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2018-19 Berlack/Astle Memorial Fast Skier Award Recipients

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
June, 19 2019
Ronnie Berlack
This is the 10th year the “Fast Skier Award” has been awarded and the fourth year that the award has been presented in memory of Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle, two up-and-coming alpine athletes whose lives were lost in an avalanche in Soelden, Austria in January 2015. Photo: Ronnie Berlack at FIS races at Copper Mountain, Colo. in November of 2012. (Eric Schramm)

BRADFORD, VT/VAIL, CO – World Cup Supply and 1to3go are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018-19 Berlack/Astle Memorial Fast Skier Awards. NYSEF/Northwood School athlete Madison Kostoss and Jonathan Davis from the Green Mountain Valley School were each awarded the prize for U16 racers.

Madison Kostoss is a U16 out of Wilmington N.Y., where her passion for skiing was born on Whiteface Mountain. A top racer in New York, her coach Patrick Purcell describes Kostoss' “I can do it” attitude that puts her in a special league. “She is self-driven, willing to take chances and knows clearly that her path is one of success” noted Patrick.

“Ski racing has taught me the importance of a balanced lifestyle along with many other lessons," said Kostoss. "Ronnie and Bryce captured the essence of this during their lives. I am honored to be a recipient of this award and will continue to be inspired by their charisma throughout my ski racing career.”

Green Mountain Valley School (GMVS) skier Jonathan Davis from Waitsfield, Vt. knows adversity. Last year he suffered a life- threatening ski edge laceration and has been very active in raising awareness for this ever-increasing problem facing many ski racers. Like the Berlack and Astle families, Davis has learned to turn a tragic situation into a way to help others.

“I am both excited and humbled to win the Berlack/Astle award," reflected Davis. "Everything I have heard or read about each of them, tells me they learned at an early age to live their life with a passion for their sport, their family and their community. I hope to live up to the honor of this award by, working hard, constantly challenging myself, staying positive even in tough times, and just being the best person I can be.“

Both athletes will receive a $1,000 cash award, race products from SYNC and a backpack and t-shirt from World Cup Supply.

This is the 10th year the “Fast Skier Award” has been awarded and the fourth year that the award has been presented in memory of Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle, two up-and-coming U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine athletes whose lives were lost tragically in an avalanche in Soelden, Austria in January 2015. The award is based on race results, academic excellence, coach’s recommendations and community involvement...the type of qualities that both Ronnie and Bryce exhibited. This award gives us a chance to recognize excellence in the U16 community and also continue to remember Ronnie and Bryce, two gifted athletes whose character on and off the hill was an inspiration to others.”

World Cup Supply and 1to3go congratulates Madison and Jonathan and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors. We’d also like to thank SYNC and Atomic, N.A. for their generous donations and help recognizing Madison’s and Jonathan’s achievements.

Learn more about the award at www.berlackastleaward.com.

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About World Cup Supply
Founded in 1991, World Cup Supply is a respected supplier of ski racing, ski area and event supplies. Located in Bradford, Vermont the company is the exclusive North American distributor of the SPM line of hill supplies for alpine ski racing, resorts and events. http://www.worldcupsupply.com/

About 1to3go
1to3go is a consultancy started by Barry Levinson, founder of SYNC Performance and SRD/Ski Racing Development. 1to3go provides a variety of marketing and creative services to the ski and outdoor industries. http://www.1to3go.com/

Release courtesy of Barry Levinson, founder of SYNC Performance, SRD/Ski Racing Development and 1to3go.