Cutler, Josey on podiums and pages as SVSEF's Co-Athletes of the Week
Being able to capitalize is key.
Casting aside any hint of doubt, focusing on the present challenge, staying calm and collected and knowing your strengths can make all the difference, especially when you’ve got just a chance or two to show your stuff.
Two athletes practiced this to a T in their respective competitions over the weekend, making them the SVSEF Co-Athletes of the Week.
Haley Cutler, a member of the FIS team, has had a standout racing season, capturing a number of wins and podiums and showing consistency throughout. The skier traveled to Copper Mountain, Colorado, for the U19 National Junior Championships – a series that runs through Saturday, March 5. Competing against top skiers from across the country, Cutler was one of 17 women who qualified to represent the Western Region at the series. After a seventh place finish in the slalom on Sunday, which was a big accomplishment in its own right, Cutler came out charging in the super G and took home the win in a field of 49 competitors. This title secured Cutler’s place at the U. S. National Alpine Championships here in Sun Valley, March 22-27, which will draw the likes of U.S. National Ski Team members and collegiate racers.
“We’ve been training and building towards this series, NorAm finals and U.S. Nationals. To win this super G is big; it shows she’s been working hard and doing a good job, and shows her training and racing leading up to this point has prepared her to do that,” said FIS Head Coach Nate Schwing.
There is one more championship event left in the series; the downhill takes place on Friday, March 4. Although Cutler is well rounded across the board, super G and downhill are her strengths – with the momentum she’s built, we’re looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
The X Games features some of the best winter sports athletes from around the world, and SVSEF Gold Team snowboarder Chase Josey was invited to participate in the event in Oslo, Norway, this past week. In the men’s snowboard superpipe final, Josey stomped his runs, impressing the judges and the crowd alike with his smoothness and technical strength. In his final run, Josey perfectly executed a double Michalchuk into a front side 1080 double cork and a switch double crippler – a trick that hardly any other riders are throwing down – which translated into a bronze medal for the 20-year old. A large feat, given this is only his second X Games appearance and he is competing against the likes of Iouri Podladtchikov and Ayumu Hirano, the 2014 Olympic halfpipe gold and silver medalists.
“This is definitely kind of vindication for what happened in Aspen at the X Games. The event got cut short because of snow; Chase didn’t have a clean first run, and unfortunately it was the only run he got. He was looking like a contender for that event,” said SVSEF coach Andy Gilbert. “For him to go to Norway and be the top American rider, putting himself on the podium and contending with an Olympic gold medalist (Iouri Podladtchikov), it says a lot about where his riding is at right now.”
Josey is currently at the U.S. Open in Vail, Colorado. It is the longest running halfpipe event, and among riders it is considered the most prestigious.
All The World's A Stage and SVSEF Athletes Have Starring Roles
ALPINE
Haley Cutler earns win at U19 Nationals
The SVSEF FIS team is currently at U19 Nationals at Copper Mountain in Colorado, where athletes are putting it all on the line. Events include slalom, giant slalom, super G and downhill.
Haley Cutler had a breakout performance in the super G on March 1st, winning the race and securing a spot at the U.S. National Alpine Championships here in Sun Valley, March 22-27.
Cutler skied a technically sound slalom race on February 28 to place seventh overall. Erin Smith dug in for 15th in the giant slalom on February 29.
Haley Cutler racing at Schweitzer, Montana, earlier in the season. Photo by Brett Jacobson.
Results, Slalom
U19 Men: Jay Fitzgerald 29-S, DNF-GS; Will Snyder 42-S, DNF-GS; Yuri McClure 47-S, 40-GS; Duncan Fuller DNF-S, 45-GS
U19 Women: Haley Cutler 7-S, DNF-GS; Skylar Cooley 25-S, 19-GS; Erin Smith DNF-S, 13-GS; Ruby Marden 44-S, 36-GS; Katelyn Rathfon 46-S, 20-GS
Men’s slalom:
http://data.fis-ski.com/dynamic/results.html?sector=AL&raceid=84802
Women’s slalom:
http://data.fis-ski.com/dynamic/results.html?sector=AL&raceid=84803
Men’s GS:
http://data.fis-ski.com/dynamic/results.html?sector=AL&raceid=84804
Women’s GS:
http://data.fis-ski.com/dynamic/results.html?sector=AL&raceid=84805
NORDIC
Peter Wolter rises to the occasion at U18 Nations’ Cup
SVSEF nordic skier Peter Wolter traveled to Otepaa, Estonia to race in the U18 Nations’ Cup after qualifying with top performances at the U.S. Cross Country Nationals. Wolter was one of twelve Americans who competed against athletes from Norway, Sweden, Finland and Estonia.
The Nations’ Cup began with a 1.3-kilometer freestyle sprint on Friday – Wolter qualified for the quarterfinals in 26th place out of 44. He did not move on past quarterfinals and ended up finihsing 24th overall.
Left, Peter Wolter in team relay
On Saturday, the men battled it out in a 10-kilometer classic event. This was Wolter’s stand-out performance of the weekend – the Hailey native skied a smart race to finish 15th overall in a field of 41 competitors with a time of 26:14.7; he was the fourth American for the day. Norway swept the podium, with Joergen Lippert completing the course in 24:04.1 for the win.
Wolter started things off for his relay team as the first leg of three on Sunday, skiing five kilometers of classic before passing off to the subsequent five-kilometer skate legs. Wolter’s team, which included U.S. athletes Karl Schulz and Noel Keeffe, was ranked ninth going into the race; the team drove it home to finish eighth.
For full results:
Skate sprint: http://www.suusaliit.ee/bw_client_files/suusaliit/public/img/File/BOYS_SP_F_RESULTS.pdf
Classic 10km: http://www.suusaliit.ee/bw_client_files/suusaliit/public/img/File/BOYS_10_CL_RESULTS.pdf
Relay: http://www.suusaliit.ee/bw_client_files/suusaliit/public/img/File/BOYS_RELAY_RESULTS.pdf
Prep and Devo teams take home the hardware at Intermountain Youth Champs
SVSEF hosted the Intermountain Youth Championships February 27-28 at Lake Creek; the event was a chance for young competitors, whether new to the sport or veterans in their own right, to come together and participate in a variety of races – 270 athletes attended, with ages ranging from six to 15 years old. Athletes traveled from Boise, Bozeman, Glacier, Jackson Hole, Park City, West Yellowstone, McCall, Salt Lake City, Missoula, and Logan, Montana, for the event.
“The stoke was high and as the Norwegians would say, ‘the shape was good,’” observed SVSEF Nordic Program Director Rick Kapala. who served as chief of course for the event.
Saturday was a full day, with a mass start skate race (ranging from .75 to five kilometers in distance) followed by a downhill event (in which competitors ripped down Torin’s Tuck’er) and an obstacle course.
Icy conditions on Sunday made for a fast yet dodgy course for the classic race, which saw a number of falls on one sharp corner or another. The course was the same as the it was for the skate race on Saturday (again ranging from .75 to five kilometers in distance).
Highlights of the weekend were a sweep by Logan Smith in all four U14 girl’s events, wins for U14 Cash Dart in both the 3-kilometer skate event and the “Flying Downhill,” and a podium sweep by the U14 girls in the skate race, the downhill, and the obstacle course.
Two final awards were given out at the end of the weekend; one for sportsmanship, and the other for the overall team champion, based on points. Bozeman took home the Sportsmanship Award, while SVSEF won the Overall Team Award.
Concluded Kelley Sinnott, SVSEF assistant nordic program director, head prep team coach, and this weekend’s chief of competition, “[It was a] great event! We are really excited to see so many competitors from Intermountain out on the race courses; the future for Intermountain is bright! I am so proud of the SVSEF team racing hard on their home turf and winning the Team Overall [award]. Thank you so much to all of our volunteers – there is no way we could have put on this event without them.”
The gang's all here! Photo by John Gorham.
Results, IMD Youth Championships
IYC Skate Results
IYC Classic Results
Flying Downhill Results
IYC Obstacle Course Results
Gold Team
Nordic Gold Team member Miles Havlick has qualified for the OPA Cup (Central European World Cup B) competitions in Arber, Germany, (March 5-6) and Toblach, Italy, (March 11-13) – he is currently across the pond getting acclimated and geared up to represent SVSEF and the U.S. Ski Team at these races.
ALPINE
Monroe Cup
This weekend marked the 19th year of the Monroe Cup in Sun Valley at Bald Mountain, held in honor of former SVSEF executive director and coach Lane Monroe. Racers flocked from Jackson Hole, McCall, Bogus Basin, and Teton Village for a giant slalom event on Saturday and slalom on Sunday, which ran down Hemingway and Greyhawk. SVSEF had 67 athletes participate in the event, the largest number from any one team.
Lane Monroe and overall champs, SVSEF's Colin Hanna and Victoria Clancy of Jackson Hole
SVSEF racers tore down the mountain, earning top spots across the age classes. In the giant slalom on Saturday, Bogus Basin’s Meredith Bromley took the win in the girl’s U8 race in 1:33.56; right behind her were SVSEF’s Lowie Watkins and Natalie Gowe in second and third. In the boy’s U8 event, Jay Blackburn of SVSEF topped the podium with a time of 1:47.43, followed by McCall’s Cooper Harvey and Marcus Brouse. In the girl’s U10 race, McCall’s Lakota Hovey won in a time of 2:05.49, with SVSEF’s Taylor Hovey and Ava Agnew coming in right behind her in second and third. The top U10 boy’s finisher was SVSEF’s Max Meucci in 1:30.70, followed by Teton Village’s Gustin Clausen and SUNNY’s Trace Schroeder. In the U12 girl’s race, Annika Howard of Jackson Hole skied to a win in 1:29.42, with SVSEF’s Hannah Ferris and Tatum Minor rounding out the podium. Jackson Hole had a strong group of U12 boys, with Sam Clausen, Christien Gabriel Woiwode and Charles Hoelscher claiming the top spots. Colin Hanna was SVSEF’s first U12 finisher in fifth, and Cartier Sammis came in eighth. SVSEF swept the girl’s U14 category, with Taylor Dorland winning the race in 1:33.02, and Gillian Simcoe and Bel Clayton finishing in second and third. Bryce Foster was the top U14 boy with a time of 1:28.39, Bo Swenke was second, and Owen Robb was third; all of SVSEF.
Hannah Ferries digs in. Photos by Chase Millemann
In the slalom event on Sunday, SVSEF’s Lowie Watkins was the champion for the U10 girl’s race with a time of 1:17.45. Jackson Hole took the next two places, with Tegan Ritter in second and Savannah Kenney in third. Lucas Broussard was SVSEF’s top U10 boy in fourth, and behind him were Sacha Stern-Pre in sixth and Tucker Smith in seventh.
Thirty-eight overall champions have been named at the Monroe Cup between 1997 and 2015, and 21 of those have been SVSEF racers. This year’s overall champions were Colin Hanna of SVSEF and Victoria Clancy of Jackson Hole.
U12 Championships this year will be held March 11-13 at Brundage Mountain in McCall, Idaho.
For full results:
http://www.ussa-imd.org/alpine/races15/north.php
Soldier Mountain USSA races
After two days of private access to Soldier Mountain in Fairfield, Idaho, during which time athletes worked with high-caliber coaches to build upon speed and terrain skills, U16 and U19 athletes competed in two USSA scored downhill races on Wednesday, February 24.
SVSEF and U.S. Ski Team athlete Tanner Farrow won the men’s first downhill in 1:30.69. SVSEF’s John Blackburn, Griffin Curtis and Yuri McClure came in first, second and third for the men’s U19 category. Matt O’Connor was fifth overall and the first U16 finisher; Ian Hanna was second, and Jake Blackburn was third; all are SVSEF skiers.
On the women’s side, Haley Cutler won the U19 race in 1:38.70. Erin Smith was second and Sage Rheinschild third to round out the SVSEF podium. SVSEF’s Lily Fitzgerald won the U16 cateogry, followed by Allison Rathfon (SVSEF) and Kaia Jensen (SVSEF) in second and third.
In the second downhill event of the day, Farrow again took the win, this time in 1:34.04. John Blackburn, Griffin Curtis, and Yuri McClure were again first, second and third for U19 men. Matt O’Connor had his second win of the day in the U16 category, followed by Bennett Snyder and Ian Hanna (all of SVSEF).
The women’s second U19 podium was a repeat of the first event, with Haley Cutler in first, Erin Smith in second, and Sage Rheinschild in third. Allison Rathfon won the U16 girl’s race, with Kaia Jensen and Lily Fitzgerald in second and third.
Results
#1 men's downhill
#2 men's downhill
#1 ladies downhill
#2 ladies downhill
Trudi Bolinder Memorial Races
Following a successful training camp, the USSA team moved on to Bogus Basin for the Trudi Bolinder Memorial IMC/U16 qualifiers. Rain on Saturday kept athletes from racing; the women ended up squeezing in two races on Sunday for a total of three super G events, while the men were only able to complete two races.
Despite the challenges associated with the weather conditions, SVSEF athletes stayed focused and showed strong performances across the board.
On Friday, the U16 girls raced the super G on Paradise. Lily Fitzgerald tied for fourth with a time of 1:25.14. Allison Rathfon finished in sixth, Ella Viesturs in seventh, and Kaia Jensen in eighth. Molly Milgard was 11th and Libby Kaiser was 14th.
Sunday was a full day of racing. The women’s second super G of the weekend was a strong one for SVSEF: Allison Rathfon won the race in 1:22.53, and Lily Fitzgerald came in second. Molly Milgard was sixth, Kaia Jensen and Libby Kaiser tied for 10th, and Ella Viesturs was 13th.
The second women’s super G of the day saw solid performances again by SVSEF athletes. Lily Fitzgerald won with a time of 1:22.09, and Allison Rathfon made the podium in second place. Libby Kaiswer was fifth, Ella Viesturs sixth and Kaia Jensen 10th.
In the men’s first super G on Sunday, Max Noddings was the top SVSEF finisher in seventh place. Carter Jendrezak finished 19th, and Wyatt Minor was 20th.
In the second men’s super G, Max Noddings finished sixth, Bennett Snyder eighth, and Jake Blackburn 13th.
For full results:
http://www.ussa-imd.org/alpine/races15/U16.htm
IMD Team at Snowbasin
The IMD team traveled to Snowbasin, Utah, for another round of U14 qualifiers.
In the super G on Friday, Falon Hanna of SVSEF raced her way to third, while teammate Marit Kaiser finished eighth. Sage Holter skied to 12th place.
On Saturday, SVSEF’s Buey Grossman won the first boy’s super G event of the day. Ryder Sarchett was fourth, Shaw Dean 10th, and Ridley Lindstrom 13th.
On the girl’s side, Marit Kaiser finished 11th, Sage Holter 13th, and Sage Curtis 21st.
For the boy’s second event of the day, Buey Grossman again made his way to the top, this time in second place. Ryder Sarchett was 11th, Shaw Dean 12th, and Charlie Snyder 15th.
Buey Grossman rounded out his podium placements for the weekend with a third place finish in the super G on Sunday. Ryder Sarchett raced into fourth, and Ridley Lindstrom fifth.
In the girl’s event, Marit Kaiser finished fifth, Anhwei Kirk ninth, and Emma MacGuffie 11th.
Results:
http://www.ussa-imd.org/alpine/races15/U14.php
Last week here at home, SVSEF racers joined in on a fun local race, the Super Duper Combined: the day consisted of two super G runs and two slalom runs, with times combined.
Girls:
- Marit Kaiser
- Anhwei Kirk
- Emma MacGuffie
- Lola Street
- Julia Ott
- Taylor Dorland
Boys:
- Ryder Sarchett
- Shaw Dean
- Will Penrose
- Nathan Gowe
- Nick Maumus
- Jett Carruth
- Ethan Marx
- Axel Hattrup
- Shaw McCoubrey
FREESTYLE
The SVSEF Freestyle Travel Team had the opportunity to compete on the World Cup course, Champion, at Deer Valley, Utah. It was a great weekend for all SVSEF athletes, who are getting ready to bring the energy back to Sun Valley for Junior Nationals on their home course.
Pulling away from the crowds were Addison Rafford, who made it onto the podium in third in the moguls event on Saturday, and Alex LaFleur, who placed fourth in the boys' category. On Sunday, Henry Cherp and Hunter Diehl stepped it up, coming in second and fourth place, respectively in the moguls. Luke Rizzo was in the mix, finishing seventh overall. In the duals, Addison Rafford again reached the podium, landing in third. Alex LaFleur won the boys' duals, just ahead of Henry Cherp in second.
Saturday Moguls:
http://intermountainfreestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/scan0014.pdf
Sunday Moguls:
http://intermountainfreestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/scan0015.pdf
Sunday Duals:
http://intermountainfreestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/scan0016.pdf
FREESKIING
Smooth sailing at Jackson Hole Slopestyle
The freeskiing team brought style and finesse down to Jackson Hole, where they competed in rail jam, slopestyle, and halfpipe events.
Highlights of the weekend were Sara Kope’s first place finish in the rail jam open women’s category and the slopestyle open women’s category, Hanna Blackwell’s win in both the U15 slopestyle and halfpipe events, and Lachlan MacFarlan’s fifth place finish in the U12 rail jam and second place finish in the U12 boy’s halfpipe. Other standouts were Sam Ware, who finished fifth in the U12 boy’s halfpipe, and Joey Markthaler, who won the U12 boys' halfpipe.
Results
USASA Halfpipe
USASA Rail Jam
USASA Slopestyle
SVSEF skiers take in the view at the USASA Big Mountain Series at Jackson Hole. Photo by Reed Snyderman
SNOWBOARD
Big Mountain West Series, Jackson
The snowboard travel team ventured down to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for the USASA Big Mountain West Series. Saturday morning’s slopestyle event brought with it a bout of snow, which cleared up for the rail jam and halfpipe events. Elk Spencer finished 2nd in the rail jam, 6th in slopestyle, and 4th in the halfpipe. Phebe Ericksen won the rail jam, slopestyle, and halfpipe. Aidan Green placed 7th in rail jam, 8th in slopestyle, and 1st in the halfpipe, with a best trick of highest air. (Please see results listed above).
Phebe Ericksen stepped up with a big first-place finish in Rail Jam.
Gold Team
Chase Josey wins bronze in second appearance at X Games
Chase Josey and Jacob Beebe, both SVSEF Gold and U.S. team members, were invited to participate in the first-ever X Games in Oslo, Norway, February 24-28. In the men’s snowboard superpipe event on Friday, February 26, Josey threw down three solid runs to earn a bronze medal behind Ayumu Hirano of Japan and Iouri Podladtchikov of Switzerland. Beebe held his own in the ski superpipe competition, earning 12th in the elimination round. This was Beebe’s first invitation to the X Games.
Chase Josey’s bronze medal run:
http://xgames.espn.go.com/xgames/video/14851767/chase-josey-wins-men-snowboard-superpipe-bronze
Chase Josey in Oslo
SVSEF Gold Team racer Deedra Irwin Wins Birkie Title; Athletes Qualify for Championships
ALPINE
FIS Team
A total of twelve SVSEF U19 athletes have qualified for the U19 Championships, which will take place this year at Copper Mountain, Colorado, February 27- March 4. Athletes made the cut based on results at FIS races designated as U19 national qualifiers.
SVSEF athletes who have qualified for U19 Championships:
Hayden Terjeson
Austin Savaria
Will Snyder
Duncan Fuller
Jay Fitzgerald
Spencer Wright
Yuri McClure
Haley Cutler
Skylar Cooley
Erin Smith
Ruby Marden
Katelyn Rathfon
Alpine Team hones speed at Soldier Mountain
The alpine team (FIS, USSA, IMDB) will focus on building skills in the speed department while attending the Soldier Mountain Downhill Training Camp and Sammis Camas Cup in Fairfield, Idaho, which runs February 22-24. The mountain is closed to the public for the duration of the camp.
“The ski area is just going to be our playground and our classroom. We’ve got an A-list coaching staff with Erik Fisher out of Boise, Jonna Mendes here locally, Will Brandenburg, Phil McNichol, Adele Savaria, Skip Merrick – just an incredible cohort of speed coaches,” explained SVSEF Alpine Program Director Scotty McGrew.
Monday is a fundamentals day, while training on Tuesday focuses on sectioning and full-length skills, culminating with the Sammis Camas Cup Town Downhill. The Sammis Camas Cup is a non-scored race honoring Ketchum’s Brett Sammis, who passed away following a ski accident in 1997. Wednesday will consist of two USSA scored downhill races and is open to athletes U16 and older.
Monroe Cup
Younger SVSEF alpine skiers will have a chance to race on their home turf this weekend at the Monroe Cup races, February 27-28. The two-day event will feature a giant slalom and a slalom event. The event is held in honor of former SVSEF executive director Lane Monroe.
FREESKIING
Colorado’s Aspen Snowmass hosted the Freeskiing Open February 18-20, which featured slopestyle and superpipe. The SVSEF Alpha Freeskiing Team ventured south for the events – men’s slopestyle qualifiers were on Thursday, February 18, and men’s and women’s slopestyle finals were on Friday. More than 100 men showed their skills on the slopestyle course; it was excellent exposure for the SVSEF athletes, as it marked their first time competing in an AFP gold level event (competitors hailed from New Zealand, Japan and Switzerland, among other countries).
According to Freeskiing Travel A/B Team Head Coach Reed Snyderman, the “highlight of [the] trip to Aspen was slopestyle on Thursday with all three athletes landing their personal best slopestyle runs.” Oddly enough, Will Griffith, Trey Potter and Jedson Waters all ended up in 20th in their heats of 35 competitors.
Remarked Snyderman, “Griffith skied well – the highlight of his slopestyle run was a double cork 720. Jedson stomped an impressive new trick, a double cork 1260, which was one of the highest degree of difficulty tricks that anybody was performing on this course.”
In the superpipe event on Saturday, athletes skied a beautiful X Games 22-foot superpipe. Hanna Blackwell ended up in 16th place in the women’s superpipe.
For full results:
https://www.aspensnowmass.com/while-you-are-here/events/aspen-snowmass-freeskiing-open/start-lists-and-results
FREESTYLE
SVSEF freestyle and freeskiing athletes qualify for Junior Nationals
SVSEF athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their skill, speed and creativity at the Junior Freestyle and Freeskiing Championships, which will take place here in Sun Valley, March 10-13. Junior Nationals include moguls, dual moguls, aerials, halfpipe, slopestyle and big air.
Qualified athletes:
Moguls:
Alex LaFleur
Wilson Dunn
Luke Rizzo
Addie Rafford
Sam Smith
Katie Markthaler
Dual Moguls:
Luke Rizzo
Hunter Diehl
Wilson Dunn
Alex LaFleur
Addie Rafford
Katie Markthaler
Sam Smith
Halfpipe:
Ridge Dirksmeier
Alvaro Jiraldo
Harper Mallett
Jed Waters
Will Griffith
George Murray
Trey Potter
Lachlan McFarland
Luke Higgins
Braden Buchanan
Charlie Price
Sam Ware
Hanna Blackwell
Amanda Brown
Liesl Beyer
Slopestyle:
Sarah Kope
Hanna Blackwell
Big Air:
Hanna Blackwell
Will Griffith
Jed Waters
George Murray
Ridge Dirksmeier
Trey Potter
Aerials:
Jed Waters
Joey Markthaler
Ridge Dirksmeier
Sam Ware
Will Griffith
Dylan Mills
The SVSEF Freestyle Comp Travel Alpha and Beta teams head to Deer Valley in Park City Utah, to compete February 27-28 at USSA Intermountain Freestyle Division Championships. Athletes will tackle moguls on Saturday and dual moguls on Sunday.
NORDIC
SVSEF Gold Team stands out at American Birkebeiner
The American Birkebeiner is North America’s largest cross-country ski race, drawing over 10,000 participants to the event in recent years. This year the race was designated as a FIS Worldloppet Cup Race (the premiere international long distance racing series), as races in Estonia and France had to be cancelled earlier this season. The 43rd Slumberland American Birkebeiner course winds its way from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin. Elite sprints took place on Thursday afternoon in the streets of Hayward, and the main event took place on Saturday. Competitors had the option of either skate or classic for technique; the skate race was a total of 51 kilometers and the classic was 54 kilometers. U.S. team member Caitlin Gregg won the women’s skate race with a time of 2:22:44.5. With her fourth Birkie victory, Gregg stands alone with the most wins ever – man or woman – in the event. In second place was France’s Aurelie Dabudyk (the current FIS Worldloppet Cup leader), and SMS T2 skier Erika Flowers rounded out the podium in third. In the men’s skate event, David Norris of Alaska Pacific University was the overall champion, finishing the race in 2:05:35.4 over second and third place finishers Ivan Perrillat Boiteux of France, and Benoit Chauvet, also of France.
SVSEF Gold Team athletes stood out in the sea of competitors. Wisconsin native Deedra Irwin skated to the top of the podium in the women’s elite sprints on Thursday, out-skiing Elisa Brocard (France) and Annie Hart (SMS T2). It was Irwin's fourth Birkie championship. Miles Havlick also had a strong showing in the sprints that wound throughout the town streets, ending up in second place in the men’s race behind Welly Ramsey and in front of Loic Guigonnet (France).
In the 51-kilometer skate race on Saturday, Havlick stayed in the elite front pack and finished in a remarkable 14th place. Not far behind him were teammates Rogan Brown and Ben Lustgarten, who tied for 23rd. Matt Gelso was off to a solid start until a broken ski stalled his race and pushed him back in the rankings. Paige Schember opted for the skate race for her first American Birkebeiner, and skied into 24th place overall in the women’s field. Deedra Irwin chose to race in the 54-kilometer classic event for her first American Birkie, and earned her second victory of the weekend, finishing in 3:11:58.8 over Isabel Caldwell of Peru, Vermont, and Josie Nelson of Medicine Lake, Minnesota. (Photo by James Netz).
For full results from the American Birkebeiner:
http://birkie.pttiming.com/results/2016/?r_page=pdf_results
Sprint results:
http://cdn.birkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SprintResults.pdf
Peter Wolter reaches the international stage at U18 Nations’ Cup
SVSEF’s Peter Wolter, a nordic skier who has been in the program for 10 years, travels to Otepaa, Estonia, this week to race in the U18 Nations’ Cup. Wolter’s impressive performances at the US Cross Country National Championships in Houghton, Michigan this season earned him a spot on the international stage. The athlete finished third in the 15-kilomenter classic, sixth in the skate sprint and seventh in the 10-kilometer mass start skate. Wolter will get to see how he stacks up against racers from dominant countries like Norway and Sweden at the Nations’ Cup, which runs from February 21-29; an exciting opportunity when the majority of his career has been focused on racing the same athletes from Utah, Wyoming, and Montana.
For coverage of the U18 Nations’ Cup races:
http://sport.postimees.ee/
SNOWBOARDING
Payton Bacca tears through competition at REV Tour boardercross event
Payton Bacca, a snowboarder on the SVSEF Alpha Travel Team, was one of two 14-year old competitors amongst a field of established racers at the USSA REV Tour boardercross event at Ski Cooper, Colorado, on February 21. Bacca earned the role of fore-runner for the Nor-AM boardercross races in the days leading up to the event, as athletes have to be 15 years old to compete in FIS-level SBX competitions.
For the REV Tour race, Bacca was qualified in the top 16, and advanced past her first four-man heat to the round of eight. In the round of eight, it was a photo finish for second place – she ended up third and moved on to the small final, finishing sixth overall in the event.
Bacca has been invited to the prestigious 2016 Burton U.S. Open Junior Jam, happening February 29 through March 1 in Vail, Colorado. She has a GoFundMe campaign to help with the costs of the trip; to make a contribution, please go to https://www.gofundme.com/xac6fxzv.
Jackson Hole is hosting the next round of the USASA Big Mountain West Series, February 26-28. The rail jam will take place at Snow King Resort, followed by slopestyle and halfpipe at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
SVSEF ALUMNI
SVSEF alumni made the trek from their various schools to spend the weekend racing at NCAA Regionals at Red Lodge, Montana. The giant slalom event on February 19 was followed by the slalom on February 20. In the men’s giant slalom, Harlan Collins, racing for Rocky Mountain College, finished in 10th, while the University of Denver’s Cole Caulkins landed in 20th. In the women’s event, Sofia Leroux, skiing for the University of British Columbia, made it onto the podium in second place. Linnea Baysinger (RMC) was 16th, Madison Milgard (University of Washington) was 29th, and Josie Allison (DU) was 44th.
In Sunday’s slalom, Harlan Collins again placed 10th. Marc Leroux came in 21st for University of Colorado-Boulder, and Ben Kanellitsas finished 34th for DU. In the women’s slalom, Jordan Fitzgerald skied into sixth place in the slalom for UBC. Jordan Fitzgerald was sixth, Linnea Baysinger was 13th and Madison Milgard was 15th.
SVSEF alum Josie Allison, Madi Milgard, Harlan Collins, Jordan Fitzgerald, Ben Kanellitsas, Linnea Baysinger, Marc Leroux, Sofi Leroux and Cole Caulkins.
Web Redemption: Blaine County Student Season Ski Passes Available Online
Blaine County Student season ski passes for Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation athletes are now available for purchase through your family's SVSEF online account.
Sun Valley Company has set the pricing for a 2015-16 youth season ski pass for Bald and Dollar mountains at $399. While it is the same price to buy a pass from the resort, purchasing your child's pass through the SVSEF helps offset the cost for our organization's coaches passes.
All registered SVSEF alpine, snowboard, freestyle, freeskiing and cross country (if desired) athletes are eligible to order a pass. To order, go to the menu bar on our home page and click on My Account, Registration and Events.
Ski passes will be available for pick up by the general public at River Run Lodge beginning November 1. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days per week. SVSEF athletes are asked to obtain their passes during one of two sessions when the resort will have extra staff on hand: November 6-8 (Friday-Sunday) and November 12-15 (Thursday-Sunday). Passes must be paid in full prior to pick up.
For additional information, please contact the SVSEF office at (208) 726-4129 or info@svsef.org.
SVSEF Athletes Encouraged to Take a Bite Out of Our Big MAC Program
Seeking to constantly improve and evolve programing for our athletes, the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation is offering Mountain Adventure Curriculum, newly designed to complement and offer an alternative experience beyond alpine, freestyle and snowboarding competition. MAC will help athlete's expand their skill set in relation to technical skiing and riding fundamentals, with emphasis on snow safety, backcountry experience and big mountain terrain. Any SVSEF athlete age 15-over is eligible for MAC providing they are currently a member of our alpine, freestyle, freeskiing or snowboarding teams.
MAC athletes will follow the same practices in regard to conditioning, training, and skill acquisition work and the program will have a contact coach within in each discipline. The contact coach is responsible for organizing, communicating, and delivery high-quality and professional experiences in line with standards and core values of the SVSEF.
The fee for MAC is included in regular tuition, but associated curriculum comes with a separate project fee based on participation.
Goals & Objectives of MAC
- Our primary goal as a team is to provide a comprehensive athletic platform for athletes to train, learn, and experience a broad scope of mountain culture.
- We strive to foster a culture of sport and wellness for our athletes. Long beyond the days of an active competitive career, we hope to create lifestyle skills that support healthy living, fitness, and positive physical engagement. The MAC program is designed to provide an avenue for continued participation, experiences and education for athletes who are interested in a wide-ranging experience on skis, beyond competition.
- We aspire to cultivate and celebrate the core values that drive SVSEF’s mission: Passion & Perseverance, Sportsmanship, Citizenship, Teamwork, Creativity and Character.
- We strive to expose our athletes to the rigors and rewards of traveling and competing to locations both far and near. Skiing and riding is defined by community and a sense of adventure. Our goal as a team is to provide age-appropriate travel and skiing opportunities that reinforce the athletic, cultural, and experiential development of our athletes.
Activities and Curriculum
The Mountain Adventure Curriculum will be rooted in skill development with opportunities for athletes to explore the following projects:
- Wilderness First Aid
- Delivered by Wilderness Medicine Institute
- October/November
- http://www.nols.edu/wmi/
- Step One Avalanche Awareness to be coordinated through the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, Friends of the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, and the Sun Valley Ski Patrol.
- One-day clinic targeting high-school aged athletes.
- December 5 on Baldy.
- http://www.sawtoothavalanche.com/
- Avalanche 1 Certification or Mountaineering Skills offered through Sawtooth Mountain Guides (SMG)
- December 19-21.
- This three-day avalanche certification program will base from the Williams Peak yurt in the Sawtooth Range.
- The course is limited to 11 students, with three professional guides
- http://sawtoothguides.com/
- Backcountry Experiences in mid-March
- Day trips to the Idaho backcountry with SMG guides and SVSEF coaches.
- Implement and practice associated Mountain Adventure Skills.
- These day trips will be guided professionally by SMG and will present an opportunity to create, experience and execute “real world” application of backcountry skills.
- Blanket Glacier Chalet helicopter drop and touring trip outside of Revelstoke, BC Canada
- March 31-April 4 (not including travel days)
- Group size limited to 12 students
- http://www.blanketglacierchalet.com/#blankethome
- Preference will be given to athletes who participate in the full project lineup.
- Periodic MAC sessions throughout the season designed to support the vision and objectives of the team (skin up Baldy, transceiver part practice and guided big mountain style freeskiing).
For additional details, please contact program directors Scott McGrew or Andy Ware, or call the SVSEF office at (208) 726-4129 ext. 101.
Photo courtesy of Sawtooth Mountain Guides
Coach Rick Millett joins SVSEF's snowboard program
The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation is pleased to welcome Rick Millett to the snowboard program as the new head coach for the Travel Team. Rick takes over for Nate Farrell who recently resigned to attend grad school at the University of Portland.
“Although I am going to miss Nate, I cannot fault a guy for wanting to further his education," Snowboard Program Director Andy Ware said. “I am really excited that our organization was able to bring in Rick Millett as the new head coach. Rick has a lot of competitive experience - both as a competitor and a coach. His enthusiasm for snowboarding is a 10 and he has the technical skills to back it up.”
Millett remarked, "I am wicked excited to have this opportunity to share my passion and knowledge with these athletes/riders. My successful competitive background helped make me a stand out coach. My first time arriving to Sun Valley, it was obvious to me that Baldy Mountain and Dollar Mountain are amazing training grounds for these riders to progress."
For the past decade, Millett has been the head coach of the snowboard program and park director for the Mt. Hood Summer ski and snowboard camps. He added,
“I am excited and honored to be a part of the SVSEF Snowboard Program. This very reputable program allows athletes to pursue a future or career in professional competitive snowboarding. I am looking forward to meeting all the athletes, parents, and staff, when I arrive in Idaho. I am stoked for our winter season. Let it snow!"
To see Rick Millett in action at Mt. Hood, HERE
Idaho Mountain Express reports on SVSEF expansion of USOC designation
The Idaho Mountain Express today reported on the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's expanding United States Olympic Committee designation as an official Olympic Training Site for four winter disciplines: alpine, cross country. freestyle/freeskiing and snowboard. Click here to read reporter Amy Busek's story.
Results from Spring Series, U16 Nationals and USASA Nationals.
Check out today's results from Spring Series, U16 Nationals and USASA Nationals. SVSEF athletes, like Aidan Green, are flying high.
April 02, 2015
Western Spring Series
The second and final super giant slalom was staged in today’s Western Spring Series on Bald Mountain.
68 started the men’s race, won by Luke Mathers of Rowmark Ski Academy in 1:24.08. The 17-year-old Mathers bested yesterday’s champion Bronson Wright be .34 of a second. James Lebel of Lake Tahoe was third in 1:25.08.
Will Brandenburg, a member of the SVSEF Gold team, was eighth in 1:25.26. Will Harder bounced back from a DNF the day before to finish in 22nd place. Yuri McClure was 25th, Will Snyder 28th, Austin Savaria 29th, Tanner Josey 34th, Griffin Curtis 37th, Wyatt Smith 38th, Duncan Fuller 40th, John Blackburn 43rd, Kristian DeWolfe 47th. Jay Fitzgerald was one of 12 men who did not finish the course.
19-year-old Canadian Rae Swette won the women’s super G, clocking in at 1:29.61. Madison Ostergren of Rowmark was runner-up in 1:29.91. Yesterday’s champion, SVSEF’s Haley Cutler, was on the podium in third place in a minute 30 flat. Teammate Kyla Miller was 12th, Ruby Marden 17th, Ella Pepin 25th. Ava Mazzoni and Teagen Palmer did not finish.
Tonight’s speed awards will be staged at Ketchum Town Square at 6:30-8:30 p.m. There will be food and refreshments and live music by local favorite Tyler Bushman. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
Men’s giant slalom and ladies slalom will be held tomorrow and Saturday. Disciplines reverse on Sunday and Monday.
Following racing on Saturday, April 7, Apples Bar & Grill will host a street party during a very special award ceremony following the giant slalom and slalom. The end of season spring fling begins at 3 p.m. and features music, beverages and food. Picabo Street, named after one of Sun Valley's most talented athletes and two-time Olympic medalist, will be closed for the festivities
U16 Championships
SVSEF’s Lily Fitzgerald stepped up on the podium for a second time at the U16 National Championships at Sugarloaf, Maine. The 13-year-old Fitzgerald was the bronze medalist in the U14 class in the ladies’ giant slalom and 15th overall. Katelyn Rathfon skied to 20th place. 26 out of 43 starters did not finish the race.
Hayden Terjeson was the lone finisher for the SVSEF men today in the men’s giant slalom. Terjeson was 23rd overall. Charlie Lamb and Matt O’Connor did not finish their first runs. Spencer Wright was disqualified.
USASA Nationals by coach Nate Farrell
USASA nationals is a wrap and the Sun Valley Snowboard Team had an awesome time! Today Elk Spencer, Aidan Green, and Tague Higgins competed in halfpipe. Elk, who fractured his wrist yesterday, was riding in a full length arm cast! Unfortunately, he took a pretty bad fall in his first run, and had to go down in a toboggan for the second day in a row. But he's a trooper, and luckily a huge bruise and a sore back were the only consequences. Aidan Green was blasting ten foot airs, three times the size of the rest of the field. Unfortunately he couldn't lay a run down. Tague Higgins rode well, but had some trouble on his alley oop mctwists, and couldn't set down a full run either.
Nationals was a great time for the athletes and the coaches, and Sun Valley had a great showing. New friends were made, goals were reached, and lasting memories created. Thanks to all the parents, athletes, and all the volunteers and USASA staff for making 2015 nationals one to remember.
Rising Juniors, Seniors encouraged to apply for True North Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of the Kalik Family, three SVSEF student/athletes will be given merit scholarships covering 50 percent of their tuition for the 2015-16 season. Recipients are chosen solely for merit, financial need is not a consideration. Last year’s honorees were Renee Shapiro, Grace Gorham and Wyatt Smith.
Here is the topic question for this year’s essay:
Has your experience as a member of the SVSEF empowered you and how will you carry this with you into the future?
The True North Award celebrates the spirit of John Randolph Kalik who found his best self in Idaho. Inspired by mountains and starry skies, he discovered inspiration, meaning and purpose. He delighted in joyful fun, transcendence, gratitude, and love. John was killed in a plane crash in 1980 at age 24. We are grateful for John’s legacy and the Kalik Family’s generosity that profoundly and positively impacts the lives of our SVSEF student/athletes.
Student-athletes are asked to submit essays to Jody Zarkos by Monday, June 15. Completed essays may be sent via e-mail to jody@svsef.org, USPS to P.O. Box 203, Sun Valley, Idaho 83353 or fax (208) 3548.
Olympic Day is a program-wide celebration that features field games and relays for SVSEF team members of all ages. Kids are asked to register for the event by clicking HERE.
news of Kaitlyn Farrington's retirement.
Just learned the news of Kaitlyn Farrington's retirement. Our thoughts are with you, KF. We know you are on your way to bigger and better things. Love you!
Today's the day.
It's been three months and an eternity, and as much as she thought she was prepared for this moment, Kaitlyn Farrington is fighting back tears. She's nervous; more than before any snowboard contest, her Olympic debut or the moment the national anthem played in celebration of her Olympic halfpipe victory in Sochi. Once she says the words, she knows this will all be real. She stands up from the couch in her Salt Lake City home, gathers her thoughts and tugs on her black The North Face hoodie. "All right, this is happening," she says. "Let's do it."
The defending Olympic snowboard halfpipe gold medalist is retiring at 25, because of a degenerative spine condition called congenital cervical stenosis.
"I thought I was too young to hear the word 'retirement,'" she says. "There's so much I still want to do in the halfpipe. I thought I'd be pushing the sport for many more years and try to make the Olympic team in 2018. But the risk of snowboarding in a halfpipe or hitting jumps is too high. It's been tough to accept, but I'm retiring from competitive snowboarding."
There. It's out. Now she can breathe. And tell the story of how a recent fall in Austria and a routine MRI led her here, to the day when she announces she can't compete in snowboarding anymore.
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U.S. Snowboard team physician Dr. Tom Hackett shows Farrington's MRI and points to the area that is stenotic, her herniated disc and the kink in her spinal cord that would put her at risk of paralysis if she continued to compete in snowboarding.
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It was late October 2014 and Farrington was in Hintertux, Austria, for a product shoot with Giro, one of her sponsors. When they arrived, the weather was beautiful. But a storm moved in and two days into their trip, the glacier where they were shooting was closed. She and a couple of teammates built a jump with a powder-covered grass landing and took turns filming one another launching tricks.
Read the full article here: http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12172344/olympic-gold-medalist-snowboarder-kaitlyn-farrington-retire