WHY THE JOURNEY TO GOLD FUND
As the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games quickly approach, Sun Valley and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation are once again preparing to send athletes to represent the United States on the world’s biggest stage. This moment continues a proud legacy of Sun Valley developing elite winter sport athletes grounded in our community’s traditions and values. Athletes like Gretchen Fraser, Pete Patterson, Christin Cooper, Reggie Crist, Picabo Street, Kaitlyn Farrington, Morgan Arritola, Chase Josey, Jake Adicoff, and Jesse Keefe to name a few.
At the Olympic level, talent and preparation are assumed, and National Teams provide the essential infrastructure to get there. What often separates athletes and determines success are the less visible elements of performance—conviction in the athlete’s potential, trusted familiarity, emotional grounding, and guidance from people who have been deeply invested in their lifelong Olympic journey.
The SVSEF Journey to Gold Fund supports the people and relationships surrounding Team USA athletes connected to Sun Valley—their mentors, families, and trusted support networks—meeting each athlete where they are and supporting what they need most. This flexible structure allows us to respond as team nominations and opportunities continue to unfold across all disciplines, respect individual needs and sensitivities, and invest strategically where support makes the greatest impact.
This support is designed to complement the exceptional work already being done by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s national team coaching staff—reinforcing the belief that achieving Olympic excellence requires both a village, and a nation, working in concert.
ALLOCATION OF FUNDS
The Journey to Gold Fund is designed to provide focused, meaningful support to SVSEF athletes as they prepare for and compete in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Rather than spreading resources thinly, the fund is intentionally deployed to support continuity, trusted mentorship, and a visible signal of encouragement from home during the most consequential moments of an athlete’s career.
In this Olympic cycle, four SVSEF athletes—Ryder Sarchett (alpine skiing), Sammy Smith (cross country skiing), John Steel Hagenbuch (cross country skiing), and Chase Josey (snowboard halfpipe)—will represent Sun Valley and Team USA on the world stage. Each has followed a distinct path to the Games, yet all share deep roots in SVSEF programs and the community that helped shape their development.
Fund allocations are being used to support the presence of trusted SVSEF mentors alongside these athletes, reinforcing the relationships and support systems that have been part of their journeys since their earliest days in Devo and junior programs. Will Brandenburg will support Ryder, Rick Kapala will be on site for Sammy and John, and Andy Gilbert will be present to support Chase during the Games.
By investing in people and relationships—rather than infrastructure or outcomes alone—the Journey to Gold Fund reflects SVSEF’s belief that performance at the highest level is strengthened by continuity, care, and connection. These representatives stand not only for the athletes themselves, but for the many coaches, mentors, and programs across SVSEF that contributed to their growth. Through this effort, our athletes carry the strength of Sun Valley with them as they compete among the world’s best.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUN VALLEY ATHLETES & AN INVITATION TO THE COMMUNITY
With the support and generosity of a lead donor, SVSEF has launched the SVSEF Journey to Gold Fund, offering a dollar-for-dollar match of community contributions up to $10,000. This reflects our wholehearted belief that community support should extend to the people and relationships that shape an athlete’s success—beginning early, remaining consistent, and carrying athletes through the most critical moments of their careers.
We invite our community to participate in supporting the SVSEF Journey to Gold Fund, helping ensure that our athletes across all disciplines carry the strength of Sun Valley with them as they compete at the 2026 Olympic Games and beyond!
Support the SVSEF Journey to Gold Fund through the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation. Donations are tax-deductible. SVSEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN 82-0264946
To make a donation to the SVSEF Journey to Gold Fund:
- Click on the button below – this is a unique link to support the SVSEF Journey to Gold Fund.
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Photos: @usskiteam @ussnowboardteam
