held at Rotarun, with an events schedule and public session skiing hours to be released later this fall.
SVSEF has created the First Turns Initiative, a donor funded scholarship program to help young athletes afford team fees and gear. The First Turns Initiative has a simple one page application process and is specifically geared toward Rotarun programs. If you would like more information about how you can contribute to the success of Rotarun Ski Area and the programs offered by SVSEF, please contact SVSEF Director of Development Cynthia Knight (cknight@svsef.org; 208.726-4129).
To purchase a season pass or find out more about Rotarun objectives and SVSEF programs associated with Rotarun, please visit svsef.org/rotarun or call the administrative office at 208.726.4129.
SVSEF Workshop Schedule: Conversations with Dr. Wade Gilbert
SVSEF coaches and staff are invited to attend workshops with Dr. Wade Gilbert on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14. SVSEF will also be hosting a presentation geared towards parents of athletes on Saturday, October 14; the public is welcome to attend.
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
"Building a Culture of Competitive Excellence"
A workshop for SVSEF leadership and head coaches
Community School Theater, Community School Main Campus
(Lunch provided on location)
4-6 p.m.
"The Athlete Journey, in Pursuit of Excellence"
A workshop for SVSEF Gold Team, Cross Country PG Team, Alpine FIS Team, Mogul and Park & Pipe Travel Teams and all SVSEF staff
Community School Theater, Community School Main Campus
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14
8 a.m.-12 p.m.
"Becoming a Better Coach"
A workshop for all SVSEF staff
Community School Theater, Community School Main Campus
(Lunch provided on location)
2-4:30 p.m.
Follow-up: "Building a Culture of Competitive Excellence"
A workshop and wrap-up with key takeaways for all SVSEF staff
Community School Theater, Community School Main Campus
5:45-7 p.m.
"Parenting Athletes"
This presentation will explore methods and concepts to effectively support, encourage and maintain a rewarding relationship with your child athlete during their sports journey. The presentation is open to the public.
Distance Learning Lab, Wood River High School, 1250 Fox Acres Road, Hailey, Idaho
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Wade Gilbert is an award-winning professor and internationally renowned coaching scientist in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fresno. The professor holds degrees in human kinetics, physical education and education; he has previously taught and studied coaching at the University of Ottawa (Canada), UCLA and Fresno State. Dr. Gilbert has 25 years of experience conducting applied research and workshops with coaches and sport organizations around the world, spanning numerous sports and competitive levels.
Dr. Gilbert has worked with organizations including the United States Olympic Committee, the Coaching Association of Canada, NHL/NHLPA, Cricket Australia, and New Zealand Rugby. He is Editor-in-Chief of the International Sport Coaching Journal and is widely published; Dr. Gilbert recently released Coaching Better Every Season (Human Kinetics) and was lead author of the USOC Quality Coaching Framework. On top of these accolades, he was selected to give the Kristen Marie Gould Endowed Lecture on Sport for Children and Youth at Michigan State University and the Cal Botterill Legacy Lecture at the University of Winnipeg in recognition of his significant contributions to coach and athlete development.