SVSEF Rising Juniors and Seniors Encouraged to Apply for True North Scholarships
Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation student-athletes have the opportunity to apply for a unique scholarship opportunity thanks to the generosity of the Kalik Family. The John R. Kalik True North Scholarship pays half (50 percent) of an athlete's tuition for the 2016-17 season. The memorial scholarships will be awarded to three SVSEF rising junior and/or senior athletes based on a simple one-page essay. Winners will be announced during Olympic Day on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Community School's Dumke Campus in Elkhorn. Recipients are chosen solely for merit, financial need is not a consideration. Past honorees include Ben Brunelle, Cooper Dart, Tobias Verheijen, Renee Shapiro, Grace Gorham and Wyatt Smith.
Here is the topic question for this year’s essay:
What have you learned about yourself as a member of SVSEF and how is this important in your day-to-day life?
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.
The awards value the idea of adhering to an inner moral compass that guides one to a life of true fulfillment. The awardees exemplify the core values of the SVSEF:
*Passion and Perseverance
*Sportsmanship
*Citizenship
*Teamwork
*Creativity
*Character
Please return completed essays to Jody Zarkos via email or drop off at the SVSEF office at 215 Picabo Street in Ketchum by Monday, June 13. Questions? (208) 726-4129 ext. 102.
Olympic Day is a celebration for all SVSEF student-athletes featuring field games, relays, a pie fight and the camaraderie and spirit of our organization. It also is part of a nationwide celebration hosted by the United States Olympic Committee of which SVSEF is an official training site for five disciplines: alpine, cross country, freestyle, freeskiing and snowboard.
Miles of smiles for SVSEF's Olympic Day where everyone has a good - albeit - messy time.
SVSEF Academic Director Matt Leidecker to Take Teaching Position at The Sage School
Matt Leidecker, Academic Director of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation for nearly a decade, has resigned to take a position with The Sage School in Hailey.
Leidecker, 42, said he will teach human ecology and math for the 10th and 11th grade levels at the middle and upper school (grades 6-12) located in Hailey.
A graduate of Middlebury College and Community School, Leidecker is a SVSEF alumnus of the alpine program. His last season of racing was 1992-93.
"It has been fantastic to be involved with SVSEF and the organization was very influential for me growing up and I am proud to be a part of it," Leidecker said. "The most rewarding part of my job was working with the kids one on one and positively affecting their academic outcome."
As academic director since 2007, Leidecker was responsible for monitoring athlete's grades (all SVSEF student-athletes must have a C- in each class to be eligible for travel and competition), providing tutoring and acting as a liaison between SVSEF and schools in the district.
SVSEF Interim Executive Director Sam Adicoff remarked, "We are firmly committed to providing academic services and we anticipate changes and improvements to best suit the needs of our student-athletes."
Leidecker said he will remain involved with SVSEF in a "transitory role" finishing current projects, advising and assisting in the search for a new person and/or defining what a new role might be.
True to his Gem State upbringing, Leidecker has many interests and pursuits firmly rooted in the Idaho wilderness. A professional photographer and writer, Matt owns Matt Liedecker Photography and Idaho River Publications, which has produced comprehensive guidebooks on exploring the Sawtooth and White Cloud mountain ranges and Middle Fork and Rogue rivers. He and his wife, Christine, reside in the valley with their two children.
Everyone at SVSEF wishes Matt all the best in his new position at The Sage School.
107 SVSEF Athletes Receive Academic Award
Managing a full-time athletic schedule while handling a rigorous academic curriculum is a delicate balancing act for SVSEF student-athletes. Fatigue from hard workouts, competition and travel can take its toll in the classroom. Being able to juggle the demands of school and athletics, often among those of other commitments and hobbies, is no easy task. However, the restrictions on time and energy often come with the benefit of keeping one focused, organized and able to prioritize.
This year, SVSEF is proud to recognize 107 student-athletes for their achievements in academia; the athletes listed below have “earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or greater while training and competing with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation,” according to SVSEF Academic Director Matt Leidecker. Cumulative GPA implies that the record keeping begins when the athlete enters ninth grade, and the award only recognizes the 9-12 grade levels.
Academic Award Recipients:
Alpine: Madison Ferris, Lily Fitzgerald, Bennett Snyder, Cooper Dart, Ruby Marden, Elizabeth Vanderkloot, Libby Lindstrom, Lucy More, Hayden Terjeson, Charlie Stumph, Ella Viesturs, Skylar Cooley, Cailin Chandler, Will Snyder, Nikolette Sabiers, Molly Milgard, Lauren Ashley Helm, Walter Lafky, Ian Hanna, Charlie Lamb, Keegan Webber, John Blackburn, Erin Smith, Katelyn Rathfon, Matt O’Connor, Wyatt Minor, Max Noddings, Abby Norton, Jake Blackburn, Sage Rheinschild, Lukas DeWolfe, Hunter Kern, Grace Pepin, Carter Jendrezak, Griffin Curtis, Jay Fitzgerald, Kristian DeWolfe, Blake Deilke, Duncan Fuller, Libby Kaiser, Addy Jacobsen, Kaia Jensen, Ransom Bleyer, Wyatt Barth, Anastasie Echeverria, Jackson Swenke, Yuri McClure, Noah Leininger, Wyatt Smith
Freestyle/Freeskiing: Eliza Marks, Hunter Diehl, Alex LaFleur, Henry Cherp, Blake Harmon, Addison Rafford, Wilson Dunn, Andrew Wharton Bickley, Tobias Verheijen, Evathea Drougas, Devon Brown, Trey Potter, Benjamin Anderson, Enrique Dolores, Alvaro Jiraldo, Katherine Markthaler, Luke Rizzo, Parker Nance, Hanna Blackwell, Brody Buchwalter, Lieder Schwartz, Rainey Wilson, Sarah Kope
Snowboarding: Elk Spencer, Cora Kaiser, Landon Moore, Payton Bacca, Aidan Green, Phebe Ericksen
Nordic: Isabella Bourret, Sophia Mazzoni, Kiran Merchant, Keene Morawitz, Joe Hall, Annika Landis, Katherine Estep, Max Tanous, Henry Raff, Emily Siegel, Peter Wolter, Naia Drougas, Ella Wolter, Max Polito, Ellie Polk, Leo Lukens, Luke Brecheen, Ben Brunelle, Lily Brunelle, Jenna Nurge, Landon Nurge, Sarah Truxal, Danny Graves, Dane Thompson, Carter Ros, Jacob Truxal, Ellie Gorham, Cooper Roquet, Loni Unser, River Vorse, Lexi Day, Michaela Petty, Eve Jensen
Accolades Abound for SVSEF Athletes
Freeskiers invited to Project Gold Camp
Six SVSEF athletes have been invited to the 2016 Project Gold Camp, which runs May 1-8 at Mammoth Mountain. Participants will have access to a phenomenal coaching staff, a 22-foot pipe cut off with air bags, two to three jumps, and assorted rails. Athletes were chosen based on performances at the Revolution Tour, USASA Nationals and Junior Nationals – others were selected based on discretion.
The SVSEF athletes who have been invited to attend are Alvaro Jiraldo, Hanna Blackwell, Jed Waters, Ridge Dirksmeier, Harper Mallett, and SVSEF Gold Team and U.S. Rookie Halfpipe Team Member Jacob Beebe.
Alvaro Jiraldo is one of six SVSEF athletes invited to attend the 2016 Project Gold Camp
Program Director Andy Ware noted, “This is the most athletes ever invited from our team. Our athletes and their coaches have had an outstanding season together and to receive this type of recognition from the ‘higher ups’ of the U.S. Freeskiing Team speaks to the level of effort they have given this season.”
FIS Team finishes season at Mt. Bachelor
The FIS Alpine team spent the past week at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, for their final races of the season. Athletes competed in two super G events, followed by one downhill event. A second downhill race scheduled for April 18 was cancelled.
On April 13, the first day of racing, Yuri McClure finished 12th in the men’s super G. Spencer Wright was 25th and Will Snyder was 29th. John Blackburn finished 36th, Hayden Terjeson 40th, Noah Leininger 49th and Wyatt Smith 50th. In the women’s event, Haley Cutler was a big contender, ending up in second place behind Kathryn Parker, an Australian racer. Erin Smith narrowly missed the podium, landing in fourth place. Skylar Cooley was eighth and Ruby Marden 17th.
Another super G event followed on April 15. Will Snyder finished fifth, Griffin Curtis 13th and John Blackburn 28th. Hayden Terjeson was 31st, Spencer Wright was 42nd, Noah Leininger 48th, Charlie Lamb tied for 50th, and Wyatt Smith was 60th. Haley Cutler again finished second in the women’s event. Skylar Cooley was fifth, Ruby Marden eighth, Erin Smith 11th and Sage Rheinschild 26th.
In the men’s downhill on April 17, the top SVSEF men’s skiers were Will Snyder and Spencer Wright, who were 24th and 26th, respectively. Hayden Terjeson finished 33rd, Griffin Curtis 41st, John Blackburn 44th, Noah Leininger 53rd and Charlie Lamb 54th. Haley Cutler bested her previous second place finishes, clinching first place in the women’s downhill event. Erin Smith was sixth, Ruby Marden 10th and Sage Rheinschild 11th.
Full results:
http://data.fis-ski.com/alpine-skiing/results.html
End-of-season awards celebrate SVSEF athletes
Snowboarding:
Devo team
Love of Snowboarding: Callie Allen
Superstar teammate: Sophie Smith, Cash Landrum- Duval, Slader Landrum-Duval, Kiki Pate
Progression Beta/Alpha Team
Most Improved: Caleb and Madison Hothem
Most Inspirational: Zoe Bacca
Travel Beta/Alpha Team
Standout season: Payton Bacca, Aidan Green
Most Improved: Landon Moore
Most Inspirational: Phebe Ericksen
Freestyle and Freeskiing:
The freestyle and freeskiing “standout season” awards are given to the athletes who have made the most of every training session, understanding that their ability to improve depends on their attitude, their willingness, their focus and their effort.
Freestyle Comp Home Team: Erik Babcock, Samantha Smith
Freeskiing Comp Home Team: Charlie Price
Freeskiing Travel Teams: Ridge Dirksmeier, Jed Waters, Hanna Blackwell
Freestyle Travel Teams: Luke Rizzo, Esmee Verhiejen
Most Inspirational: Luke Rizzo
Ron Von Hagen- Defining Success Award: Luke Rizzo & Hanna Blackwell
Nordic:
Prep Team
Outstanding skier: Cash Dart, Logan Smith
Most improved: Jackson Bevers, Kate Horowitz
Coaches’ award: Sebi Radl-Jones, Anja Jensen
Most inspirational: Aidan Birchmore, Logan Smith
Comp Team
Most Improved: Henry Raff, Emily Siegel
Rookie of the Year: Johnny Hagenbuch, Sophia Mazzoni
Outstanding Skier: Peter Wolter, Annika Landis
Coaches’ award: Loni Unser
Most Inspirational (voted on by teammates): Annika Landis, Peter Wolter
Engl Award: Annika Landis, Eli Jensen
Torin Norton Tucker Scholarship: Keene Morawitz
Alpine
Longevity Award (given to skiers who started on Devo Team and progress all the way through the program, presented by Doran Key): Jay Fitzgerald, Kristian DeWolfe, Griffin Curtis, Will Snyder
Longevity Award for the Hailey Ski Team (presented by former Hailey Ski Team coach Nate Schwing): Yuri McClure
Coaches’ Award
FIS: Hayden Terjeson, Skylar Cooley
USSA: Max Noddings, Grace Pepin
IMD: Ethan Marx, Sage Curtis
Most Improved
FIS: John Blackburn, Katelyn Rathfon
USSA: Carter Jendrezak, Kaia Jensen
IMD: Will Penrose, Julia Ott
Most Inspirational
FIS: Yuri McClure, Skylar Cooley
USSA: Lukas DeWolfe, Nikki Sabiers
IMD: Ryder Sarchett, Anwhei Kirk
Engl Award
FIS: Will Snyder, Erin Smith
IMD: Ryder Sarchett, Falon Hanna
Odmark Award
FIS: Yuri McClure, Ruby Marden
IMD: Charlie Snyder, Lola Street
Mountain Kidd Award (given to an athlete who embraces and epitomizes the mountain culture and lifestyle): Kristian DeWolfe
Howard Dean Scholarship (covers next year’s tuition, presented by Peggy Dean): Sage Holter
Post-Season Pride: SVSEF Athletes Mine Gold at Copper Mountain
Zoe Bacca secures a win at USASA Nationals
Fifteen riders from the SVSEF Snowboard Team qualified for USASA Nationals; nine of them traveled to Copper Mountain, Colorado, to represent the program at the event. SVSEF stacked up a number of top-10 finishes. Phebe Eriksen finished eighth in the halfpipe, Caleb Hothem was ninth in the halfpipe. Aiden Green was sixth in the halfpipe and Landon Moore seventh. Payton Bacca rode well in both the halfpipe and boardercross, earning fourth in the pipe and fifth in boardercross.
Zoe Bacca owned the day, winning the national championship in the boardercross event in the Breaker Girls (12-13) class. The athlete won all four of her heats along with the final. The field consisted of 36 competitors from across the country; athletes from as far east as Maine and as far west as Washington convened to tackle the course for the final major competition of the year. Bacca blew the competition away, beating out Vermont’s Ty Schnorrbusch and Massachusetts’ Morgan Dardia.
"With a young team and strong finishes across the board, the SVSEF Snowboard Team looks to be in a good position heading into next season," commented Snowboard Progression Beta Team Coach Andy Gilbert.
Zoe Bacca reacts after crossing the boardercross finish line in first
Top SVSEF finishes:
Payton Bacca- Fifth, Youth Women (14-15), boardercross
Zoe Bacca- First, Breaker Girls (12-13), boardercross
Channing Curci- 21st, Breaker Girls (12-13), halfpipe
Phebe Ericksen- Eighth, Youth Women (14-15), slopestyle
Aidan Green- Sixth, Youth Men (14-15), halfpipe
Maddie Hothem-14th, Menehune Girls (10-11), boardercross
Landon Moore- Seventh, Junior Men (16-17), halfpipe
Full results:
http://www.rockymountainseries.com/mobileusasa/2016%20Snowboard%20Results/
Hanna Blackwell takes the USASA National Championship title in halfpipe
USASA National Championships are currently underway at Copper Mountain, Colorado. SVSEF freeskier Hanna Blackwell took the win in the halfpipe for the Skier Women (13-15) category. Her teammates Ridge Dirksmeier and Joey Markthaler were third and fifth in the Skier Boys (10-12) category in the halfpipe, and Dylan Mills was 10th in the same category. Will Griffith impressed and finished in ninth in the Skier Men (13-15) group in halfpipe. Competition at Copper continues through tomorrow.
Results:
Joey Markthaler- 11th, Skier Boys (10-12), slopestyle
Ridge Dirksmeier- Third, Skier Boys (10-12), halfpipe
Joey Markthaler- Fifth, Skier Boys (10-12), halfpipe
Harper Mallett- Eighth, Skier Boys (10-12), halfpipe
Dylan Mills- 10th, Skier Boys (10-12), halfpipe
Luke Higgins- 26th, Skier Boys (10-12), halfpipe
Will Griffith- Ninth, Skier Men (13-15), halfpipe
Jedson Waters- 12th, Skier Men (13-15), halfpipe
Full results:
http://www.rockymountainseries.com/mobileusasa/2016%20Skier%20Results/
Hanna Blackwell tops the podium
USSA Alpine finishes season at Snowbird
SVSEF alpine racers headed to Snowbird in Utah, where they competed in the Snow Cup April 6-10. Athletes raced super G, giant slalom and slalom throughout the week. This race series marked the end of the 2015-16 season, and the Bryce Astle IMD Intermountain Cup Awards were given at the end of the week; these were awarded to athletes based on overall results throughout the season. SVSEF skiers made their mark, with Lily Fitzgerald winning the IMD cup overall for women. Bennett Snyder was on the podium for the overall season. In slalom he was third, and he won the giant slalom overall title for the season; teammate Charlie Stumph was second in giant slalom. Lily was second in giant slalom for the overall season, and first in super G. Alli Rathfon was second overall for the super G season standings.
The team at Snowbird
Thirty SVSEF skiers raced in the actual race series. Standout performances came from Madison Ferris, who was second in the first super G race; Lily Fitzgerald was second in the second super G, and teammate Alli Rathfon skied to third. Bennett Snyder was fourth in the men’s second slalom event.
“It was a good weekend, with lots of kids scoring their career best point results for USSA; close to half the team accomplished this feat,” reflected USSA Head Coach Will Brandenburg. “To cap off the season, we went to a Real Salt Lake game – it was great to go as a team. This was a really amazing season – if there was a team overall award for the season, these athletes surely would’ve won the team IMD cup.”
Off-season training ramps up mid-May for the SVSEF athletes.
Full results:
http://www.ussa-imd.org/alpine/races15/U14.php
FIS at Mt. Bachelor
Competition starts today for SVSEF FIS skiers, who are at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon, for the Spring Speed series. Athletes will race super G and downhill for their final events of the season.
Team banquets
With the end of the season come the awards banquets:
Snowboarding: Tuesday, April 12, 6-8pm, Whiskey Jacques
Freestyle/freeskiing, comp home and above: Monday, April 18, 6-8pm, Whiskey Jacques
Alpine: Tuesday, April 19, 6-8pm, Whiskey Jacques
SVSEF Athletes Go Big in the Home Stretch
SVSEF freeskiers tear through the bumps in Montana
SVSEF freeskiers ventured to Snowbowl in Missoula, Montana, where they wrapped up the 2015/16 season at the “Spring til it breaks” contest. The weather was nice and warm; the bumps were soft and slushy. Leading the way for the SVSEF team was Luke Rizzo, who finished second overall in the first moguls event and second in the U15 men’s category. Esmee Verheijen was third overall for women in the moguls event on Sunday; this was her first podium. Rainey Wilson was not far behind Esmee’s fourth place finish in the April 2 moguls, landing in fifth overall in the women’s competition.
Rainey and Luke were fourth in duals, while Esmee finished fifth. In the singles run on Sunday, Esmee was third overall and Rainey was sixth; on the men’s side, Luke was fourth, Tobias Verheijen was seventh, Ben Anderson ninth, Henry Buell 14th and Chris Pedersen 15th.
Luke Rizzo cruises to second in the men's mogul event
Top Results:
Esmee Verheijen, 3rd overall, 1st F15, moguls, April 3
Rainey Wilson, 5th overall, 2nd F15, moguls, April 2
Luke Rizzo, 2nd overall, 2nd M15, moguls, April 2
Tobias Verheijen, 7th overall, 2nd M17
Ben Anderson, 4th M15, moguls, April 2
Henry Buell, 6th M15, moguls, April 2
Chris Pedersen, 7th M15, moguls, April 2
Full results:
Moguls 1
Moguls 2
Duals
A contingent of the team went to Squaw Valley, California, for another freestyle event, which also featured moguls and duals.
Results:
Girls:
By Age group: Addie Rafford- 1st F15; Katie Markthaler- 2nd F15; Eliza Marks- 4th F15;
Overall: Addie Rafford- 5th; Katie Markthaler- 8th; Eliza Marks- 11th
Boys:
By age group: Wilson Dunn- 4th M17; Toby Rafford- 1st M13
Overall: Wilson Dunn- 12th; Toby Rafford- 13th
Dual Moguls:
Addie Rafford- 4th; Katie Markthaler- 6th; Eliza Marks- 9th
Wilson Dunn- 4th; Toby Rafford- 9th
_______________________________________________
Twelve SVSEF athletes have qualified for this year’s USASA Freeskiing National Championships, which are happening at Copper Mountain, Colorado, April 9-12. Skiercross, slopestyle, halfpipe and rail jam events will take place throughout the week. The SVSEF athletes who have qualified for Nationals are Alvaro Jiraldo, Will Griffith, Jed Waters, Hanna Blackwell, Trey Potter, Ridge Dirksmeier, Harper Mallet, Dylan Mills, Luke Higgins, Sam Ware, Kyle Kope and Sarah Kope. A big congratulations to all on a job well done.
Bennett Snyder leads the pack at U16 Nationals
Athletes were invited to participate at U16 Nationals, March 30 through April 2, based on their results at U16 Regional Championships. SVSEF alpine skier Bennett Snyder had an inspiring performance; with two podium finishes in the slalom and the giant slalom (he was third in both competitions), he now stands as the number one first year U16 in the nation. Lily Fitzgerald dug in deep and posted solid finishes; she was 16th in the ladies’ super G and 11th in the giant slalom. Buey Grossman nabbed 31st in the men’s slalom, 54th in the super G and 47th in the giant slalom. Alli Rathfon skied well in the giant slalom, finishing 21st.
Full results:
http://www.ussa-imd.org/forums/index.php/topic,1015.0.html
Haley Cutler stacks wins at Mission Ridge, Washington
The Alpine FIS Team headed west to Washington for the Western Region Elite Spring Series, which ran March 30-April 4. Haley Cutler started off strong, winning both ladies’ super G events. Skylar Cooley was 14th in the first event, Erin Smith 16th and Katelyn Rathfon 20th. On the second day of super G, Katelyn Rathfon brought the heat, finishing in eighth. Erin Smith was 12th and Skylar Cooley was 13th. Yuri McClure finished 13th and 15th in the men’s super G events; Josh Blackburn was 18th the first day, and Spencer Wright was 12th the second day. Will Snyder made the top 20 in the second super G, with a 19th place finish. Will Snyder led the SVSEF men in the slalom events, with 18th and 16th place finishes. In the men’s giant slalom, Yuri McClure clinched 17th. Haley Cutler was 19th in the ladies’ giant slalom and 13th in the slalom.
SVSEF results:
Men’s super G (1): 13- Yuri McClure; 18- John Blackburn; 22- Kristian DeWolfe; 22- Spencer Wright; 45- Walter Lafky; 46- Griffin Curtis; 50- Wyatt Smith; 52- Noah Leininger
Ladies’ super G (1): 1- Haley Cutler; 14- Skylar Cooley; 16- Erin Smith; 20- Katelyn Rathfon; 34- Sage Rheinschild; 36- Ruby Marden; 46- Abby Norton
Men’s super G (2): 12- Spencer Wright; 15- Yuri McClure; 19- Will Snyder; 33- Griffin Curtis; 51- Wyatt Smith
Ladies’ super G (2): 1- Haley Cutler; 8- Katelyn Rathfon; 12- Erin Smith; 13- Skylar Cooley; 30- Sage Rheinschild; 35- Ruby Marden; 46- Abby Norton
Men’s slalom: 18- Will Snyder; 28- Yuri McClure; 31- Griffin Curtis; 35- Spencer Wright; 40- Kristin DeWolfe; 41- John Blackburn; 42- Wyatt Smith; 45- Charlie Lamb
Ladies’ giant slalom: 19- Haley Cutler; 25- Erin Smith; 32- Skylar Cooley; 39- Sage Rheinschild; 46- Ruby Marden; 47- Abby Norton
Men’s slalom: 16- Will Snyder; 29- Charlie Lamb; 31- Spencer Wright; 33- Hayden Terjeson; 39- Walter Lafky
Men’s giant slalom: 17- Yuri McClure; 36- Spencer Wright; 46- Wyatt Smith; 50- Hayden Terjeson; 57- Noah Leininger
Ladies’ slalom: 13- Haley Cutler; 29- Ruby Marden; 38- Abby Norton
Men’s giant slalom: 19- Spencer Wright; 27- Noah Leininger; 30- Hayden Terjeson
Ladies’ giant slalom: 14- Erin Smith; 21- Ruby Marden; 23- Skylar Cooley; 26- Abby Norton
Full results:
http://data.fis-ski.com/alpine-skiing/results.html
Mini World Cup
SVSEF athletes raced in the final Mini World Cup of the season, marking the culmination of the race series. The top team for the season was USA, which consisted of Lucas Broussard, Eric Parris, Bodin Lee, Lowie Watkins and Caroline Dean. Switzerland finished in second (Max Meucci, Abel Marx, Alec Wiedemann, Lena Nelson, Scarlet Rixon and Taylor Hovey) and France in third (Jesse Keefe, Zephyr Carruth, Rylan Mann, Chloe Vogel and Ava Agnew).
For individual standings, also a culmination of races throughout the season, Max Meucci was first, Lucas Broussard second, Jesse Keefe third, Sacha Stern-Pre fourth and Eric Parris fifth for boys. Maya Lightner won overall for girls, Lowie Watkins was second, Lena Nelson third, Chloe Vogel fourth and Charlotte Davis-Jeffers fifth.
SVSEF's Janss 2016: Movie Magic, The Reel Deal is and was all that
By Julia Seyferth and Jody Zarkos
Racers in the 2016 Janss Pro-Am Classic came out in full force this year, dressed to a T and rocking the theme of “The Reel Deal, Movie Magic,” as if a Chewbacca getup and Civil War era bloomers were normal everyday attire. Completely in sync with the energy and enthusiasm was a beautiful, balmy setting for the dual slalom races and the celebrations that continued off the slopes of Sun Valley.
Although all participants were winners in their dedication to the spirit of the Janss, some teams were given a special nod for their efforts. Reservoir Dogs comprised of pro Alden Carter, junior pro Hunter Diehl, and racers Justine Kaiser, Tanner Marcoulier, Ben Schumacher and Mike Smit claimed the 19th annual Janss Pro-Am perpetual trophy (below), presented by Peder Monsen, a longtime friend of Bill Janss, for whom the event is named.
With birthday boy and pro Riley Berman and junior pro Ella Pepin, Saturday Night Fever discoed its way to second place. Mimi Griswold, Eva DeWolfe, Curtis Pepin and Andy Cooley were also part of the runner-up effort. Star Wars was third in the overall category but defended their title in the Speed Cup. The Bentley-sponsored team with current SVSEF coaches and alumni Biche Rudigoz, Carl Rixon, Hunter Storey KJ Savaria, Ben Kanellitsas, and junior pro Jessica Blackburn, turned in the fastest combined times during Friday’s handicapping runs to best Thanks to Hanks with John Lee, Steve Brown, Miles Fink-Debray, Robin Sarchett, pro Nick Maricich and junior pro Ryder Sarchett skied to second place, although Fink-Debray was the fastest skier for males and Teagen Palmer claimed the accolade for females. James Bond with current U.S. Ski Team member Resi Stiegler was third.
Gone With the Wind won Best Costume for their unwavering portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler-esque Southerners, with Bridesmaids second and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly in third. One person who was not in costume was Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, who attended Friday night's festivities with his wife at the Limelight Room as guests of producer and SVSEF board member Kipp Nelson. A former airline captain for U.S. Airways, Sully was hailed as a national hero when he safely landed an Airbus A320 after it hit a large flock of geese, knocking out both engines. The crowd of 325 gave him a rousing standing ovation. A film about his life "Sully" directed by Clint Eastwood, is scheduled to appear in theaters this fall.
Best Crash went to Jen Dies and Wes Powell, who heroically sallied forth. The Lee Gilman Builders Most Inspirational Award, voted on by the racers, went to Cord Roth and Jonna Mendes. Paige Lethbridge of Gone With the Wind and Ben Pettit of Bridesmaids won Best Role Player, for excellent dramatization of their characters throughout the Janss. South Park won the Talent Show. Prizes were provided by Smith Sport, Lee Gilman Builders, Pioneer Saloon, The Cellar, Sushi on Second, Grumpy’s, Zenergy, Knob Hill Inn, Mountain Khakis and SVSEF.
O’Gara Coach and Bentley Motors was the title sponsor for the event, and guests enjoyed test-driving the Continental and Flying Spur and taking team photos with the Bentayga, Bentley’s first sports utility vehicle.
Platinum sponsors included Sun Valley Company, Converse Eyewear, Kristine and Stan Baty, Lee Gilman Builders, Knob Hill Inn, Ketchum Chiropractic, Salomon and That’s Entertainment.
Three amigos, Jonathan Neeley, Caleb Baukol and Zach Crist Fastest Racers were Teagen Palmer and Miles Fink-Debray
Carol and Paul Fremont-Smith, Jr. and Michel Rudigoz hosted the opening cocktail party and pro presentation at Michel’s Christiania on Thursday.
The SVSEF is also grateful for sponsorship and support by High Sierra, Coca Cola, Pennay’s at River Run, FITS Socks, Clear Creek Disposal, Smith Sport, Chums, Beyond Coastal, Distilled Resources, Lutz Rental, Avalon 7, Coal, Flylow, Three Little Pigs BBQ, St. Luke’s Wood River, Starbucks, Jennifer and Jim Milgard, Ketchum Flower Company, Cirque, Watkins Distributing, Galena Lodge, Davis Embroidery and Mahoney’s Bar & Grill. Contributions were also provided by Power Engineers, Windy City Arts, CM Copy and Print, Atkinsons, Neecy’s, Perry’s, Bigwood Bread, Wrapcity, Ketchum Grill, Starr Weekes, Centerlyne and BigLife Magazine.
Kudos to Jack Weekes and Diane Moberg for their superb production and design skills on event posters and program, and the team of Whitney McNees, Mat Gershater and Mark Oliver for their video, “SVSEF, 50 Years in the Making.” The SVSEF would also like to thank auctioneer Grant Snyder, and bands Cosmo Alley Cats and Izzy Taylor and The Strays. As well, we could not have staged such a wonderful event without host Robert Cimino, who provided the Warm Springs party venue, or the multitude of volunteers who tirelessly gave their time and effort, including photographers Becky Smith, Kelly Feldman, Matt Leidecker, Josh Wells and Sean Wells.
Of course the event would not be what it is without its pros, junior pros and participants coming from far and near to support the SVSEF. Thank you to Resi Stiegler, Julia Ford, Kyle Wieche, Mike Hattrup, Bob Legasa, Jonna Mendes, Toni Standteiner, Bob LaPoint, Terry Palmer, Nick Maricich, Craig Sabina, Matt Perkins, Daniela Anguita, Adele Savaria, Dan Herby, DJ Hart, Heather Daves, Alden Carter, Reed Snyderman, Wes Powell, Claudia Stern, Riley Berman, Hank Minor, Scott McGrew, Connor Farrow, Zach Crist and Biche Rudigoz.
Jonna Mendes celebrates Lee Gilman Builders "Most Inspirational" award and Gone With the Wind "Best Costume."
50 years strong, the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation is dedicated to the growth and development of its athletes, ever mindful of its philosophy of Strong Minds, Strong Bodies, Strong Futures.
The immediate and tangible outcomes of these efforts are easy to identify; podiums, gains in strength and technical prowess and significant improvements in results are noteworthy achievements, and surely things to be proud of. What most athletes who graduate from the program and move on to new adventures seem to most fondly recall, however, are the memories they made with their teammates and friends. It’s the lessons they learned and the characteristics they developed in their experiences with SVSEF that resonate with clarity in their everyday lives. The Janss is an opportunity to celebrate these ideals each year and to keep the momentum going, in hopes that an impact, whether great or small, is made in the lives of the young members of this community.
Thank you one and all for supporting us in our endeavors.
Yuri McClure grabs giant slalom silver at Sugar Bowl, is SVSEF Athlete of the Week
Yuri, in top form.
Congratulations to this week’s SVSEF athlete of the week Yuri McClure. Yuri is a graduating senior at Wood River High School. Last week Yuri scored his best FIS giant slalom result of his career at Sugar Bowl, California, as the top junior and second overall to 23 year old Canadian Robert Overing. Yuri’s 33pt FIS giant slalom result lands him in the top five giant slalom skiers for his year of birth in the country. Yuri has been making minor modifications to his technique in the ramp up to the Sugar Bowl event under the tutelege of coach Nate Schwing and his stellar FIS staff. “We started to play around with subtle movements with Yuri’s turn initiation and things started to click,” said Schwing. “It was really exciting to see Yuri start to align all the pieces, he is a phenomenal skier and it came together for him.”
SVSEF Athletes Race with the Best at U.S. Alpine Championships, Western Region FIS Open
U.S. Alpine Championships bring top racers to Warm Springs
It was a successful week of racing here in Sun Valley at the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships. Throngs of spectators gathered to watch top athletes as they tackled alpine combined, super G, slalom and giant slalom courses on Greyhawk.
Start lists featured U.S. athletes for the most part, but were dotted with skiers from across the globe – Japan, Croatia, Sweden, Germany and Canada were a few of the countries represented. Among the fields of high-ranking athletes were three current SVSEF skiers and three alums of the program. Hayden Terjeson, Haley Cutler and Erin Smith are on the Alpine FIS Team. Tanner Farrow attends Westminster College, Kipling Wiesel represents Dartmouth, and Teagen Palmer skis for the University of Utah; all three grew up racing for SVSEF.
SVSEF alum Teagen Palmer at the end of a giant slalom run on March 27. Photo courtesy of Becky Smith.
The first event of the week was the men’s alpine combined on March 22. Brennan Rubie won, followed by Kieffer Christianson and Hig Roberts. Kipling Weisel had a strong race, finishing 10th in a field of 57 men. In the men’s super G, Jack Gower of Great Britain took first, with Brennan Rubie in second and Kieffer Christianson in third. Kipling again had a strong performance, finishing ninth.
The women raced the same event the next day. Galena Wardle was the overall winner, while Megan McJames was second and Patricia Mangan third. Haley Cutler raced with tenacity, skiing to eighth overall and fifth for juniors. Erin Smith earned top 20 with a 17th place finish in a field of 43 skiers. Laurenne Ross captured the women’s super G title, with Jacqueline Wiles in second and Anna Marno in third. Haley Cutler was 9th and Erin Smith tied for 17th.
In the women’s super G on March 24, Anna Marno was champion. Laurenne Ross was second and Patricia Mangan was third. Haley Cutler just missed the top 10, placing 11th. Erin Smith was 21st for the day.
In the men’s event, Tim Jitloff stood at the top of the podium; Ryan Cochran-Siegle was second and Erik Arvidsson was third. Tanner Farrow was on point, landing in 10th, while Hayden Terjeson was 41st.
Men’s and women’s slalom events took place on March 25. Icy conditions made for a rough start to the day; a total of 38 women did not finish their first run. Mikaela Shiffrin showed why she’s top-ranked, winning by nearly seven seconds. Lila Lapanja was second, and Canadian Roni Remme was third. Erin Smith and Haley Cutler skied smart races and finished in 17th and 18th, respectively.
On the men’s side, David Chodounsky skied to first, Robby Kelley to second and Michael Ankeny to third.
The final discipline of the week was the giant slalom; the men skied on March 26 and the women on March 27. Kieffer Christianson continued his hot streak, winning the men’s race. Ryan Cochran-Siegle was second and Erik Read rounded out the top three. Tanner Farrow earned another 10th place, and Kipling Weisel was 17th. Mikaela Shiffrin again dominated, edging out Resi Stiegler for the win in the women’s event – Megan McJames was third. Teagen Palmer was 25th, Erin Smith 26th and Haley Cutler 29th.
The women's giant slalom podium, with Mikaela Shiffrin in first, Resi Stiegler in second and Megan McJames in third. Photo courtesy of Becky Smith.
In addition to the official alpine competitions, Sun Valley hosted a Big Air Exposition on Friday, March 25 at Dollar Mountain. Coaches Colin Collins, Rick Millett and Reed Snyderman joined SVSEF athletes Alvaro Jiraldo and Will Griffith and SVSEF alum Banks Gilberti in running laps on the jump and getting some major elevation. A sizeable crowd cheered on the skiers and snowboarders as they catapulted 75 to 100 feet into the air off a 75-foot table. The athletes threw double fronts and backs and cork 7 blunts, among other stunts, until wind speeds picked up and cut the event short.
Video of Big Air Exposition by Kim Garvin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UotBjcmO4kc
Reporting by Idaho Mountain Express (see original article here)
SVSEF racer McClure second at Sugar Bowl
Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation alpine ski racer Yuri McClure, 17, grabbed a second place in men’s giant slalom in Wednesday’s Western Region FIS Open race at Sugar Bowl, Ca.
It was the best ever International Ski Federation (FIS) finish for McClure, a Wood River High School senior. He won the second run out of 96 two-run finishers and placed first among the 83 U-19 men.
McClure has enjoyed success at Sugar Bowl this winter, having placed fifth in the National Junior giant slalom on the California hill Jan. 14. He was 12th in Tuesday’s GS at Sugar Bowl, the fifth U-19.
Other SVSEF men and their GS finishes from Wednesday:
26—John Blackburn (8th U-19). 30—Spencer Wright (12th U-19). 31—Will Snyder (13th U-19). 39—Kristian DeWolfe (19th U-19). 57—Charlie Lamb (36th U-19). 67—Wyatt Smith (44th U-19). 68—Walter Lafky (45th).
Will Snyder also cracked the top-10 among U-19 racers with a 10th place (26th overall) in Tuesday’s men’s GS.
SVSEF racer Skylar Cooley showed improvement in giant slalom Wednesday, rising to 18th place overall of 56 women and 13th in the U-19 class. She was 44th (28th U-19) Tuesday.
The weeklong race series wrapped up Thursday with men’s and women’s slalom.
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Men’s slalom results:
14- Will Snyder
30- Spencer Wright
Racers and pros gear up for the SVSEF Janss Pro-Am Classic
Keep an eye out for a slew of bold costumes and get-ups at Warm Springs this weekend; the SVSEF Janss Pro-Am Classic is back in full force. In its 19th iteration, the event’s theme this year is “The Reel Deal Movie Magic,” with teams choosing costumes based on favorite flicks. Named for Bill Janss, who owned Sun Valley from 1964 through 1977 and was an avid supporter of SVSEF, the event runs Thursday through Saturday. Dual giant slalom races will take place on Friday and Saturday. Teams are comprised of a Senior Pro, a Junior Pro who is a current SVSEF athlete, and four other racers of all abilities. This is SVSEF’s biggest fundraising event of the year, and all proceeds go towards growing the foundation.
Social passes can be purchased through end of day today; passes grant access to all events. Contact Jody for more details – jody@svsef.org or (208) 726-4129 ext. 102.
Hunter Diehl, SVSEF Athlete of the Week, clinches spots at JNs and U.S. Freestyle Championships
On the verge of qualifying for post-season events, Hunter Diehl stepped it up to get the nod to both Junior Nationals and the U.S. Freestyle Championships, making him this week’s SVSEF Athlete of the Week.
Hunter get some air
Hunter is a U15 who has been skiing with SVSEF for many years. For the athlete, this season has proven to be one of pushing limits and delivering when it counted. With a last-chance qualifying event in February at Northstar, California, Hunter earned a spot at Junior Nationals here in Sun Valley, and at the U.S. Freestyle Championships in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. At Junior Nationals, he finished 39th overall in a field of 76 in the men’s mogul event. In his U15 age class, Hunter bagged third. Perhaps more impressive was his finish at the U.S. Freestyle Championships; in a strong field and against athletes ten years his senior, Hunter again brought the heat and clinched 39th overall in the men’s mogul and first in the U15 class. Given that it was his first time at the event, this was an outstanding result.
Hunter finishes third in the U15 men's moguls at Junior Nationals
"It all begins and ends in your mind. What you give power to has power over you." Hunter’s success is exemplary of this idea from Leon Brown; his confidence, positive mindset and commitment kept him focused on succeeding when the stakes were high.
With his recent achievements, Hunter earned a spot at the U.S. Freestyle Team Young Guns camp, a development camp for aerial and mogul athletes that will take place this summer. Only the top three competitors in an age class qualify from Junior Nationals.