U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Live Like Sam announced the inaugural Live Like Sam Day today. Live Like Sam was founded by Ron Jackenthal, the father of the late Sam Jackenthal, a Park City, Utah local and young man of strong character and values who was also a budding and promising world-class athlete. The 16-year-old freeskiing champion passed away in 2015 from injuries suffered in a training accident in Australia. 

Live Like Sam and the Sam Jackenthal Fund partnered with U.S. Ski & Snowboard in March of 2019 with the shared objective of providing young athletes the tools to succeed in sports and life with a sense of gratitude. Today, that partnership expands with the launch of Live Like Sam Day. October 10 holds a special significance as it marks the anniversary of Sam Jackenthal’s celebration of life in 2015.

“Live Like Sam Day is about spreading positivity and kindness, not only in a youth sports environment but across all communities,” said founder of Live Like Sam, Ron Jackenthal. “While Live Like Sam was founded following Sam Jackenthal’s tragic passing, the common thread that has kept his collective community together is a strong focus on the positive and what made Sam so special. Through Live Like Sam Day, we believe that by focusing on Sam’s outstanding qualities of kindness and positivity, we can make a difference both in the winter sports community and beyond.”

Live Like Sam Day is meant to be a celebration in which we can all remind ourselves of the Live Like Sam guiding principles. With a mission of flooding the internet and our communities with a sense of kindness and giving, U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes, friends of Sam, and winter sports communities impacted by Sam’s tremendous spirit are currently filling their respective social media feeds with amazing, personal, heartfelt videos of love, selflessness, and compassion. 

Join us in keeping Sam's spirit alive by spreading kindness in our communities and throughout the world. Check out how U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes are celebrating Live Like Sam Day below or create your own video to share across your personal social media accounts answering the following questions: 

• What does it mean to Live Like Sam?
• What are you doing today to Live Like Sam?
• What acts of kindness and giving are you doing today?
• What acts of kindness do you do all the time?
• What are the three Sam characteristics you admire and emulate the most?

For more information about Sam or Live Like Sam Day visit LiveLikeSam.org.

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Winter is here and you don't want to be left in the lodge! So it's time to learn or refresh yourself, about athlete SafeSport training and background check requirements so you can make the most of your-on-snow competition time this winter. Don't forget, all athletes 18 and older must complete SafeSport training and background checks on or before their 18th birthday. Read on for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

Athlete SafeSport training highlights: 

Are athletes required to complete SafeSport training? Almost all adult U.S. Ski & Snowboard members (athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers) are required to complete SafeSport training. Short Term Athlete Members due to their limited participation and Master Athletes who do not i) have regular contact with minor athletes or ii) have authority over minor athletes are exempt from training.

What happens if an athlete’s SafeSport training is not completed prior to turning 18? All athletes must complete SafeSport training no later than their 18th birthday to be eligible for participation/competition in U.S. Ski & Snowboard events and training with your club. Pending members are ineligible to participate. 

If I’m turning 18, can I complete SafeSport training now? Yes, you may complete SafeSport training now if you have parental consent. The consent is built into the SafeSport policy in online registration. Member Services will provide instructions once you’ve registered for membership. 

Does U.S. Ski & Snowboard recommend 17-year-old athletes complete SafeSport training prior to their 18th birthday? Yes. Training must be completed no later than your 18th birthday to avoid being placed on pending status and ineligible from participating in U.S. Ski & Snowboard events. We encourage athletes and their parents to have 17 year old athletes complete training prior to their 18th birthday to avoid any delay in participation/competition. However, you may delay training until closer to your birthday by calling or emailing Member Services.

How will U.S. Ski & Snowboard know I’ve completed training? It’s important that all those who take SafeSport training include their 7-digit U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership number/ID and add U.S. Ski & Snowboard as your membership affiliation when creating your SafeSport account. U.S. Ski & Snowboard will be notified of your course completion automatically when your account includes these two items. In this case, there would be no need to remit your completion certificate.

Athlete background screening highlights:

As an athlete, am I required to undergo background screening? Much like SafeSport training, almost all adult U.S. Ski & Snowboard members (athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers) are now required to undergo periodic criminal background screening. Short Term Athlete Members due to their limited participation and Master Athletes who do not i) have regular contact with minor athletes or ii) have authority over minor athletes are exempt from the background screening requirement.

What happens if I don’t complete the background screening prior to turning 18? All affected athletes will have 45 days from their 18th birthday to complete screening. On day 46, the athlete will be placed on pending status and ineligible to compete.  

If I’m turning 18, can I register for background screening now? Yes, you may register for screening once you’ve registered for membership. Parental consent will be captured within the screening company’s registration process and is required for all those under the age of 18. Member Services will provide instructions once you’ve registered for membership 

Does U.S. Ski & Snowboard recommend 17-year-old athletes complete background screening prior to their 18th birthday? Yes. Background screening can take several weeks. We want to avoid the potential for athletes being placed on pending status and prohibited from participating in U.S. Ski & Snowboard events. We encourage athletes and their parents to have 17-year-old athletes complete screening prior to their 18th birthday to avoid any delay in participation/competition. Athletes will have a maximum of 45 days from their 18th birthday to complete the screening process.

Anticipation builds before the beginning of any big event, whether it’s a World Cup competition or the New York Gold Medal Gala. Making a grand entrance on snow or on stage takes preparation. 

The athletes of U.S. Ski & Snowboard work hard all summer in the gym and at training venues perfecting their craft so that they’re ready when they get in those first start gates of the World Cup season. But on October 24, these legends will be stepping out of their snow gear and into their finery to attend the 53rd annual New York Gold Medal Gala. What goes into making sure these stars shine?

Before competitions, each athlete has their own rituals or traditions to get them in the right headspace. Before the Gala, a common tradition among attending athletes is to take advantage of the Raika Studio salon experience presented by 20-plus year partner John Paul Mitchell Systems’. In the hours leading up to the night’s festivities, the hair stylists of Raika are hard at work turning their beanie-hair White Carpet-ready. 

Personal style counts big for the athletes of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. From gracefully arcing around slalom gates to getting sendy on a big air jump, each athlete brings their personality to their run. Competing at the most elite level not only requires technical prowess, but also artistry. You can feel the passion when watching three-time Olympian aerials skier Ashley Caldwell perform quadruple-twisting backflips off the triple kicker, besting the rest in her sport. 

“We all try to show off our personalities when training and competing, but there’s only so much you can do wearing ski pants,” says Ashley. “So when we get the chance to go to the Raika Studio for the Gala, and get dressed up, it’s really fun to show people a different side of us. I love seeing a different side of my teammates and other athletes I train with at the gym and on the hill. It’s a unique experience to come together and celebrate the coming season.”

The New York Gold Medal Gala will raise nearly $2 million in funds that will directly support athletes’ opportunities to train and compete at the highest level. Paul Mitchell and the stylists at Raika Studio look forward to using their artistry and expertise to beautify skiing and snowboarding’s biggest stars for what is a social highlight of the year. 

Be a part of the celebration from wherever you might find yourself on Oct. 24. National ski and snowboard team athletes are privately funded and receive no government assistance. Technology connects us more than ever and fans can show their support remotely. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has partnered with Mountain Towns 2030 (MT2030) to help mountain towns commit to ambitious carbon reduction goals and implement solutions by 2030. The inaugural Net-Zero Summit is the kick-off event for MT2030 and will be held on October 2-4, 2019 in beautiful Park City, Utah.

“U.S. Ski & Snowboard is in the process of quantifying our carbon footprint, which is the first step in ultimately making broad goals down the line,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “We are exploring how we can take our sustainability efforts to the next level, participating in this conference to see what other towns and companies are doing is key for us. We are excited to be a part of this important conversation and look forward to working with our community in implementing meaningful solutions.”

“We formed Mountain Towns 2030 because we strongly believe mountain towns have the power to make a global impact on climate change,” said Park City Mayor Andy Beerman. “As with any community initiative, the support from local organizations and nonprofits are a big reason we can set ambitious goals and achieve them. We could not be more pleased to have U.S. Ski & Snowboard partner and lead the way with us.”

Keynote speakers include renowned conservationist and United Nations Messenger of Peace Jane Goodall, and environmentalist Paul Hawken from Project Drawdown. The speaker lineup also includes Utah State University Professor Robert Davies, Rocky Mountain Power CEO Gary Hoogeveen, Park City Mayor Andy Beerman, clean energy impact investors, leaders from non-profit organizations and many more.

Following the summit, MT2030 will take the commitments made at this summit and put them into action by connecting the communities, sharing best practices, and using the collective voice of our coalition of mountain towns to encourage other municipalities across the globe to take action. Over 30 mountain towns will be represented at the Net Zero Summit.

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About Mountain Towns 2030
Mountain Towns 2030 (MT2030) is a coalition of mountain towns that have committed to ambitious carbon reduction goals by 2030. The inaugural Net Zero Summit is the kick-off event for MT2030 and will be held on October 2-4, 2019 in Park City, Utah.  More information about Mountain Towns 2030 and the Net Zero Summit can be found at www.mt2030.org.

The sense of urgency around 2030 continues to escalate. The world’s climate scientists agree—to control global warming at 1.5 degrees, the earth needs drastic reductions in carbon emissions by 2030. Communities need to identify and act on effective solutions immediately.

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2019, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org 

PARK CITY, UTAH – Land Rover North America and U.S. Ski & Snowboard today announced that Land Rover is the new Official Vehicle Partner of the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA. The multi-year partnership also names Land Rover as the title sponsor of the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team, the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix series, and presenting sponsor of the “Visa Big Air Presented by Land Rover” events.

“We are very excited to welcome Land Rover as a partner into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard family,” said Tiger Shaw, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s President, and CEO. “Land Rover represents the spirit, drive, and determination that our athletes put forth daily in their training, and throughout the season competing at the highest level of sport. This partnership further empowers our athletes to reach above and beyond in their quest to be the Best in the World!”

Land Rover is the maker of the most luxurious and capable SUVs in the world. From the luxurious Range Rover to the versatile Discovery featuring three-row seating, and the recently revealed all-new Defender, the Land Rover lineup of award-winning SUVs is built for adventure in the toughest terrain and weather conditions.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard supports nearly 200 national team athletes and represented 80 percent of Team USA’s gold medals during the PyeongChang 2018 and Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. This year, U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes will participate in more than 200 competitions globally, including 35 events in the United States. 

“As Land Rover continues to grow in the U.S. market and we launch models like the new Defender, we are supporting activities such as skiing and snowboarding that resonate with our expanding American customer base,” said Kim McCullough, Vice President, Marketing, Jaguar Land Rover North America. “The athletes of U.S. Ski and Snowboard exemplify ‘Capability with Composure,’ a hallmark of Land Rover. We are proud to support them in their quest to be the premier winter sports team in the world.”

Land Rover and U.S. Ski & Snowboard are committed to providing the best resources for athletes who are inspired to be the best in the world. As part of the sponsorship agreement, Land Rover will support 10 U.S. Ski & Snowboard athlete ambassadors including Olympic gold medallists and World Champions. Throughout the partnership, these athletes will take part in brand milestones, custom content creation, and social media integrations.

The agreement also includes broadcast, social media, and digital promotion rights, custom competition content creation, and email marketing campaigns with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard registered fan base. Land Rover branding will also be seen on the athlete uniforms and team gear, as well as available to consumers through U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Land Rover official branded goods.

The 2019-20 season will kick off October 24 with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s 53rd annual New York Gold Medal Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City, followed by the first FIS Alpine World Cup event of the season October 26-27 in Soelden, Austria.

To follow the action throughout the season, follow @LandRoverUSA and @USskiteam.
 

PARK CITY, UTAH  - U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced the appointment of Michael O’Conor to the position of Chief Revenue Officer. O’Conor comes to the organization with almost two decades’ experience of commercial business development within the Olympic sphere.

O’Conor’s hiring at U.S. Ski & Snowboard is serendipitous, as he was first introduced to the Olympic movement in Utah. In 2000 he took a position with OPUS - the joint venture between the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee - handling partnerships for the Sydney and Salt Lake Olympic Games. After a brief stint in the entertainment sector with the Sundance Institute developing corporate sponsorships, the call of sport beckoned O’Conor back to the USOPC where he has served in various roles in account management, event management, and sales. In 2011, he took over the commercial arm of the USOPC. Most recently, Michael has been working for the LA2028 joint venture with the USOPC, known as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties (USOPP).

As Chief Revenue Officer, O’Conor will report directly to U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO, Tiger Shaw, and will be responsible for driving all commercial revenue for the organization. In separating the sales and execution sides of sponsorship, O’Conor and his team will create new and innovative ways of raising money to support the athletes so they can focus on what they do best: skiing and snowboarding.

“We are so excited to have Michael joining the U.S. Ski & Snowboard family,” said Shaw. “Michael has proven himself to be a leader in commercial strategy, specifically in the Olympic sports space. He has a deep understanding of how to meet the challenges of creating value in commercial partnerships. I have no doubt that his expertise, gleaned from his tenure at the USOPC and the USOPP, will benefit our organization and allow us to give our athletes the best environment in which to train and compete, with the needed funding.”

O’Conor has always been involved in sports, playing soccer and baseball growing up in East Hampton, New York. He came to skiing later in life, which has proven ruinous for him in his family’s snow sports standings (he has all bases covered with one of his three children favoring snowboarding) as all are shredders on the mountain, including his wife. 

“I cannot keep up with anyone in my family. I’ve only had one moment in the sun when it comes to snow sports when I was asked to present the awards for women’s slopestyle snowboarding at the Copper Grand Prix in 2015,” O’Conor said. “I was lucky enough to present Jamie Anderson with her first-place award. It was so cool, one of the best dad moments of my life! My kids were really impressed with me.”

Luckily for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, O’Conor’s track record in sales rates higher than his skills on the slopes. Over the past 10 years, he has achieved considerable success drawing in partners to the Olympic movement such as Hershey’s, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and Smucker’s. He will be leaving his most recent role working for the USOPP, where he was focused on creating a value proposition that includes getting the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams and the Los Angeles 2028 Games to their sales goal.

“It is bittersweet to say goodbye to my friends and colleagues at the USOPP and the USOPC, but I am grateful to be staying involved with the USOPC’s mission through this new role,” O’Conor said. “Got to say I love my new office. Can’t beat being in the mountains!”