Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Names New Executive Director and Alpine Program Director
April 20, 2018
Ketchum, Idaho (April 20, 2018) – The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) announced a change in leadership today, naming current SVSEF Alpine Program Director Scott McGrew Executive Director. McGrew succeeds longtime SVSEF proponent and current Executive Director Sam Adicoff, who has tendered his resignation, effective June 30. Involved with SVSEF in multiple capacities since his move to Ketchum 18 years ago, Adicoff will continue to support the organization on a volunteer basis, and will help ensure a smooth transition.
Sam Adicoff has been involved with SVSEF since his family relocated to the Wood River Valley from California in 2000. His three children participated in SVSEF programming, and Adicoff joined the Board of Directors in July 2011. He served as Treasurer and Board Chair, stepping down from board duties in 2016 to become Interim Executive Director in May. In January 2017, the Board appointed Adicoff to the position of Executive Director. In this leadership role, Adicoff’s dedication to the organization, success in increasing communications with parents, staff and the community and implementation of various process improvements have continued to serve the organization and its 678 athletes.
“I have enjoyed working with the athletes, parents, Board of Directors, and especially our very dedicated staff, who are the real heroes of the organization,” said Adicoff. “I am ecstatic that the Board has selected Scotty to succeed me. He brings an extremely strong work ethic, organization knowledge and incredible passion to the position. I am confident he will be successful leading SVSEF for many years to come.”
“Sam has been an integral part of SVSEF for many years, and provided strong leadership and countless contributions, originally as the Board Chair and then as Executive Director,” said Jim DeWolfe, current Board Chair. “Sam’s tireless commitment has served to deepen our strategic relationships throughout the Valley and comprehensively organize the financial structure, and has provided keen oversight for administrative and programming initiatives. Sam will be missed on a day-to-day basis, however he will provide important guidance as Scotty takes the reins, and will remain a valuable advisor to the Foundation.”
In a meeting on Thursday, April 19, the SVSEF Board of Directors appointed Scott McGrew, who has extensive ties to the organization, to the position of Executive Director.
“Scotty brings a level of passion and commitment to SVSEF that is unparalleled,” remarked Board Chair Jim DeWolfe. “He is highly regarded throughout the Wood River
Valley, and will provide strong leadership for years to come as we strive to improve the Foundation’s programming from grassroots initiatives to the most elite competitive levels.”
“I’m honored to be selected as the SVSEF’s executive director,” said McGrew. “For the past 15 years that I’ve been professionally involved with the organization, I’ve seen a magnificent amount of evolution and change. I’m excited to steward that continued evolution as we work to provide impactful and transformative experiences for our community. SVSEF has a long-standing heritage of excellence through sport, and I’m excited to build on that heritage and further define SVSEF as one of the highest regarded winter sports clubs in the country. Thank you to Sam Adicoff and all the previous EDs and coaches who have built an amazing launch point for the future of the club. “
McGrew has been involved with SVSEF since its early days. He was a member of the alpine program from the age of eight until he graduated high school, gaining important perspective that would prove invaluable when he returned years later. McGrew attended the University of New Mexico, where he earned two B.S. degrees in biochemistry and cultural anthropology. He later pursued a graduate degree, earning a Master of Business Administration from Boise State University in October 2016. Seven years after the close of his career as an athlete with SVSEF, McGrew rejoined the organization in a new capacity – as a coach. McGrew quickly moved up through the ranks, serving first as an assistant FIS coach and then as a head coach. He assumed the role of Assistant Alpine Program Director, and most recently Alpine Program Director, a title he has held since 2014. McGrew oversees the largest SVSEF program; with over 300 alpine athletes and 45 coaches, there are a lot of moving parts. McGrew has worked to grow South Valley initiatives, implemented numerous programmatic changes resulting in accelerated growth and professionalism of the team and generated and nurtured support for the organization as a whole. McGrew’s professionalism, depth of knowledge and enthusiasm and passion for SVSEF and the heritage of this community are qualities that will lend themselves to his new role as Executive Director.
McGrew lives in Hailey, Idaho, with his wife, Sirimukh, and their three children.
With the appointment of McGrew to Executive Director, SVSEF is pleased to welcome Will Brandenburg back to the organization as Alpine Program Director. Brandenburg will step into the position with a broad range of relevant industry experience. Hailing from Walla Walla, Washington, Brandenburg grew up racing with the Spokane Ski Racing Association and Schweitzer Mountain before being named to the U.S. Development Team in 2006. He was a member of the U.S. National Team for the 2010 Winter Olympics, with a top finish of 10th place in the super combined. Brandenburg has experience on the World Cup circuit as well, with a best finish of sixth in the slalom at Kranjska Gora in 2012. In 2013, he finished first in the combined at U.S. Alpine Championships. Shifting to a career in coaching, Brandenburg joined SVSEF in 2015 as the USSA Team Head Coach, and was most recently the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Western Region Coach from 2017-2018.
“SVSEF is extremely excited to have Will Brandenburg return to and lead the alpine program,” said SVSEF Athletic Director Phil McNichol. “His experience as a World Cup and Olympic athlete, combined with his coaching success both at SVSEF and the Western Region is a powerful combination.”
In other personnel changes, SVSEF Athletic Director and Interim Mogul Program Director Phil McNichol will be moving onto new opportunities, and has tendered his resignation, effective June 30. With organizational restructuring, the Athletic Director position will be eliminated. McNichol joined SVSEF in 2014 as Alpine Technical Director. In his expanded role as Athletic Director, which he assumed at the start of the 2016-2017 season, he oversaw all athletic programs and helped guide the growth of the organization, tackling initiatives pertaining to coaches, travel and programmatic strategy and objectives. Before SVSEF, McNichol led the U.S. Men’s Alpine Team for 11 years.
Also leaving the organization at the end of June is Jody Zarkos, who currently serves as Director of Events and Community Relations. Zarkos joined SVSEF in 2011, and has held numerous roles for the organization throughout her tenure. Her work in fundraising efforts has contributed to the continued success of SVSEF programs, and has helped make possible the subsidization of team costs for all participating athletes.
About SVSEF
52 years strong, the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) provides year-round ski and snowboard training and competitive opportunities for 20% of Wood River Valley youth in Ketchum, Idaho. The driving philosophy behind SVSEF is to create a positive, fun and productive environment that inspires each one of our athletes to meet his or her fullest potential. Team members acquire the tools for success, not only in their winter sport, but also in the pursuit of their ultimate goals and dreams. In the 2017-2018 season, SVSEF supported 678 student-athletes across alpine, big mountain, cross country, mogul, freeskiing and snowboarding teams. SVSEF has achieved numerous accolades; the organization was named USSA Club of the Year in 1999, was given USOC Olympic & Paralympic Training Site designation, first in cross country in 2012 and then in all disciplines in 2015, and was upgraded from silver to gold USSA club status in 2017.
Contact Us
If you have questions, please contact the SVSEF office at 208.726.4129, or jseyferth@svsef.org.
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Week in Review: April 10
PARK & PIPE
USASA Nationals, Snowboarding (April 5)
On the fifth and final day of USASA Nationals for Snowboarding, Nico Lerner finished eighth in boardercross. Nico put together a great week of riding, finishing near the top of his field in every discipline (halfpipe-5, slopestyle-4, giant slalom-2, slalom-2, boardercross-8). He really stepped up to the challenge that comes with competing on a grander stage that normal, winning the Grommet age class overall title at USASA Nationals. The coaching staff is extremely proud of how hard Nico has worked all season to get to this point; he came to Nationals prepared and rode with composure and passion, and the results showed. In the halfpipe on day five, Jack Verhaeghe finished ninth for breaker (12-13) boys, Sebastian Lerner was 11th for menehune (10-11) boys and Caleb Hothem was 16th in the same age class. Jack was ninth overall based on all results throughout the week for his age group. (View results from days one through four here).
FULL RESULTS
USASA Nationals, Freeskiing
USASA Nationals continued with freekiing. Walker Woodring and Barrett Beyer went one and two for ruggies (7 and under) in slopestyle. In the freeski open slopestyle, Will Griffith was 25th and Ryan Dobi 35th. In the halfpipe, Ridge Dirksmeier took the win for freeski youth (14-15), and Joey Markthaler was second. For freeski menehune (10-11), Ben Fethke walked away win the win, and Zeppelin Pilaro and Easton Turck were 40th and 43rd. In the rail jam event, Will Griffith finished fifth for the open class, and Ryan Dobi was 16th. Barrett Beyer came in 12th for the ruggies (7 and under) rail jam. Ben Fethke and Easton Turck both competed in slopestyle for menehune boys on Tuesday (results forthcoming).
There is one more day left, with SVSEF athletes competing in slopestyle and halfpipe.
FULL RESULTS
ALPINE
Western Region Spring Series, Mammoth
Fresh off of Junior Championships, FIS athletes jetted to Mammoth for Western Region Spring Series. (Click here for a review of days one through three).
On the final day of racing, Lily Fitzgerald again led the girls, coming in fifth in the giant slalom. Alli Rathfon was ninth, Maddie Ferris was 11th, Erin Smith 12th, Skylar Cooley 24th and Elizabeth Vanderkloot 26th. For the men’s giant slalom, Jack Smith had an impressive finish in third. Jake Blackburn finished fifth, Hayden Terjeson eighth, Max Noddings 12th, Spencer Wright 14th, and Noah Leininger 18th for a successful end to the series.
FULL RESULTS
U14 Spring Project
SVSEF skiers participated in the IMD U14 Spring Project at Grand Targhee. According to U.S. Ski and Snowboard, “the project is designed to focus on bringing the best IMD athletes and IMD coaches together to enhance their skill development and build friendships with fellow IMD athletes.” The top 15 athletes born in 2005 and top five born in 2006 per gender were invited to attend. Max Meucci, Cole Curci, Zephyr Carruth, Tommy Normand, Reece Walther-Porino, Asia Angel, Ruby Crist, Charlotte Davis-Jeffers and Natalie Gowe represented SVSEF.
Gary Black Jr. Memorial Race
SVSEF hosted the second annual Gary Black Jr. Memorial, formerly called the Hobson Memorial. The race is named of the late Gary Black Jr., who was a former SVSEF board member and a big supporter of the organization and of alpine skiing. The race was a dual giant slalom, with athletes taking two runs and ranked on their best run. Costumes were encouraged, and SVSEF skiers came out in full force – rainbows, unicorns, and Harry Potter could be spotted speeding down the course.
In the girls U8 category, the top three racers were Bianca Smith, Jasmine Smiley and Savannah Pringle. In the U10 category, Reese Kelley was first, Frances Goodyear second and Skye Pringle third. For U12s, Taylor Hovey finished on the top podium spot, followed by Ella Shaughnessy and Rowan Desler. Maya Lightner was first for U14s, Anabel Viesturs second and Goldie Kirk third.
Wyatt Limburg led U8 boys, with Declan O’Toole in second and Finn O’Donnell in third. Like his sister, Tommy Hovey won his age class (U10). Will Lamoureaux took silver and Charlie Reid bronze. Will Kogelmann won for U12s, followed by Paxton Sammis and twin brother Drew Kogelmann. In the U14 age class, Jesse Keefe took the win, followed by Bryce Kanowsky and James Wright.
The day ended with awards and a barbeque – thanks to the Ciminos for their generosity in letting us use their space.
FULL RESULTS
PHOTOS
Snow Cup/Last Chance
SVSEF opted to forgo the first slalom of the Snowbird Snow Cup, and competed in their first race on Sunday. Buey Grossman charged to third in the field of over 100 athletes. Max Moss was 32nd, Finn Mallinen 38th, Nils Galloway 40th, Carter Sammis 48th, Shaw McCoubrey 68th, Ethan Marx 71st, Taylor Rixon 79th, Nico Gaggero 81st and Robbie Cullen 82nd.
For women, Merumo Ishimaru was the top finisher for the day, both for SVSEF and overall. She had a combined time of 1:36.50. Sage Curtis finished 19th, Emma MacGuffife 26th, Carly Walther-Porino 33rd, Falon Hanna 37th, Anhwei Kirk 38th, Hannah Ferris 42nd, Agnes Kind 47th and Tatum Minor 74th.
FULL RESULTS
Week in Review: April 4
PARK & PIPE
SVSEF’s Payton Bacca made a stop at Ski Cooper for the Hole Shot Rev Tour before heading to Copper for USASA Nationals. In the snowboardcross events on March 28 and 29, she finished 24th and 25th overall.
Full results
USASA Nationals
The culmination of the snowboard and freeski seasons comes in the form of USASA Nationals, held this year at Copper in Colorado. The snowboard events began March 31, and wrap up April 6. Skiing picks up, and events run April 7-11. SVSEF has nine snowboard and nine freeski athletes competing.
In the boardercross on April 1, Payton Bacca finished 21st in the women’s open class of 31 athletes. In the halfpipe on the same day, Nico Lerner took fifth for snowboard grommet (8-9) boys. Julian Gluck was ninth overall in a large field of 60 competitors in the snowboard junior (16-17) men’s slopestyle. Jack Verhaeghe also had a strong result in the breaker (12-13) boys giant slalom, finishing 19th in a field of 59 athletes.
SVSEF athletes competed in halfpipe, slopestyle and slalom events on April 2. Madison Hothem was 11th for snowboard breaker (12-13) girls in the halfpipe, and Channing Curci was 12th for snowboard youth (14-15). Nico Lerner was fourth for grommet (8-9) boys for slopestyle, and Jack Verhaeghe was 14th for breaker (12-13) boys in the slalom.
In April 3 events, Nico Lerner led the way for SVSEF, landing on the podium in second place for snowboard grommet (8-9) boys in the giant slalom. Madison Hothem came in 21st for breaker girls in slopestyle, Channing Curci finished 14th for youth (14-15) girls, Jack Verhaeghe was 12th for snowboard breaker boys in boardercross and Caleb Hothem had a great day, finishing sixth in a field of 70 competitors for snowboard menehune (10-11) boys in boardercross.
On April fourth, Nico Lerner again took silver, this time in the grommet (8-9) boys slalom. Jack Verhaeghe was 17th out of 92 12-13 year old boys in slopestyle, Sebastian Lerner was 24th out of 75 10-11 year old boys in the same discipline, and teammate Caleb Hothem was 32nd in the same 10-11 age group. Madison Hothem had a solid result, coming in eighth in the breaker (12-13) girls boardercross. Zoe Bacca did as well, riding to fifth for snowboard youth (14-15) girls in boardercross, and Channing Curci was 31st.
Full results
ALPINE
Alpine Junior Championships
SVSEF FIS skier Alli Rathfon had a great first day at Alpine Junior Championships, finishing eighth in the nation in the super G. Read the full recap of three days of racing and festivities, hosted by SVSEF, here.
Full results
Western Region Spring Series
Fresh off of Junior Championships, FIS athletes jetted to Mammoth for Western Region Spring Series. Lily Fitzgerald started the series off right, stepping onto the slalom podium in third behind AJ Hurt and Keely Cashman. Erin Smith had a good race, as well, finishing seventh, and Madison Ferris was 13th. Bennett Snyder (4th), John Blackburn (5th) and Spencer Wright (7th) all made the men’s top 10 in the slalom. Hayden Terjeson was 14th, Max Noddings 18th and Jake Blackburn 21st.
In the second slalom, Lily Fitzgerald and Erin Smith went eight and 10, Skylar Cooley was 14th, and Elizabeth Vanderkloot 23rd. SVSEF went 5-6-7 with Spencer Wright in fifth, Bennett Snyder sixth and Hayden Terjeson seventh. Jake Blackburn was 10th, making the count four out of the top 10 skiers.
In the April 4th giant slalom, Lily Fitzgerald was just out of medal contention in fourth. Alli Rathfon skied to eighth, Erin Smith to ninth, Madison Ferris to 12th and Skylar Cooley to 24th. For men, John Blackburn podiumed in second and Jack Smith was fourth. Hayden Terjeson finished eighth, Jake Blackburn 14th, Bennett Snyder 16th, Max Noddings 23rd and Spencer Wright 40th.
U16 National Championships
Competition for U16 Nationals opened up with the super G at Mission Ridge. Ryder Sarchett led SVSEF men in 19th, followed by Charlier Snyder in 20th, Finn Mallinen in 29th, Ridley Lindstrom in 37th and Buey Grossman in 40th.
Ryder Sarchett dominated the next two days, winning both the giant slalom and the slalom. Buey Grossman was 10th in the giant slalom, Ridley Lindstrom 23rd and Charlie Snyder 28th. SVSEF put three men in the top 10 in the slalom the next day, with Ryder in first, Buey Grossman skiing to fifth and Ridley Lindstrom to eighth. Charlie Snyder was 17th in the same race.
In the dual slalom, the final event, Ridley Lindstrom placed 28th, Buey Grossman 30th, Ryder Sarchett 32nd, Charlie Snyder 34th and Finn Mallinen 46th.
For women, Marit Kaiser tied for 38th in the super G, finished 29th in the slalom, 19th in the giant slalom and 40th in the dual slalom.
Week in Review: March 27
ALPINE
USSA
The SVSEF USSA Team has seven athletes who have qualified for U16 Nationals, to be held at Mission Ridge, Washington, March 30th-April 4th. The athletes who have qualified are Marit Kaiser, Ryder Sarchett, Charlie Snyder, Ridley Lindstrom, Finn Mallinen, Josh Blackburn, and Buey Grossman.
U16 Western Region Championships, Alyeska
SVSEF USSA athletes impressed at U16 Western Region Championships in Alyeska, Alaska, walking away with a number of podiums and top-10s throughout the series. Ryder Sarchett was the overall men’s winner, with two overwhelming victories and a third place, to boot.
Prior to three days of racing, athletes completed SkillsQuest, a U.S. Ski and Snowboard program focusing on improving abilities over a range of activities. Athletes had combined scores from an off piste freeski, hourglass, lane change and an outside ski turn – Buey Grossman and Marit Kaiser had top-10 scores, with Buey having the third best score for men and Marit the fourth best for women.
In the men’s giant slalom, Ryder Sarchett won by two seconds, and Ridley Lindstrom had the best giant slalom race of his career, finishing third. Buey Grossman was fourth, Charlie Snyder 13th and Finn Mallinen 18th. Josh Blackburn and Max Moss did not finish. On the same day, women competed in the slalom. SVSEF had two finishers in the top 10, with Marit Kaiser in ninth and Sage Curtis in 10th, meaning SVSEF had five athletes in the top 10 across men and women’s competition for the day. Carly Walther-Porino was 15th, Emma MacGuffie 45th, Anhwei Kirk 49th and Falon Hanna 53rd.
The men tackled the slalom the next day, with Ryder Sarchett again topping the podium, this time with an even larger lead of over three seconds. Charlie Snyder was fourth overall. Josh Blackburn won the Hard Charger award for the race, starting 63rd and moving into 11th. Finn Mallinen was 15th. In the women’s giant slalom race on the same day, Merumo Ishimaru skied to fifth, Marit Kaiser to 16th, Sage Curtis to 30th and Carly Walther-Porino to 32nd. Falon Hanna tied for 48th, as did Anhwei Kirk for 52nd, and Emma MacGuffie finished 54th.
The final event of the series was the super G – SVSEF kept plowing along, with two athletes on the podium. Charlie Snyder had a great race and finished second, and Ryder Sarchett upped his podium count to three with a third place finish. Finn Mallinen was eighth and Ridley Lindstrom ninth, putting four boys in the top 10. Josh Blackburn was 11th, Buey Grossman 15th and Max Moss 36th. In the women’s event, Marit Kaiser skied to 11th, Sage Curtis to 13th and Falon Hanna to 22nd. Merumo Ishimaru finished 35th, Emma MacGuffie 39th and Anhwei Kirk 47th.
Full results
FIS, Alumni
Nationals
With fluctuations in temperatures and precipitation, Nationals in Sun Valley were touch-and-go, and SVSEF athletes took the adjustments in stride. For a number of them, this was their first Nationals. Alumnus Haley Cutler, who now skis for the University of New Mexico, skied near the top of the field in the super G, finishing sixth on March 21 and fifth on March 23. Erin Smith’s best finish was 17th in the super G, while Lily Fitzgerald’s was 20th in the alpine combined. Alumni Kipling Weisel and Tanner Farrow went back and forth throughout the week; in the March 21 super G, Tanner was 11th and Kipling 13th, and they finished 11th and 12th in the alpine combined. Similarly, in the March 23 super G, Kipling skied to 15th and Tanner to 16th. Jack Smith found his stride in the March 23 super G, coming in 25th overall, as Spencer Wright did in the slalom with a 35th place result. Hayden Terjeson had his top result in the alpine combined, finishing 17th.
Lily, Erin, Jack, Hayden, Spencer and John Blackburn (who qualified for Nationals and competed in the giant slalom, but did not finish) will be joined by Skylar Cooley, Allison Rathfon and Maddie Ferris for U.S. Alpine Junior Championships, which begin March 28 in Sun Valley.
Full results
IMD
Tri-Divisional Champs, Snowbasin
Athletes headed to Snowbasin for Tri-Divisional Championships, which they qualified for according to IMD procedures. IMD athletes competed in fields populated by skiers from Alaska and Northern Divisions, and U14s and U16s had a combined seeding.
In the giant slalom, Axel Hattrup was 12th overall and the 12th U16. Robert Cullen was 28th for U14 boys, Zephyr Carruth was 30th, Taylor Rixon 32nd, and Tommy Normand 37th. For U14 girls, Reece Walther-Porino led the SVSEF group in fifth. She was followed by Isabella Hattrup in sixth, Izzy Gaggero in 16th, Laura Daves in 26th, Mattigan Monschke in 29th and Lena Nelson in 30th. Charlotte Davis-Jeffers finished 34th, Maile Dorland 46th and Dakota Barth 52nd for U14s.
In the slalom, Axel Hattrup was eighth for U16 boys. Taylor Rixon skied to 13th for U14 boys, Jesse Keefe to 32nd, Zephyr Carruth to 37th and Tommy Normand to 49th. For girls, Reece Walther-Porino and Maile Dorland had great finishes in sixth and seventh, as did Laura Daves in 13th. Isabella Hattrup was 27th, Izzy Gaggero to 34th, Charlotte Davis-Jeffers to 36th, and Dakota Barth to 40th. Mattigan Monschke was 48th, and Lena Nelson 60th.
FIS
WR Open Tech Series, Snowbird
FIS athletes were at Snowbird for a Western Region Open Tech Series. This is the second tier of FIS racing within the region; as an introductory series, athletes from the five divisions gain valuable FIS-level experience. In the giant slalom, John Blackburn finished 19th, Max Noddings was 21st and Will Snyder (alum, Williams) was 23rd. Allison Rathon led the way for the women, finishing 10th overall in the giant slalom. Maddie Ferris charged to 13th, Grace Pepin was 31st, Skylar Cooley 35th and Elizabeth Vanderkloot 39th. In the NJR slalom, Will Snyder was ninth, Max Noddings 19th and Thomas Klose 22nd. Cailin Chandler was the only SVSEF woman to finish the NJR slalom – she was 19th.
The series wrapped up with two slaloms. Will Snyder was 12th and 10th, Bennett Snyder 27th and 18th, and Max Noddings did not finish the first slalom but was 22nd in the second. Ella Pepin, an alum who skis for St. Lawrence, finished seventh for women in the first race, and sister Grace finished 24th and 28th. Allison Rathfon did not finish in the first slalom, but bounced back for the second, coming in 19th. Maddie Ferris, Elizabeth Vanderkloot and Cailin Chandler went 29, 33 and 37 in the first slalom, and did not finish in the second. Skylar Cooley was 29th in the first.
Full results
North Series
IMD Finals, Bogus Basin
Four athletes competed at IMD Finals at Bogus Basin. “It was a really great way to end the season for these four kids, they skied great races,” said coach Adele Savaria. “It’s always nice to have the advantage of competing close to home – Bogus was a great venue.” Bodin Lee found the podium in the boy’s U12 slalom in third, and Bryce Kanowsky was 14th for U14s. In the girls’ U10 category, Reese Kelley finished fourth, and Alyssa Huntsman was sixth. In the giant slalom, Bodin finished fifth, and Bryce did not finish. Reese was fifth and Alyssa seventh for U10 girls.
Full results
CROSS COUNTRY
Gold, PG, Comp
The SuperTour Finals are the culmination of the domestic SuperTour circuit, and this year they were held at Craftsbury, Vermont. Gold, PG and Comp athletes participated, as well as alumni who are skiing for colleges out east. Kelsey Phinney of the Gold Team led the SVSEF women in the classic sprint, finishing ninth overall. Katie Feldman (alum, Middlebury) was 36, U16 Comp athlete Anja Jensen was 61st, and PG Ingrid Norton finished 77th. Gold Team skiers Cole Morgan and Kevin Bolger finished 13th and 14th, Matt Gelso was 39th, alum Peter Wolter represented Middlebury in 40th, as did Sam Wood in 48th. Alum Henry Gorman (UNH) finished 63rd, Will Solow 67th (PG) and Max Polito (alum, Middlebury) 82nd.
Following the sprint was a mass start skate 10/15km. Kelsey Phinney finished 18th, Annika Landis (alum, Middlebury) 36th, Katie Feldman 37th, Anja Jensen 61st, Comp skier Ella Wolter 79th and alum (St. Lawrence) Emily Siegel 84th. Jack Hegman of the Gold Team had a solid result in the men’s 15km, finishing eighth among top U.S. peers. Matt Gelso did, as well, coming in 11th. Sam Wood was 35th, Rogan Brown 37th, Kevin Bolger 39th, Peter Wolter 56th, Henry Gorman 60th, Cole Morgan 63rd, Will Solow 65th and Max Polito 96th.
A team relay was the third event, with two men and two women each skiing a 5km leg. The Middlebury College team, which had Peter Wolter scrambling and Katie Feldman anchoring, took ninth.SVSEF’s team of Jack Hegman, Anja Jensen, Rogan Brown and Kelsey Phinney finished 14th, and Sam Wood and Annika Landis’ Middlebury team was 16th.
Racing winds down Tuesday and Wednesday with the women’s 30km and the men’s 50km classic mass start.
Full results
Week in Review: February 27
ALPINE
Laura Flood Memorial
“Use your senses, go with your feelings and instincts, dare to be different, dare to experience.” These words, which were spoken by Laura Flood and grace the trophy for the annual event which bears her name, remind athletes to trust themselves, acknowledge their individuality in lieu of conformism, and to choose their own routes in life. Hosted by the SVSEF annually in honor of Laura, the series featured three days of slalom and giant slalom racing. “Conditions were good, even though we received snow on Monday. This was a really unique opportunity to be able to race the U.S. National GS venue before anyone else has had a chance to race it,” commented Alpine Program Coordinator Riley Berman. “Having this new track is a game-changer for the Intermountain division. Our athletes were energized and eager to put their all into this course, and it was a great weekend of racing.”A big thanks to volunteers who kept the event running smoothly and who dedicated their time and effort to make it happen.
Taking home the Laura Sharpe Flood perpetual trophy, awarded to combined winners from the series, were SVSEF’s Maddie Ferris and Jackson Hole’s Oliver Parazette. Maddie had a strong series, finishing third in the slalom and second in both giant slaloms. Teammate Lily Fitzgerald joined her on the slalom podium in first. Marit Kaiser grabbed two fifths and a seventh place (GS). Carly Walther-Porino, Sage Curtis, Grace Pepin and Elizabeth Vanderkloot all secured top-10s throughout the weekend for a strong SVSEF showing. Spencer Wright, Thomas Klose, Buey Grossman and Charlie Snyder took first, third, fourth and sixth to start the weekend with a bang for SVSEF in the slalom. Thomas Klose again found the podium in the first giant slalom in third, and Buey, Charlier and Jake Blackburn rounded out the top-10 in eighth, ninth and tenth. The men went three-for-three on finding the podium, with Buey taking third in the second giant slalom. Jake finished fifth, Finn Mallinen ninth and Ian Hanna 10th.
RESULTS
USSA
The following athletes have qualified for the Western Region U16 Championships in Alaska. March 20-26, 2018.
Men: Ryder Sarchett, Buey Grossman, Charlie Snyder, Ridley Lindstrom, Finn Mallinen, Josh Blackburn, and Max Moss.
Women: Marit Kaiser, Carly Walther-Porino, Sage Curtis, Anhwei Kirk, Falon Hanna, and Emma MacGuffie.
North Series
The North Series team headed to McCall for the Cranston Cup, with slalom and giant slalom races. A highlight for the weekend was Tucker Smith taking the overall win for both days for boys.
“Our kids skied so well this weekend, considering they have not been on soft snow with big ruts all year,” remarked Head Coach Adele Savaria. “Since it dumped light, fresh snow the whole weekend, they all had a great time in and around their race runs powder skiing. There were lots of smiles and laughter all weekend.”
Top finishes:
U10 Boys:
Joey Pierre – 8th
U12 Boys:
Tucker Smith – 1st, Max Meucci – 3rd, Will Kogelmann – 5th, Paxton Sammis – 8th, Owen Walker – 9th, Drew Kogelmann – 15th, Jensen Pierre – 11th, Sacha Stern-Pre – 16th, Abel Marx – 20th, Bodin Lee – 21st
U14 Boys:
Levi Loomis – 4th, Bryce Kanowsky – 6th
U10 Girls:
Reese Kelley – 6th
U12 Girls:
Natalie Gowe – 2nd, Ruby Crist – 3rd, Taylor Hovey – 6th, Norah Davis-Jeffers – 7th, Ripley Scales- 12th, Bridgette Normand – 13th, Josie Sarchett – 16th, Scarlet Rixon – 17th, Ava Agnew – 20th, Rowan Desler – 21st, Ella Shaughnessy – 22nd, Scarlett Carruth – 24th, Marina Monschke – 30th, Hanna Bailey – 32nd, Molly Belle Poderick – 34th
U14 Girls:
Samanatha Beaudoin – 5th
RESULTS
FIS
FIS athletes competed at Steamboat Springs in University races – this was a great opportunity to test limits against athletes attending top ski universities in the west, as well as international racers representing those schools.
Top results:
Erin Smith – 24th in 2/23 slalom
Haley Cutler (alumni) – 17th in 2/25 giant slalom
Tanner Farrow (alumni) – 19th 2/23 slalom
John Blackburn – 43rd 2/23 slalom
Max Noddings – 48th 2/23 slalom
Hayden Terjeson – 59th 2/25 giant slalom
Noah Leininger – 55th 2/24 giant slalom
Bennett Snyder – 59th 2/24 giant slalom
RESULTS
PARK & PIPE
IFSA Big Mountain
SVSEF Big Mountain skiers returned to Targhee, this time for national-level competition – the event brought athletes from all over the U.S., with representatives from the reaches of Maine and Alaska. Thursday, February 22nd were qualifiers for 12-14 year olds, 15-18 year olds had qualifiers on the 23rd, and finals for all were on the 24th. Five SVSEF athletes made it past the qualifying rounds into finals. Paris Pratt was fourth for girls 15-18 and Molly Kucher was fifth, and SVSEF athletes Charlie Stumph, Axel Diehl and Alex LaFleur finished 11th, 12th and 14th, respectively in the boys 15-18 category. “The athletes who ended up having faults or crashes had some really cool lines picked out, and I’m glad that everyone got after it,” said Head Coach Conor Davis. The team headed out for some freeskiing afterwards, and are preparing for their next regional competition at Bogus Basin.
Travel
Ryan Dobi, Harper Mallett and Will Griffith competed among the nation’s best at the Aspen Snowmass Freeskiing Open. Harper laid it on the line in the halfpipe, walking away with 15th overall in a field of 41 – although he didn’t make it into finals, this was a great finish for the caliber of athletes in attendance. Will, who finished 66th in slopestyle, next heads to Park City to compete in the Rev Tour slopestyle event. Ryan’s top finish was 57th in slopestyle.
RESULTS
CROSS COUNTRY
Prep/Devo
Prep and Devo athletes raced at the Intermountain Youth Championships in Jackson Hole, which brings elementary and middle school aged students from across the Intermountain region together for a final weekend of racing. Athletes competed in 2/3km freestyle and classic races, as well as a “skiercross” race, which featured jumps, tables and obstacles. Despite cold temperatures, overcast days, snow and strong winds, the skiers prepared well, stayed focused and raced hard both days. Taking home the girls U14 Cup was Sammy Smith, who won all three events for U14 girls, and won the skiercross event overall (including male and female athletes, U12-U16). This title was based on races throughout the season. Anja Grover was a close second overall, having won a few races previously. Anja placed second, sixth and third in the freestyle, skiercross and classic races for the weekend. Other highlights from the weekend included a sweep by Berkeley Canfield in all three U12 girls races, a fourth place finish for Teddy Hobbs in the U12 boys skiercross and second for McCallen Campbell in the U10 boys freestyle. U10 boys had a three-four-five streak (Zach Torres, McCallen and Huxley Flood) in the skiercross, and Eloise Hebert and Anika Vandenburgh took third and fourth in the U14 girls skiercross. Teammate Gretel Huss was ninth.
RESULTS
Alumni
Katie Feldman (senior) and Peter Wolter (freshman), SVSEF alumni who are athletes on the Middlebury Ski Team, have qualified for NCAAs, which start next week in Steamboat. Peter also received the Rookie of the Year award for EISA (Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association). Katie was named to the EISA All-East Second Team, and PG alum and Middlebury athlete Sam Wood joined Peter in being named to the EISA All-East Second Team for men.
PHOTOS/EISA ALL-EAST TEAMS
Alumni Spotlight: Geoff Unger '97
Bonds are strong among teammates and friends, when you grow up skiing or riding every day with SVSEF. Follow along with this series, ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS, to learn what SVSEF alumni took away from their time with the organization, and what they're up to now.
We caught up with Geoff Unger, a moguls (freestyle) alumni who graduated from the program in 1997. After leaving the Wood River Valley, Geoff attended Colorado College before pursuing a career in mountain guiding. An American Mountain Guides Association Certified Rock, Alpine and Ski Guide with over 15 years of experience, he now calls Rosendale, New York home, where he owns and operates Extreme Alpine.
What was it like to make the transition from growing up in the Wood River Valley to attending college? Did you feel prepared for that change?
The Wood River Valley was an incredible place to grow up. It offered me so many opportunities to explore the outdoors and hone my abilities on skis. SVSEF was a huge part of that. By the winter season in sophomore year of high school, I was training six days a week on the mountain. When we weren’t training we were off competing. It was tricky to balance the academic work load at school and on the mountain, but I think that helped me transition to college and life outside the Valley.
How did you decide that you wanted to be a climbing guide?
I was involved in the outdoor program at Community School, which showed me that it was okay to pursue something outside the classroom. Community School was also very supportive of my participation on ski team. After high school I took some time away from skiing. It wasn’t the same to have to drive two hours each way to get to the mountains. Consequently, I embraced rock climbing, as it was much more accessible. During college I spent as much time climbing as I could and it became my second passion after skiing. The college experience led me to an even deeper connection with the outdoors and drove me away from wanting to be involved in politics and business (my double major). So I moved back to the Valley and coached ski team for SVSEF on the weekends and worked as a trip leader for the Community School. From there, it wasn’t difficult to find my way into guiding as a full time job.
What do you enjoy most about the job?
The best thing about guiding is sharing the places I love and care for with my guests. Increasingly, our outdoor recreation areas are under threat of development and exploitation. As true wilderness becomes rare its value goes up as does the need to protect it. It is also important to me to have a real connection with my clientele. If I am able to teach people to engage with the land in a way that is sustainable and help them to see the value, then I feel satisfied that I’ve done a good job.
What are some challenges associated with your line of work, and how do you address these?
For a long time the main challenge was financial. Mountain Guiding is not the most lucrative profession. I would say it took me 15 years to really get my feet under me and make a living where I could afford to live comfortably. Before that it was a lifestyle that I chose and I lived out of the back of my truck and out of a duffel bag for years. In 2005 I got involved with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) to become a Certified Mountain Guide. It took me three years of time and dedication, but I was able to achieve my IFMGA Guide Qualification. The AMGA has done a lot for the professional of guiding and continues to set standards for guides and the industry. It is difficult to make a connection between the work the organization has done and wages, but my view is there has been a positive impact on guide wages based on the increased visibility and recognition of the training and certification programs. The way that I have addressed the challenges present in the guiding industry is to get involved. I am on the AMGA Board of Directors and have worked hard to strengthen the organization and the guide training programs. I believe this has gone a long way toward making the guiding profession sustainable in the US.
How do you describe the value of a program like SVSEF? What has been your biggest takeaway?
The most direct value for me is that I will always feel comfortable on my skis. For my guiding job this is huge because it allows me the bandwidth to help my guests. Digging a little deeper, I would say the program taught me to have a strong work ethic. From dry-land training through the season, we trained hard and were expected to show up prepared. It didn’t have the feel of being regimented since there is a lot of room for expression in freestyle skiing, but the structure was there for us to grow and succeed.
What aspects of the program have you carried over or applied to your current job, life in general, or any steps or experiences that have come in between?
A common thread for me is community. SVSEF, the Community School and the Wood River Valley are strong communities. Coming out of those environments, I have sought out opportunities that have strong communities and have tried to help them grow stronger. I certainly have found a lot of strength and support from the guide community. It has allowed me to grow and develop at my own pace, but also to become the best guide I can be while continuing to supporting others.
Was there an individual coach who made a big impression or had a big impact on you?
John Zuck was the head coach while I was on the team and when I coached for SVSEF. John was the single most influential coach and mentor for me. He put in a lot of effort to help me succeed as a mogul skier and as a person. In the summer time I also worked construction with John. It was an extension of ski team. He taught me to be responsible and honest about error correction. He would say, “It’s all about linked recoveries,’ whether that was on the construction site, on the mogul course or in life. It is really difficult to be perfect, but we can work toward it if we constantly recognize our errors and make corrections.
Is there any specific memory or story that stands out to you, that embodies your experience at SVSEF?
I always enjoyed the competitions we held at home, but what stands out to me is the Lane Parish Combined Super G and Dual Moguls Competition that was held for years. The mogul competition was held on Race Arena. It brought everyone together for a festive event. The racers would compete in moguls and some of the bump skiers would even race gates. To me, that was the embodiment of a strong community. Things got competitive, but in the end it was about fun and friends.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
My father was heavily involved in SVSEF and the local community. I have always had the utmost respect for how he carried himself and conducted business. Of the many things I learned from him was to lead by example. If you set a tone of respect and leadership, then others will follow you. That is the best way to get things accomplished and be successful.
What advice would you give athletes about applying what they’ve learned at SVSEF to college or future experiences?
It will likely be different for everyone. I was never on the podium, but ski team taught me to do my best and never give up. After my years on the team, I didn’t become a professional mogul skier, but I did become a mountain professional and use what I learned on the team for my career in the mountains. I have a deep love of skiing and it will always be with me because of my days with SVSEF. I hope that all SVSEF athletes find this to be true, and that it enriches their lives to have come from such a great community.
How have you come to define success?
Success is something you can define for yourself. There is a lot of pressure in the world to look and act a certain way or do things ‘the right way.’ I think it is important to be who and what you want to be. If you put your heart and soul into it and keep at it, you can achieve success by making it your own.
Thank you so much, Geoff!
To learn more about Geoff and his Mountain Guiding business, Extreme Alpine, visit his website here!
Athlete of the Month: Johnny Hagenbuch and Sydney Palmer-Leger
Our SVSEF Athletes of the Month are Johnny Hagenbuch, 16, and Sydney Palmer-Leger, 15, who are both cross country Comp Team athletes. The two athletes skied to top-five finishes at U.S. Nationals at the beginning of January, resulting in selection to international competition as representatives of the U.S. Johnny and Sydney have demonstrated unwavering dedication to their growth in the sport of cross country skiing, and are keenly aware of the steps and progression necessary for success. This, along with their natural athleticism, are a recipe for success.
“Sydney and Johnny exhibit the same drive and work ethic that is common to top level cross country skiers,” explained Cross Country Program Director Rick Kapala. “They apply themselves to the best of their abilities at practice, whether they are at team training or working out on their own. Both are students of the sport and are constantly trying to figure out ways to improve. Lest one think they are carbon copies, they are not. Johnny is a homegrown guy while Sydney is a new arrival. As such, Johnny is more familiar in our team routines and scene while Syd is starting to settle in as she figures out the lay of the land. Of course, our program is fortunate to have both of them with us as they show what is possible when you throw yourself into the pursuit of excellence.”
At U.S. Nationals, held in early January at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Alaska, both skiers posted top-five results in the junior distance freestyle and sprint freestyle races. This success, in fields boasting the best competitors from across the country, confirmed their selection to the U.S. U18 Nordic Nation Championship team and World Junior Championship team (with the option to attend one of the two events). Sydney was the second U18 finisher (27 overall in a field of 147) in the women’s 10km freestyle on January 3. She secured a win in the women’s junior freestyle sprint on January 5, breezing through qualifiers and three rounds of heats. Johnny, like Sydney, was the second U18 finisher (28 overall) in the men’s 15km freestyle race on January 3. He also made his way through junior sprint heats, finishing fourth overall.
Both athletes have chosen to compete at the Nordic Nations Championship, which consists of a distance, sprint and relay race with the top U18 skiers from across the Scandinavian countries. They will be part of a six male, six female team representing the U.S. Sydney and Johnny leave for Vuokatti, Finland, on January 21 for the series. Their focus when they return to the U.S. will be on the U.S. Junior National Championships, which will be held at Soldier Hollow, Utah, in early March.
2017 Golf for Gold Recap
Originally slated for September 14 before a heavy downpour demanded postponement, SVSEF’s fourth annual Golf for Gold was held under sunny skies and prime conditions on September 28 at Bigwood Golf Course. The fundraising event drew fifteen teams of four to the green for a nine-hole scramble, followed by dinner on the deck provided by Bigwood Grill.
Taking home the win on the day was the team of Pete Atkinson, Riley Berman, Neil Bradshaw and Will Brandenburg with a 9-under 27. Along with the glory that comes with winning a championship, the team took home Vodka courtesy of Distilled Resources and SVSEF ball caps.
In an unprecedented three-way tie for second with a score of 29, the team of Rick Kapala, Yancy Caldwell, Chase Cleveland and Barrett Molter secured silver by way of a card off on the fourth hole, in honor of the event’s fourth anniversary.
Not wanting in fervor and enthusiasm, Chad Pringle, Brian Caulkins, Kirk Mason and John Shay took last with a score of 38. The team departed with vintage SVSEF caps and face shields. Boasting Longest Drive were Mimi Griswold and Chase Cleveland; for their efforts, they were awarded Sushi on Second gift certificates. Julie Potter and Will Brandenburg earned SVSEF Gold Team jackets for Closest to the Pin.
Thank you to Hank and Heather Minor, who reopened the restaurant for the event and provided a beautiful dinner on the deck, to staff Janet, Mike and George for their hard work and to Billy Weidner and his staff at Bigwood Golf Course. Our thanks also extend to contributors Matt Luck of Pride of Bristol Bay, Sushi on Second, SQN of Sun Valley Distilled Resources, Washington Federal and the SVSEF Gold Team.
Golf for Gold supports the SVSEF Cross Country Gold Team athletes, who compete at the elite national and international levels. This year’s team is comprised of Kevin Bolger, Rogan Brown, Matt Gelso, Jack Hegman, Cole Morgan, Kelsey Phinney and Mary Rose. If you would like to learn more about how to support these athletes in their endeavors, please contact SVSEF Director of Development Cynthia Knight (cknight@svsef.org, 208.726.4129).
