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 19^th 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.