SVSEF Cross Country Juniors Punch Tickets to International Competition
There was a lot riding on cross country U.S. Nationals, held this past week at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska. Results from the races help determine roster spots for Olympic, FIS Junior World Championship, U23 Championship and U18 Nordic Nations Championship teams. The event draws the top junior and senior athletes from across the country, who all have the potential, through their performance, to represent the U.S. in international competition.
Based on their results at Nationals, two SVSEF junior racers (under age 20) have been selected to represent the U.S. at international events this season. Sydney Palmer-Leger, 15, and Johnny Hagenbuch, 16, both posted top-five results in the junior distance freestyle and sprint freestyle races, confirming their selection to the U.S. U18 Nordic Nation Championship team and World Junior Championship team (with the option to attend one of the two events).
“The Anchorage courses featured steep climbs followed by fast twisting downhills, on snow conditions that demanded and rewarded aggressive, dynamic skiing,” said Program Director Rick Kapala. Sydney and Johnny were able to adjust their tempo and energy to the terrain and the conditions, and had solid races among 200 top junior competitors as a result. Sydney was the second U18 finisher (27 overall in a field of 147) in the women’s 10km freestyle on January 3. She secured a win in the women’s junior freestyle sprint on January 5, breezing through qualifiers and three rounds of heats. Johnny, like Sydney, was the second U18 finisher (28 overall) in the men’s 15km freestyle race on January 3. He also made his way through junior sprint heats, finishing fourth overall.
Both athletes have chosen to compete at the Nordic Nations Championship, which consists of a distance, sprint and relay race with the top U18 skiers from across the Scandinavian countries. They will be part of a six male, six female team representing the U.S. Sydney and Johnny leave for Vuokatti, Finland, on January 21 for the series. Their focus when they return to the U.S. will be on the U.S. Junior National Championships, which will be held at Soldier Hollow, Utah, in early March.
Full results here.
Week in Review: December 26
ALPINE
Eric Hays Memorial
For the final day of racing at the Eric Hays Memorial, seven girls broke the top 30 in the ladies’ giant slalom field of 65. Marit Kaiser finished ninth, Cailin Chandler 19, Emma MacGuffie 20, Ella Kopplin 25, Logan Lindstrom 26, Carly Walther-Porino 29, Falon Hanna 30.
In the men’s race, top results came from Matt O’Connor in fifth, Charlie Lamb seventh, Buey Grossman eighth, Charlie Snyder 18, Max Moss 22 and Johannes Liaboe 30.
RESULTS
FIS
FIS athletes competed at Steamboat in a short series that included night racing under the lights. Top results came from Lily Fitzgerald in 14 and Skylar Cooley in 20 in the ladies’ slalom on December 20, and from Erin Smith in the slalom on December 22 – Erin Smith finished 14. Alum Tanner Farrow, who now skis for the University of Denver, finished ninth in the men’s slalom on both December 21 and 22.
RESULTS
MOGULS
Luke Rizzo and Rainey Wilson wrapped up competition at U.S. Selections – stay tuned, as U.S. Ski and Snowboarding has not yet released updates on qualified athletes.
Coming up the first week of January:
Cross country Comp, PG and Gold Team athletes start making moves to Anchorage, Alaska this weekend for a week of racing at U.S. Nationals, January 3-8. For Gold Team athletes, these are important races in terms of qualifying for international events (including the Winter Olympics). The moguls Travel Team goes to Snowbird January 6-7 for Bumpin’ at the Bird, and alpine IMD athletes have an IMD U14 qualifier at Jackson.
Week in Review: December 19
ALPINE
ALPINEFIS/USSA/IMD
SVSEF athletes have one more giant slalom tomorrow to wrap up the Eric Hays Memorial at Snow King in Jackson, Wyoming. Skiers have competed in three races so far; two slaloms and one giant slalom. SVSEF skiers have accumulated a number of top-10 finishes, and one overall podium. In a field of 75 men, Ridley Lindstrom, Matt O’Connor and Buey Grossman went five-six-seven in the first slalom. SVSEF took five-six-seven again in the second race, with Charlie Lamb placing fifth, Ryder Sarchett sixth and Max Noddings seventh. In the first giant slalom, Ryder had a stellar race, landing on the podium in third, as a first-year U-16. Buey had another strong race with a sixth place finish, followed by Charlie in seventh.
In the ladies’ field of 65, Elizabeth Vanderkloot broke into the top 10 twice, finishing ninth in the first slalom and eighth in the giant slalom. Marit Kaiser has had a solid streak, finishing 13 all three races so far. Packing the punch in the second slalom were Jessica Blackburn and Logan Lindstrom, who finished on either side of Marit in 12 and 14, respectively.
RESULTS
FIS
Continuing from last week’s highlights from the first day of FIS racing at Snow King when Hayden Terjeson took 10 in the giant slalom and and Lily Fitzgerald finished ninth on December 10, SVSEF nailed down a number of top-20 results in the ensuing giant slalom and slalom events. FIS athletes next compete at Steamboat.
December 11, giant slalom
14 Lily Fitzgerald
20 Maddie Ferris
10 Hayden Terjeson
13 Noah Leininger
16 Matt O’Connor
18 Jack Smith
December 12, slalom
13 Fitzgerald
21 Alli rathfon
11 Terjeson
12 Spencer Wright
15 O’Connor
18 Charlie Lamb
Men’s second slalom
14 Wright
December 13, slalom
7 Fitzgerald
14 Rathfon
16 Skylar Cooley
15 Terjeson
19 Smith
Ladies’ second slalom
17 Cooley
RESULTS
PARK & PIPE
PARK & PIPE
Alumni
Chase Josey competed in the Dew Tour snowboarding superpipe at Breckenridge, finishing seventh in the finals on Friday, December 15. He was the fourth American overall. The Dew Tour competition was another Olympic team selection event; there are two more such events left. Chase next heads to Aspen Snowmass for a training camp, before another Toyota U.S. Grand Prix selection event January 10-14, 2018.
RESULTS
Travel Team
While teammates took advantage of training at Keystone/Copper under the tutelage of coach Rick Millett, Ridge Dirksmeier, a member of the park and pipe Travel Team, competed for the first time at the Toyota U.S. Rev Tour at Copper Mountain. In both days of freeski halfpipe competition on December 15 and 16, Ridge finished 20 in a field of 29 Rocky Mountain athletes. Rev Tour events are geared towards athletes looking to transition from grassroots to elite level competition.
RESULTS
MOGULS
Travel Team
Luke Rizzo and Rainey Wilson, who both qualified for U.S. Selections, competed in their first event at Winter Park in Colorado on Monday, December 19. Both landed in the middle of the pack, with Luke finishing 27 in singles and Rainey finishing 37. Today was a day off, before another singles event tomorrow and dual moguls to end the week on December 21. Taking into account results from last season’s U.S. Nationals as well as from U.S. Selections, athletes have the chance to qualify for the NorAm Tour and/or U.S. starts.
RESULTS
CROSS COUNTRY
Comp/Prep
SVSEF Comp and Prep Team athletes traveled to Bozeman, Montana, for the IMD season opener. The races did not count towards qualification for Junior Nationals; rather, they were an opportunity for athletes to see how they stacked up against IMD competitors. Athletes raced in a freestyle prologue on Saturday, followed by a classic pursuit on Sunday. The field included IMD racers as well as collegiate athletes. Standout performances came from Anja Jensen, who was fourth overall in the women’s freestyle prologue and first for U16s in the classic pursuit. PG Ingrid Norton was fifth in the prologue, Lily Brunelle seventh and Ella Wolter 10. In the men’s prologue, Johnny Hagenbuch finished second. Alumni Eli Jensen and Peter Wolter finished sixth and seventh. In the classic pursuit, Sebi Radl-Jones was third for U16 men, Johnny first for U18 men, alums Eli and Peter were first and second for U20 men, Logan Smith second behind Anja for U16 women, Sophia Mazzoni third for U18 women and Ingrid Norton was second for U20 women.
Prep Team skiers Sammy Smith and Anja Grover were first and second, respectively, in both U14 skate and classic mass starts. Tucker Smith was third in the men’s U12 freestyle mass start.
RESULTS
Athlete of the Week: December 14
"Athlete of the Week" is an opportunity to highlight our athletes for demonstrating the core values of the organization.
Sportsmanship • Citizenship • Character • Teamwork • Creativity • Passion • Perseverance
ALPINE: LOLA STREET
Lola Street, 14, is this week’s alpine athlete of the week. Lola has done an amazing job this fall and early winter on all fronts. She has managed to crush her dryland training and factor in as a leading member of her volleyball squad. Now that winter is upon us, she is taking that drive and persistence to the training slopes. Lola’s coach Chuck Harris commented, “Lola has done a wonderful job in our prep season and is now bringing that joy, drive, and fire to the training hill. She is great athlete and a wonderful teammate on the USSA squad.” Lola exemplifies the SVSEF core values and we are super stoked to have the opportunity to give her this shout out. Well deserved.
CROSS COUNTRY: SYDNEY PALMER-LEGER
CROSS COUNTRY: SYDNEY PALMER-LEGERSydney Palmer-Leger, 15, relocated to Sun Valley this year with her family. Her brother, Drew, is also part of the cross country program as a post grad athlete. As soon as she joined the team, her values and personality were apparent – Program Director Rick Kapala noted that she “immediately elevated the group, and has constantly engaged her teammates at practices in a positive way.” With an incredible work ethic, a great head for racing and an attitude geared towards taking advantage of every opportunity given to her to improve, Sydney is an example of how hard work pays off. Results at early season races indicate that she’s made a jump from being one of the best U16s country to, quite possibly, the best – she is able to compete at the highest level with the best juniors out there. “We knew she was a really good cross country racer, but what we’ve figured out is that she is a really good teammate and really engaging – we couldn’t be happier,” said Kapala.
MOGULS: RAINEY WILSON
Rainey Wilson, 16, is the athlete of the week for moguls. Rainey, a member of the Travel Team, has been been showing up to training everyday to prepare for U.S. Freestyle Selections. Coach Kurtis Fieguth commended Rainey. “She is always a great role model for the younger athletes in the program. She does this by staying positive, working hard, and having fun.” Rainey is the only female athlete from the Travel Team to qualify this year for U.S. Selections, which are being held in Winter Park Colorado.
PARK & PIPE: CHARLEY BINGHAM
Charley Bingham, 16, is the park & pipe athlete of the week. Charley is always happy to be on his skis – Program Director Tyler Conway testified to this, saying, “Charley is one of the most stoked athletes I have every skied with.” He is out there every day, is eager to learn and progress in his slopestyle skiing, and is constantly pushing teammates and himself on and off the hill, throwing high fives all around.” The SVSEF park and pipe team is thrilled that Charley is part of the squad.
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
MOGULSMogul 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: 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.