SVSEF FIS Skiers, Alums Make Their Mark at U.S. Nationals
Nine current and former SVSEF athletes made the cut to compete at U.S. Alpine Nationals, held at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine, March 25-28. This is the most that have qualified for national championships since the early 90s. Athletes competed across super G, slalom and giant slalom events. As stated by USSA, "the U.S. Championships are a vital part of the USSA's national development program, pitting top club athletes from regional teams around America against U.S. Ski Team veterans from the Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour." The newly instated U19 and U21 Junior National Championships followed right on the heels of Nationals, March 29-30.
RESULTS:
3/25: Super G
Haley Cutler – 10th
Skylar Cooley – 18th
Kipling Weisel (alum/Gold athlete) – 5th
Tanner Farrow (alum) – 23rd
John Blackburn – 45th
Yuri McClure – 48th
3/26: Slalom
Cutler – 40
Cooley – DNF 1st run
Will Snyder (alum) – 29th
McClure – DNF 1st run
Blackburn – DNF 1st
Weisel – DNF 2nd run
Farrow – DNF 2nd run
3/27: Women’s Giant Slalom
Cutler – 9th
Cooley – DNF 1st run
3/28: Men’s Giant Slalom
Weisel – 10th
McClure – DNF 1st run
Blackburn – DNF 1st run
Snyder – DNF 1st run
Farrow – DNS 2nd run
3/29: U.S. Junior Nationals Giant Slalom
Cutler – 5th
Cooley – 24th
Blackburn – DNF
McClure – 39th
The Week in Review: 2/14/17
I AM SVSEF
ALPINE: Kaia Jensen is this week’s I am SVSEF athlete. Says coach Brett Morris, “Kaia has been working really hard all year and especially these past couple of weeks, going out on her own repeatedly working on drills and trying to make some adjustments to here skiing. Additionally, her attitude has been phenomenal, always keeping positive and trying to see the best in situations even when results aren’t going her way. At Schweitzer speed Kaia, entering her first FIS speed (DH and SG) series did a great job. She got down from one run of SG and had the biggest grin on her face just from the thrill and joy of running the course. Her time didn’t matter; she just had pure fun.”
CROSS COUNTRY: According to Dave Bingham, Cross Country Devo Head Coach, “Zach Quesnel is one of those first-to-come, last-to-leave kids that shows up ready to rock. As a lead dog of the hard charging “Omega” Team, Zach dives in to every practice like a golden lab goes after a thrown stick. Despite a somewhat quiet demeanor, Zach manages to project an enthusiasm for sport that fellow athletes just want to be part of. Not surprisingly, Zack’s mom and uncles are all SVSEF alumni, solid community contributors, and just plain great folks. Congrats to Zach for being coaches’ pick for athlete of the week!”
FREESTYLE: This past competition, coaches saw a lot of progress in Luke Rizzo’s skiing. Dedication to his workouts during the year have moved him up through the rankings. Luke is polite, respectful, consistently there and puts in the work; he is an exceptional role model for the younger athletes growing up in the program.
PARK & PIPE: Ridge Dirksmeier is at every practice, giving 100% and pushing himself and his teammates to be their best selves. A quality that is important for making improvements is a good attitude; Ridge certainly brings this, and is open to learning more about the sport and what he can do to make strides.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW – 2/14/17
Alpine
FIS/USSA Teams – Laura Flood Memorial Cup
The Laura Flood Memorial Cup took place last weekend on Baldy, despite heavy rain that closed down the mountain for two consecutive days. This was a U16 qualifier, as well as an open USSA race. All teams decided to stay an extra day and race on Monday – a race occurrence – since the event was a qualifier and conditions ended up working out. A huge thank you goes out to Sun Valley Company, SVSEF staff and all of the volunteers who made this event a resounding success, despite the extreme weather and the conditions and changes that ensued.
Snow conditions set up to be extremely icy – Will Brandenburg, SVSEF Head USSA Coach and a former World Cup and Olympic skier, observed that “it ended up setting up like a World Cup venue for the GS race on Monday – it was the type of surface that people try to make – we got lucky.”
Strong results came from both FIS and USSA athletes. SVSEF women took five of the top ten spots in both slaloms events, with Lily Fitzgerald taking the win on Saturday and Merumo Ishimaru claiming first on Sunday. The men took went one through four on Saturday, with Charlie Lamb claiming victory. They took three of the top ten spots on Sunday; Filippo Collini was first, followed by Bennett Snyder in second. FIS athlete Haley Cutler won the women’s giant slalom on Monday, with teammate Alli Rathfon in second. Maddie Ferris broke the top ten, finishing sixth. The men finished strong, with five in the top ten on the final day of the weekend. Filippo Collini again took the win.
Emma MacGuffie earned the unofficial move-up award for the weekend, cruising from starts in the 80s into the top 15 and top 10 in the two slalom events, securing a spot for regionals. The SVSEF U16 athletes have proven their strength as a unit this season, having secured a win at every U16 event throughout the last two qualifiers – in 12 races total, SVSEF has had seven different winners – Lily Fitzgerald, Bennett Snyder, Jack Smith, Merumo Ishimaru, Buey Grossman, Alli Rathfon and Wyatt Barth have all reached the top of the podium.
The overall Laura Flood Memorial Cup winners this year were Filippo Collini and Merumo Ishimaru. The overall award is based on the second slalom race and the giant slalom, as the event has historically featured these two events. Filippo won the men’s slalom on Sunday, as well as the giant slalom on Monday. Merumo won the Sunday slalom and was 29th in the giant slalom.
Full results here
FIS Team
Three FIS athletes competed at FIS-sanctioned races in Copper over the past week, which saw top racers from throughout North America, as well as a few U.S. Ski Team World Cup speed racers. Haley Cutler finished the nine-race series with five top-15 overall finishes, helping her earn 11th place overall in the final Nor-Am Series Downhill standings. On top of that, she secured a top-10 finish in the U.S. National Championship Downhill race, also held at Copper.
This was Erin Smith’s second Nor-Am Series; the athlete managed to score her first Nor-Am Series points (these are given to the top 30 overall finishers). Skylar Cooley, despite having just come off a nasty flu, earned her first Nor-Am at Copper, from Nor-Am points earned in the super-G races.
Coach Brett Jacobsen applauded the athletes for their “hard work, solid attitudes and impressive skiing” in a high-caliber field.
Full results here
Cross Country
Comp/Prep Teams
Cross country Comp and Prep skiers competed in their final JNQ at West Yellowstone. Saturday was a skate sprint; the snow set up really well and the crew did a great job grooming, following a day of rain and sloppy snow on Friday. There were a number of SVSEF athletes who had their best-ever results on Saturday. Katherine Estep had her best result to date, finishing fifth overall and reaching the A final. Keene Morawitz had his best skate sprint result, qualifying for the B final. Lily Brunelle also made B finals. Overall, it was a good day for SVSEF, and the race helped solidify qualifying for Junior Nationals for a number of athletes.
The final JNQ race on Sunday was a classic mass start. Highlights for the day were Peter Wolter skiing to a win in the U18/U20 men’s 10km, in his last effort as a SVSEF athlete. Eli Jensen brought up a solid fourth. Henry Raff and Andrew Siegel both secured positions on the Intermountain JN team. PG skier Sarah Goble, despite battling illness all weekend, still managed to ski to third. In the men’s U16 race, Johnny Hagenbuch was third in a closely contested race. The U16 girls had a strong day, taking first, third and fourth; Sophia Mazzoni took the win, skiing hard off the front of the pack. Laine Allison threw down a big result, out-lunging teammate Anja Jensen for third and cementing her position for Junior Nationals.
SVSEF qualified 13 athletes overall to represent the Intermountain Division at Junior Nationals. On top of that, Sarah Goble, a PG skier, will represent the Great Lakes region, and Bentley Walker-Broose will compete as a guest skier; he is an Australian athlete who has been training and racing with SVSEF.
SVSEF athletes qualified for Junior Nationals:
U16 girls
Sophia Mazzoni
Anja Jensen
Ella Wolter
Laine Allison
U16 boys
Johnny Hagenbuch
Cash Dart
U18-20 girls
Lily Brunelle
Eve Jensen
U18-20 boys
Peter Wolter
Eli Jensen
Andrew Siegel
Henry Raff
Keene Morawitz
Full results here
Full IMD JNQ rankings here
Freestyle
Freestyle athletes were in Deer Valley, Utah for moguls and duals. Athletes competed on the longest course they have been on to date, and one of the toughest; it was used a week previous as a World Cup competition venue, with Olympic-caliber athletes competing. The course was 250 meters long, which is a quarter longer than the average mogul course.
A heavy downpour of rain plagued training on Friday, before it transitioned to snow, making conditions more challenging on Saturday with six to eight new inches. On Sunday, everything froze; with an icy, hard surface, conditions were tough.
Saturday was a singles event, with tough competition on the men’s side in the form of former U.S. team members. SVSEF had four athletes in the top 15 in the men’s competition and five in the top 10 in the ladies’ event; the highlight was an overall win for 11-year old Sammy Smith in a field of athletes up to eight years her senior, who threw a 360 to a backflip. (Sammy’s performance over the weekend qualified her for Nationals, which will have to wait, as the minimum age requirement to compete is 14.) In the men’s competition, Alex LaFleur was eighth, Brody Buchwalter 10th, Henry Cherp 11th and Luke Rizzo 12th. In the ladies’ event, Sammy was first, Addie Rafford wasn’t far behind in fourth, Esmee Verheijen finished seventh, Katie Markthaler ninth and Eliza Marks tenth.
Sunday’s first competition was a singles run to seed for duals later that day. Addie Rafford was second overall and Sammy Smith third. Luke Rizzo led the SVSEF men in fourth, followed by Alex LaFleur in fifth. Toby Rafford, a young gun, had a stand out performance with a sixth place finish, and Ben Anderson made the top ten in seventh. Toby hung with the older athletes and was able to qualify for Junior Nationals. Luke’s result helped him qualify for Nationals, which are at Steamboat at the end of March.
In duals, Luke was fourth and Alex fifth. Addie finished on the podium in second for the ladies, Sammy Smith was fourth and Rainey Wilson was eighth.
This was the last event for Intermountain qualification for Junior Nationals. A full list will be released next week of qualified athletes.
Full results here
Snowboard
Phebe Erickson and Aidan Green competed in Mammoth at the Rev Tour, despite the rugged weather that shut down the freeski aspect. Phebe finished 18th in the women’s field of 50 and Aidan was 17th in the men’s competition.
Payton Bacca just left for Junior Worlds in the Czech Republic yesterday, to represent the U.S. in boardercross. The event takes place February 18.
The Snowboard Team had a small crew head over to Bogus Basin for the USASA slopestyle event. Nico and Sebastian Lerner, Maddie and Caleb Hothem Chelsea Kelley from Australia competed for SVSEF. Everyone came home with some hardware; Nico got fjrst in his age division, Sebastian secured a win and Caleb was second in their division, Maddie Hothem was first for girls, and Chelsea finished first for the younger girls’ division.
Freeski
Freeskiing events at the Mammoth stop on the Toyota U.S. Revolution Tour were cancelled due to weather (wind, heavy snow). The next stop is Seven Springs, PA, March 6-8, and will feature freeski halfpipe and slopestyle.
The Jackson Hole Big Mtn. West Series was also cancelled due to weather. A couple of SVSEF athletes who live in Boise decided to stay home and compete in a USASA slopestyle event at Bogus Basin; Kyle Kope ended up in third place, and Ryan Dobi was first in his age group. Results have not yet been posted.
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SVSEF Achieves USSA Gold Level Club Certification
The United States Ski and Snowboard association (USSA) announced that it has elevated SVSEF’s club certification from Silver, which was originally awarded in 2014, to Gold, the highest honor possible. According to USSA, “this level of certification is intended for clubs that are Best in the World. These clubs serve as a model, both organizationally and athletically, and are resources to the sport as a whole in the U.S.” The designation of a club as Gold level is not an examination, but rather an opportunity for USSA to assess a club’s current situation and determine areas of need. Gold certified clubs possess a heightened level of accountability to maintain and build upon areas of both strength and improvement, to ensure the longevity and stability of the organization and to help, through feedback and observation, to grow the cumulative strength of clubs throughout regions and across the country.
Commented Ellen Adams, Club Development Manager for USSA, “USSA’s Podium Club Certification Program is designed to recognize excellence and create a platform for continued improvement. The process to achieve Podium level certification involves a rigorous, mission driven self-assessment and review of best principles and practices in eight areas of organizational performance. As a Gold certified club, SVSEF has demonstrated excellence in all areas and is recognized as an important partner of USSA and a leader among USSA Clubs. We look forward to continuing to work together.”
SVSEF is honored to receive this premier recognition from the national governing body of our sports, and to be included as one of the very best junior snowsport programs in the nation. Other Gold level clubs include Burke Mountain Academy, Mammoth Mountain Ski and Snowboard Team, Stratton Mountain School and Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, to name a few. In conjunction with Gold level status, SVSEF will have access to heightened professional development opportunities for staff, support from club development expert consultants, discounted rates on consulting services, and the opportunity to be considered for the USSA High Performance Club Partnership Program, which opens up the potential for designation as a U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team development site or high performance center.
“SVSEF’s new certification level combined with the U.S. Olympic Committee classification as an official Olympic Training Site clearly identifies SVSEF sport programs as setting an extremely high standard of quality, direction and content,” said Phil McNichol, SVSEF Athletic Director. “These accolades help assure we are striving in the right direction to reach our mission, which is ‘to provide exceptional snowsport programs for the youth of the Wood River Valley thereby enabling each participant to reach his/her athletic potential, while developing strong personal character through good sportsmanship, strong values, and individual goals.’”
Open a Free Checking Account with SVSEF Partner Washington Federal
SVSEF families are invited to open a Washington Federal free Simple Checking account; it only takes a $100 initial deposit to get going. There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements (you can have only one penny in the account and not get a fee), plus online tools and debit cards included as well at no cost. For more information or to sign up today, visit Washington Federal at 460 E Sun Valley Rd. #101 in Ketchum, or contact Jessica Juarez (208) 726-1300.
View the PDF here for more information.
SVSEF Athletes Get in the Spirit at Olympic Day
At six feet, four inches, Dick Fosbury towers above the group of SVSEF athletes as they prepare for Olympic Day festivities. In contrast to his stature as an Olympic gold medalist, the words he shares are relatable and down to earth. Fosbury recounts the history of the Olympics, and explains that the spirit of the Games – which have persisted despite various forms of unease and tension afflicting the people and countries of this world – is what underlies the celebration of Olympic Day. The event has taken place each year since 1948, with the intention of promoting fitness, well-being and culture for youth across the United States and the world. Friendship, excellence and respect are championed in the kids’ activities and games, just as they are in the competitions that take place on the world stage.
Joining Olympian Dick Fosbury last Friday, who won gold in the 1968 Summer Olympics in the high jump with his famed “Fosbury Flop,” was fellow local Olympian Reggie Crist. Crist raced in the men’s downhill in the 1992 Winter Olympics and was critical in the development of the sport of ski cross.
Sixty SVSEF athletes converged on the Community School’s Sagewillow Farm premises for games and competitions. Divided into nine teams named after local Olympians and Paralympians, including Kaitlyn Farrington, Picabo Street, Christin Cooper, Graham Watanabe, Gretchen Fraser, Susie and Pete Patterson, Muffy Davis, Crist and Fosbury, athletes tackled a total of 13 relay challenges with fervor and enthusiasm. Across the field and back, athletes balanced eggs on spoons, jump roped, ran in alpine boots and skillfully coordinated human conveyor belts and leap frog. Much liberty was taken as far as rules and regulations were concerned, but it was all in good fun. As is tradition, the relays ended with a full-fledged pie fight; not an athlete emerged from the battle unscathed.
The John R. Kalik True North awards were presented to three SVSEF student-athletes in accordance with Olympic Day. The award is given in honor of John R. Kalik, who was passionate about the area, the outdoors and living life fully. John passed away in a 1980 plane crash at the age of 24.
Alpine Program Director Scott McGrew beautifully articulated the meaning and significance of this award. “Tenacity, grit, and perseverance are core values that come from this journey and the True North is a way for us to acknowledge, celebrate and inspire those values throughout our community. At times the seas are rough and we lose our way through life’s storms. The True North serves as a metaphor to help us navigate the challenges that life presents; core values don’t change with circumstances…that is the spirit of the award and a representation of our heart as an organization.”
Athletes must be a rising junior or senior to have been considered for the award, and recipients were chosen based on an essay they wrote addressing the topic, “What have you learned about yourself as a member of SVSEF and how is this important in your day-to-day life?”
Recipients will receive half off tuition for the upcoming season, along with an engraved True North compass, courtesy of Anne Kalik, John’s sister. This year’s recipients were Hanna Blackwell (freestyle/freeskiing/snowboarding), Kirsys Campbell (nordic) and Noah Leininger (alpine). Hanna is a member of the Freeskiing A Team and will be a junior at Wood River High School this coming fall. Kirsys will also be a junior and skis on the Nordic Comp Team. Noah skis on the Alpine FIS Team and will be a senior this year.
SVSEF athletes Noah Leininger and Hanna Blackwell receive the John R. Kalik True North Award from Interim Executive Director Sam Adicoff. Missing from the photo is the third recipient, Kirsys Campbell, who was unable to attend.
Anne Kalik left the award recipients with a few words to remember. “To the three athletes who received the True North awards today, it seems if you have found some inner compass deep inside: a light to guide you to become your best, true self. Congratulations and may it always be so!”
We’d like to thank all of our athletes who participated and their parents, as well as Anne Kalik, photographer Glen Allison, Lutz Rental, Color Haus, Albertson’s, Olympians Dick Fosbury and Reggie Crist, SVSEF Gold Team athletes and coaches and staff for their help in putting on a successful day of games and good fun.
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.
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'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.
SVSEF Athlete of the Week: Carter Ros Comes Through in the Clutch
With years of skiing, playing soccer and basketball, Carter Ros is an athlete who recognizes the value of playing to the whistle.
A member of the SVSEF cross country program since 2005, Carter, posted two of his best finishes ever to book a berth in the Junior National Cross Country Championships, March 6-13 at Cable, Wisconsin. For his all-out effort to get there, Carter is SVSEF’s Athlete of the Week.
“Carter wasn’t even on the bubble,” SVSEF Nordic Program Director Rick Kapala remarked. “He was on the outside looking in and he posted his best ever result with the exception of when he was a J2 two years ago. We basically said the script has not been written and he realized that which was valuable to making the team.
Carter Ros on course. Photo by Hank Dart.
In the third and final Junior National Qualifying races at Bozeman, Montana, Carter, a senior at Wood River High School, qualified 10th and finished fifth in the men’s U18/U20 skate sprint. The following day, facing inclement conditions including standing water on the course, he made the decision to double pole the entire 10k course in a classic mass start. The decision paid off as Carter finished second in 27:17 to teammate Peter Wolter and eighth overall in a field of 41 U18/U20 men.
“Just because the first race don’t come that doesn’t mean you can’t have those results later. Carter is really good on his skis and the courses played to his strength. Conditions were pretty janky with standing water and ice. He was the first guy to decide not to kick wax and just go for it. He had a really good race,” Kapala said.
The affable 17-year-old will observe his 18th birthday while at Nationals. We hope Carter has double reason to celebrate!
Overall, SVSEF will send 14 team members to Junior Nationals, the most from a single program in the Intermountain Division. Bozeman was next best with 12. For more information on the 2016 Cross Country Junior National Championships, please click HERE.
Rose rises to the occasion, wins Whiteface Climb to the Castle
Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Cross Country Gold Team member Mary Rose won the women's title Sunday at the Climb to the Castle in Whiteface, New York. Rose, 24, rollerskied her way up Whiteface Mountain's 4,867 feet in 45:14.1.
"It's a testament how hard work pays off over time. She's clearly been putting the work in for the last several years and now one of the better distance skiers in the country. It is not a surprise she had success at this event. Good job, Mary," SVSEF Cross Country Program Director Rick Kapala said.
Rose crossed the finish line 27 seconds ahead of runner up Annalies Cook (USBA). SVSEF teammate Paige Schember was 6th in 51:51.3.
Fellow Gold Team members Rogan Brown, Miles Havlick (9th) and Ben Lustgarten (12th) were also in the mix. Brown finished fourth in the men's race, 15.3 seconds behind winner Patrick Caldwell. SVSEF alumni Max Durtschi was 10th.
Lake Placid, New York, where Whiteface Mountain is located, was the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics. The Gold Team has been training on the East Coast for the past couple of weeks with head coach Colin Rodgers.
For a full account of the event, please check out Faster Skier.