The Western Region was able to hold its first set of FIS races in December at Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole WY.  Men and Women’s Slalom were contested successfully.  Based on the  US Ski & Snowboard COVID-19 Alpine Domestic Competitions Guidance, races were conducted with Daily Health Checks before they are allowed to start and Team Captains Meeting online. On hill communications were enhanced using WhatsApp to distribute official meeting documents and improve race organization.  Congratulation to Branko Zagar and the entire Jackson Hole Ski Club team on a race well run.  Official Results can be found HERE. 

Since we welcomed in the New Year just three weeks ago, Western Region is in the middle of FIS races at Snow King WY, Mt Hood OR, and Mt Bachelor OR. Unfortunately, the FIS races at Alyeska AK had to be postponed.

The Western Region staff along with Divisional leaders have been working on the race calendars and making adjustments as required.  While we are restricted in the number of athletes we are allowed to have at events.  Impacted further by state-mandated travel restrictions, the calendar is the first priory for the Western Region.  Ever-changing and evolving, we are excited that racing is happening in the West.

Hopefully, the next newsletter will be full of races and results from mid-January through February.

We wish everyone the very best racing this season!

Bill Gunesch
Western Region Director

Jeff Pickering
Western Region Junior Coach

Fletcher McDonald
Western Region FIS Coach

Angie Brown
Western Region Manager

Hello Eastern Region!

After a lot of planning, tons of revision, a little magic, and the right planet alignment, the 2021 Eastern Region FIS race season officially kicked off this month! Proctor Academy in New Hampshire and Stratton Mountain School in Vermont hosted the first FIS races of the season on January, 11th. Since then, we’ve been off and running (or should I say, off and skiing?!) with our Divisional FIS calendar, and even completed a successful FIS-U event hosted by UNH at Mittersill/Cannon Mountain this past week. Many other venues have launched with youth racing as well - some bumps in the road along the way but so far we are making good progress.

It has not been an easy task getting these races off the ground and a huge round of applause is owed to the members, clubs, and programs in our region who have stepped up to the plate these past few months and helped make this sport a reality. There have been many, many moving parts and lots of changes, but ski racers everywhere have banded together and faced this challenge head-on. You all should be very proud!

Perhaps even more exciting than the FIS-Calendar-in-motion is the “Language Locker Practice” presentation our Eastern Youth Development Coach, Kathy Okoniewski, has been sharing with groups of coaches throughout the region. She has shared this presentation with coaches in NYSSRA, VARA, TSASRA, MARA, and earlier this month, she delivered the presentation to over 55 coaches in PARA! 

“What exactly is ‘Language Locker Practice’?” you may ask. Kathy explains a bit below:

“Language Locker Practice” is a coach’s education presentation that shows coaches how to use Cues and Questions to enhance their coaching and their athlete’s learning. I’ll explain the “What, How, and Why” of using cues and then we’ll practice building a Language Locker together. I have been working virtually with clubs and divisions around the East and our common goal should be to collaborate together, transform how we coach, improve our delivery, and ultimately enhance learning and performance. 

The Language Locker is a coach’s communication tool, created by the Sport Education Dept. at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. As you know, this fall we had an opportunity to share the APOLLO Project with our ski racing coaches through our own U.S. Ski & Snowboard Sport Education Dept. I have participated in that training a few times now, and felt incredibly inspired to create a small presentation on cueing to share with our coaches/clubs around the East. So here we are!"

Are you interested in having Kathy deliver the “Language Locker Practice” presentation to the coaches of your division or program? Send her an email at kathy.okoniewski@usskiandsnowboard.org to set a date! 

Hopefully you’ve all been able to watch some World Cup racing as well, as many of our Eastern athletes are having breakout seasons! Ryan Cochran-Siegle won a dang World Cup SG with a run that nearly moved me to tears, Paula Moltzan has been in the top-10 and on the podium, Nina O’Brien as popped into the top-10 and top-15 a few times, Sam Morse had a top-30 DH result, and oh yeah - Mikaela slays! RCS is the story of the season for me so far. He started at Cochran's, came through Stowe, and now has World Cup speed podiums to his name, and GS results to boot!

Before I sign off, I just want to say that I hope you all are enjoying the winter, doing your very best to take this less-than-normal race season with stride, drinking lots of water, keeping your athlete journal up-to-date, staying safe and healthy, and most of all, having fun. 

See you on the hill,

Paige

Another day, another podium for Breezy Johnson. The speed skier took third place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland—her fourth downhill podium in a row on the FIS World Cup this season. Bella Wright finished in a career-best 20th place.

In a race that was plagued by heavy overnight snow and wind holds throughout the day, Sofia Goggia won her third consecutive downhill race—a feat that has not been achieved since Lindsey Vonn was on the circuit—over the Czech Republic’s Ester Ledecka.

Johnson's third-place finish makes it four-for-four third places in downhill races so far this season and made her the fourth American woman to nail four World Cup downhill podiums, joining an elite crew of Vonn, Julia Mancuso, and Picabo Street. But Johnson is continuing to keep an eye on the higher podium spots and knows she’s not done yet.

“It’s definitely getting funny—funny is the proper adjective for it,” said Johnson. “I’m still really excited about the results and the third places, but I’m definitely eyeing the other positions!”

While she's hungry for better results, Johnson is also thrilled to finally be scoring the results she knew she had within her, especially after battling back from multiple injuries. “It’ll come,” she said. “I just need to be patient. I’ve been patient about not having a podium for four years on the World Cup, so now I just need to be patient about second place and first place.”

In just her second season—and first full season—on the World Cup, 23-year-old speed skier Bella Wright finished 20th, her best World Cup result so far. In St. Anton, Austria in early January, Wright scored her first World Cup points (downhill) and backed it up the following day with a personal best and her first World Cup points in super-G. To be a successful downhill skier, miles on the track, feel for the mountain, and a healthy balance of risk and reward are important. Wright is finding that flow, and feeling comfortable in the points, grabbing career-bests with each weekend, despite her lack of miles on these tracks—in fact, this is Wright's first year in Crans Montana. 

Rounding out the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team, Laurenne Ross—in just her third race back from injury—was 39th. Jackie Wiles was 44th.

The women race downhill again on Saturday before wrapping up the weekend with a super-G Sunday.

RESULTS
Women’s downhill

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST

Saturday, Jan. 23
4 a.m. – Women's Downhill – LIVE – Streaming Peacock + Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:30 a.m. – Men's Downhill – LIVE – Streaming Peacock
4:30 p.m. – Women's Downhill – Same Day Delayed Broadcast NBCSN
6 p.m. – Men's Downhill – Same Day Delayed Broadcast NBCSN

Sunday, Jan. 24
4:30 a.m. – Men's Super-G – LIVE – Streaming Peacock
6:00 a.m. – Women's Super-G – LIVE – Streaming Peacock
6:30 p.m. – Women's Super-G – Same Day Delayed Broadcast NBCSN
 

New England based luxury Alpine Sportswear label Alps & Meters has joined in partnership with the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team. This new collaborative relationship, forged to support the tradition of American alpine excellence, will develop a licensed collection of elevated sportswear garments which will include select apparel pieces and suiting separates. Alps & Meters will return a portion of all sales proceeds generated by this specific collection to the athletes of U.S. Ski & Snowboard to help foster the next generation of American alpine athletes and enthusiasts.

Founded with a mission to uphold the classic traditions of alpine sport, Alps & Meters is known worldwide for its luxury garments that are designed by tradition. Alps & Meters Forged Performance Product Creation Philosophy combines the world’s best natural materials, classic construction techniques, and contemporary technologies to craft high performance sportswear that is tailored, technical, and timeless.  A story telling brand regaling the narratives of people, places, memories, and moments connected to life in the mountains, Alps & Meters may be found at luxury sportswear retailers in North America and within its flagship boutiques at the St. Regis Resort Deer Valley, Utah, and in Boston, Massachusetts.

“As an American brand built upon skiing tradition, Alps & Meters holds the deepest respect for the Land Rover U.S. Ski Team, an organization which has been at the forefront of alpine sport development and competitiveness for more than 100 years, “ said Alps & Meters Founder/CEO, Louis Joseph, former Global Director of Strategy & Innovation at PUMA/Kering.  “To join in partnership with the U.S. Ski Team is an honor.  At Alps & Meters we look forward to collaborating with all U.S. Ski Team stakeholders in Park City, Utah, and around the world to further champion the great tradition of American skiing while co-creating a series of luxury sportswear assortments that will allow athletes, supporters, trustees, retail partners, and passionate skiers to join us in further fostering the tradition of American alpine excellence.”

“The Alps & Meters brand is passionate about ski tradition, a notion shared by the U.S. Ski Team,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief Revenue Officer Michael O’Conor. “Without recognizing and learning from our storied history, we cannot innovate into the future as we prepare our athletes to be the best in the world year after year. Creating this menswear collection with Alps & Meters will provide a way for our fans and supporters to share in our traditions, as well impact the future of the U.S. Ski Team with a portion of all sales directed back to the Team. We are excited to welcome Alps & Meters into the U.S. Ski Team family.”

###

About Alps & Meters:
Alps & Meters is a luxury sportswear brand headquartered in New England, USA.  Founded upon a mission to uphold the classic traditions of alpine sport, Alps & Meters’ products combine the world’s best natural materials, classic construction techniques, and contemporary technologies which craft high performance garments that are tailored, technical and timeless. 

#DesignedByTradition

To learn more about Alps & Meters visit www.alpsandmeters.com

Follow Alps & Meters on Instagram @alpsandmeters

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 2021, 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

Unfortunately, Olympian Ryan Cochran-Siegle crashed in Friday's downhill at Kitzbuehel, Austria, sustaining a minor cervical spine (neck) fracture. He is otherwise OK, thankfully. That said, he will sit out the remainder of the weekend and his return to competition is TBD.

Cochran Siegle—who had won the first training run and has been the top American downhiller all season long with multiple podiums in super-Gs and downhills (and was ranked third in the downhill standings heading into the weekend)—ended up on his tails below the Hausbergkante jump, went down on his hip on the traverse, and went through the netting. He was up and walking around after the crash, but airlifted by helicopter (per protocol, as there is no other way to get back on the track) and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. He had fast splits up top and was in the lead for a good portion of the race prior to his fall.

It may not seem possible, but 2021 was only Cochran-Siegle’s second year on the Streif. Last year, he DNFed (but was OK). He has yet to make it to the finish line at the Streif and will have to be reunited next year, as he will sit out the remainder of the weekend.

At the team meeting on Friday night, Ryan told his teammates, "Skiing is skiing...just go out there and have fun with it. Push yourselves. I definitely want to see you guys sending it tomorrow."

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Ryan Cochran-Siegle (@rc.s)

Double-Olympic gold medalist Jamie Anderson earned her fifth Laax Open title in Switzerland on Thursday at the FIS Snowboard World Cup slopestyle season opener.

“Today was really fun,” said Anderson. “I absolutely love to compete and it’s good to be back. I just wanted to go big, pop, grab and smile. I'm proud of myself for being able to stay mellow, keep it together, and put down the run I wanted to.”

Anderson’s performance came as no surprise, but overcast skies, wind, and snow added an element of uncertainty to the competition. The day called for low light lenses and plenty of blue dye on the landing to create perspective for the athletes. Anderson’s experience and ability to carry speed through the entire course served her well. 

U.S. Freeski & Snowboard Team Head Coach Mike Jankowski was elated about Anderson’s performance. 

“I’m happy to see Jamie get back into the contest swing with another win,” he said. ”She’s such a clutch competitor and a true legend. Her runs today were clean, technical, and going big was the name of the game for Jamie.”

After qualifying first in the semi-finals, Anderson had the luxury of dropping last. It became clear that many riders were struggling to clear the jumps, so she decided to put down a conservative but stylish first run to lock down second-place.

On the second and final run, Anderson had her sights set on the top of the podium and she successfully surpassed New Zealand’s Zoi Sadowski-Synott to take the lead. Not only did Anderson improve on her rails, but she increased her degree of difficulty by adding a perfectly stomped a cab double 900 Weddle into the mix. Anderson’s victory marks her seventh World Cup slopestyle win in 11 starts, as well as the ninth slopestyle win for a U.S. rider at the Laax Open since 2002. At 30-years-old and as the veteran in the field, this snowboarding icon shows no signs of slowing down.

Sadowski Synnott finished second and Australia's Tess Coady finished third. 

For the men, U.S. Snowboard Rookie Team member and 17-year-old Jake Canter stepped up for the Americans making his first World Cup final in only his third slopestyle start. He was no slouch in finals either, finishing in a respectable sixth place. Canter’s performance was highlighted by a very technical switch boardslide underflip 630 in the rails section, one of the heavier rail tricks of the day. 

Canter shared his excitement about being able to compete at the legendary event. 

"I've always wanted to compete at the Laax Open, so this past week was a dream for me," said Canter.  "Also, being able to land runs and compete against people I look up to really made every moment count. It was definitely a learning experience." 

Niklas Mattsson of Sweden won the event, Leon Vockensprger of Germany finished second and Norway’s Marcus Keveland rounded out the podium in third. 

Up next, Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim and the U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Team will take to the superpipe Saturday, Jan. 23, to close out the 2021 Laax Open. Be sure to action all the action on NBC’s broadcast and streaming platforms. 

RESULTS
Women’s slopestyle finals
Men’s slopestyle finals

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST.
Delayed Broadcast*

Saturday, Jan. 23
11:45 a.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe Finals - LIVE - Laax, Switzerland, Streaming Peacock, Olympic Channel-TV
7:00 p.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Slopestyle Finals - Laax, Switzerland, NBCSN*

Sunday, Jan. 24
1:00 a.m. - FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe Finals - Laax, Switzerland, NBCSN*
 

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Travis Ganong was the top American at the first downhill in Kitzbuehel, finishing just out of the top 10 in 11th place. Jared Goldberg and Bryce Bennett also finished within the points, taking 19th and 24th, respectively.

It was a strangely quiet day at the usually boisterous Hahnenkamm. The race has been dubbed the Super Bowl of skiing over its 81 years of existence, full of 80,000 rowdy Austrian partiers and is the highlight of the FIS World Cup Tour. However this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are no grandstands and fans are banned from the finish. But while it was calmer, the men still found the fire—putting it all on the line for the chance to win the most renowned race on the circuit. After finishing second in the Streif downhill five times over the years, Beat Feuz of Switzerland finally took his first big win on the track. Austrian Matthias Mayer was just behind him in second and Dominik Paris of Italy was third.

This was Ganong's 10th year racing the Kitzbuehel downhill and his second-best result on the track. He had shown speed in training, finishing seventh and second, and knew where to find it on race day. “Ski racing is one of the most challenging sports there is,” said Ganong on his Instagram. “Not only do you have to be in peak physical shape, have the best equipment and know how to ski, but then you have to push the boundaries or limits of what can be done on downhill skis, and take risk in gnarly situations like today to be competitive…Kitzbuhel Hannenkammrennan lived up to its name today, glad to finish in one piece in 11th. Time to refocus for tomorrow’s dh race #2."

Jared Goldberg added another top-20 finish to his solid 2020-21 season, taking 19th place. Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team teammate Bryce Bennett was just behind him in 24th. All three athletes who scored points on Friday were "iced" (long holds) in the start gate, unfortunately. Getting iced in downhill is never great, but getting iced in Kitzbuehel and having it happen to all three athletes after Cochran-Siegle crashed is even more unfortunate. Even so, the guys kept their cool as best as they could, and are looking forward to another chance on Saturday. 

Unfortunately, Ryan Cochran-Siegle—who had won one of the training runs and has been the top American downhiller all season long with multiple podiums in super-Gs and downhills (and was ranked third in the downhill standings heading into the weekend)—ended up on his tails below the Hausbergkante jump, went down on his hip on the traverse, and went through the netting. He was up and walking around after the crash and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Cochran-Siegle sustained a minor cervical spine (neck) fracture, and is otherwise OK, thankfully. That said, he will sit out the remainder of the weekend and his return is TBD. He had fast splits up top and was in the lead for a good portion of the race prior to his fall.

The race was called after the first 30 racers due to wind, so Sam Morse was unable to start.

The men get another go on the Streif on Saturday, racing the downhill again as a replacement for the canceled Wengen downhill. They then have a super-G on Sunday to finish out the weekend in Kitzbuehel.

RESULTS
Men’s downhill

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST

Saturday, Jan. 23
4 a.m. – Women's Downhill – LIVE – Streaming Peacock + Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:30 a.m. – Men's Downhill – LIVE – Streaming Peacock
4:30 p.m. – Women's Downhill – Same Day Delayed Broadcast NBCSN
6 p.m. – Men's Downhill – Same Day Delayed Broadcast NBCSN

Sunday, Jan. 24
4:30 a.m. – Men's Super-G – LIVE – Streaming Peacock
6:00 a.m. – Women's Super-G – LIVE – Streaming Peacock
6:30 p.m. – Women's Super-G – Same Day Delayed Broadcast NBCSN

It’s the most wonderful time of the year...that is, Hahnenkamm time at Kitzbuehel, Austria. It’s like Christmas Eve...but better. While the women are about to throw down in Crans Montana, Switzerland, the men are about to step into the start gate on the Streif. And there are visions of podiums dancing in our heads. It’s going to be a big weekend. Follow along. 

The 81st edition of the Hahnenkamm will be an experience like no other. Gone are the days where there are 80,000+ screaming fans, beer and gluhwein in hand, stumbling around the finish corral hoping for a peek at their ski racing heroes. It’s 2021, folks. We’re masked up, socially distant and there are no grandstands here at Kitzbuehel this year. Sure, it’s a bummer. A little bit eerie. But, also, it’s kind of special. In the 81 years of this race, it’s never been like this. The Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team is happy to be here, and thankful the organizers and the International Ski Federation (FIS) were able to pull it off. 

On the first day of downhill training on the Streif, Ryan Cochran-Siegle set the pace by .35 seconds, with teammate Travis Ganong on his heels in second, and Jared Goldberg in fifth, .57 seconds back. Cochran-Siegle grabbed his career-first podium in Val Gardena, Italy, with a second-place finish in the downhill and followed that up the following weekend with his career-first victory in the super-G at Bormio, Italy. He was the favorite for the win the very next day in the downhill, but made two incredible saves and ended up in seventh. With two opportunities to throw down on the Streif in downhill and one in super-G, this is one fans are not going to want to miss. What’s more, the start house got quite the makeover this year, so that in and of itself is worth the watch. 

In the second and final downhill training run on Thursday, Cochran-Siegle got low above the Steilhang (which, btw, means “steep slope”) section, and straddled the outside gate, going through the panel. He still had the 22nd fastest training run time. Ganong had the seventh-fastest time on Thursday, while Goldberg was in ninth. Folks: if you haven’t already gotten the point...you’re going to want to tune in this weekend. “It just takes good skiing from top to bottom, executing every turn, as well as I can. Today was a little all over the place up top, but I still had sections that were OK...definitely not race quality,” Cochran-Siegle reflected after the second downhill training run. 

It may not seem possible, but it is only Cochran-Siegle’s second year on the Streif. Last year, he DNFed (but was OK), and on Friday he’ll be looking to make it through the finish line. For the first time. With three opportunities this weekend, he and his teammates will have to be smart and conserve their energy. “You go into it knowing there are going to be three days, so pacing yourself on these days and trying to ramp up the intensity by Friday and into the weekend is important,” Cochran-Siegle added. ‘The key to this track is skiing tactically in places, and then you have to execute really well Steilhang on that flat down to that road...and down here, too, it’s about skiing with power in the apex and carrying speed through the terrain. I’m fine with it...I’m still enjoying it. I’m always just focusing on the skiing, and the slope is still very similar to every other year. That’s where I find joy. I’m sure other guys get energy from the crowd, but I just try to get energy from the slope.” 

The messages of good luck are flowing in from veteran teammate Steven Nyman, who is currently sidelined as he recovers from an Achilles injury, as well as American Downhillers Daron Rahlves and A.J. Kitt, who hosted the very successful Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team virtual fundraiser early this week. Rahlves, who won the downhill here in 2003, and the super-G in 2004 sent a text earlier, “Tell all the boys to definitely respect the Streif, but kick out of the gate to own it. Every time I got into that start I was thinking this could be the greatest day of my life as a racer. So critical to have that mindset approach, then execute!” 

On the women’s side, Breezy Johnson led the way in both training runs, with a notably fast second place in Thursday’s second and final training run. Her response? “That’s Fool’s Silver,” she wrote in a text. Of course, we all know tomorrow is the big day, and Johnson is mentally ready to throw down. Again, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO MISS THIS WEEKEND. Grab your popcorn, Pacifico, and get ready for an action-packed weekend that’ll also feature the winningest female alpine ski racer of all-time—Lindsey Vonn’s—debut on the Olympic Channel, as she calls the women’s downhill and super-G on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, alongside NBC’s Dan Hicks. 

Sad you can't be at Kitzbuehel? We feel ya. Don't stress, you can participate from home with the Virtual cheers with the A1 5Gigameter. 

STARTERS
Women
Breezy Johnson
Tricia Mangan (super-G)
Laurenne Ross
Jackie Wiles
Bella Wright

Men
Bryce Bennett
Ryan Cochran-Siegle
Travis Ganong
Jared Goldberg
Sam Morse

RESULTS
Men’s Downhill Training Run 1
Men’s Downhill Training Run 2
Women’s Downhill Training Run 1
Women’s Downhill Training Run 2

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST

Friday, Jan. 22
4:00 a.m. – Women's Downhill – LIVE – Streaming Peacock + Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:30 a.m. – Men's Downhill – LIVE – Streaming Peacock + Broadcast Olympic Channel

Saturday, Jan. 23
4 a.m. – Women's Downhill – LIVE – Streaming Peacock + Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:30 a.m. – Men's Downhill – LIVE – Streaming Peacock
4:30 p.m. – Women's Downhill – Same Day Delayed Broadcast NBCSN
6 p.m. – Men's Downhill – Same Day Delayed Broadcast NBCSN

Sunday, Jan. 24
4:30 a.m. – Men's Super-G – LIVE – Streaming Peacock
6:00 a.m. – Women's Super-G – LIVE – Streaming Peacock
6:30 p.m. – Women's Super-G – Same Day Delayed Broadcast NBCSN
 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today a partnership with award-winning non-profit health education innovator TeachAids to provide members cutting-edge concussion education resources as part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to athlete health and wellness. 

More than 2.5 million young people suffer concussions in the United States each year. With proper care, most concussions can heal within 10 days, but the overwhelming majority suffering from concussion symptoms are unaware of the latest science around prevention and treatment. TeachAids’ Crash Course Education initiative sets out to solve this problem with an innovative platform.

CrashCourse is a video-based interactive learning experience developed alongside a world-class team of academics, researchers, doctors, and athletes. CrashCourse utilizes virtual reality and other interactive online technologies, taking an individual through real-life scenarios, a Brain Fly-Through, a Concussion Story Wall, as well as a series of short films with respected athletes who raise awareness and thereby reduce stigma. 

“CrashCourse will not only enhance our ability as an organization to educate athletes and coaches, but thanks to TeachAids’ extensive network, it will also allow U.S. Ski & Snowboard to collaborate with some of the country’s top sports organizations,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Director of Sport Education Gar Trayner.“ Between the groundbreaking technology and extensive network of teams, athletes, and medical professionals that TeachAids brings to the table, we look forward to improving our internal health education processes as well as creating greater concussion awareness within the ski and snowboard community.”

"It's been incredibly inspiring to work with the leadership at U.S. Ski & Snowboard,” said Dr. Piya Sorcar, founder and CEO of TeachAids. “They care deeply about identifying research-based and highly impactful methods to make sport safer. "

For more information on CrashCourse by TeachAids, its partners, and to view their free curricula, visit www.CrashCourse.TeachAids.org.

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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 2021, 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.

About CrashCourse by TeachAids
TeachAids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social venture that creates breakthrough software addressing numerous persistent problems in health education around the world, including HIV/AIDS, concussion, and COVID-19 education. CrashCourse is the second free health education program launched by TeachAids in collaboration with Stanford University, following the global success of its award-winning HIV/AIDS interactive software, which is used in 82 countries around the world. For more information on TeachAids visit TeachAids.org or follow us on Twitter @TeachAids, Facebook @TeachAids, YouTube at TeachAids, and Instagram at @teachaids.

The U.S. Revolution Tour will once again support the freeski and snowboard development pipeline with back-to-back weeks of FIS NorAm competition. The 17th edition of the Rev Tour kicks off at Buttermilk in Aspen, Colo., and marks a new collaboration with the esteemed Aspen Snowmass Open.

“We want to thank the freeski and snowboard community for their support and patience as we navigate the challenging landscape for hosting competitions this season,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Events Manager Sarah Emery. “We owe a huge shout out to our amazing resort partners for their continued support and dedication to delivering safe and progressive competitions. We are excited about our new partnership with the Aspen Snowmass Open and look forward to adding snowboard back to this legacy event.”

The Rev Tour at the Aspen Snowmass Open is set to kick things off with halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air competitions Feb. 21-26. Competitions will take place on the X Games Aspen courses, providing a taste of what it takes to compete at the pinnacle of freeski and snowboard competition. 

The Rev Tour is focused on athletes 13-19 years of age and awards top athletes an invite to compete in the U.S. Grand Prix, Junior Worlds, and participate in Project Gold camps. Events are open to prequalified athletes, but additional opportunities also are available to earn a chance to compete. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s continued partnership with USASA and The Futures Tour provides an avenue for athletes to qualify for the Rev Tour as a “last chance qualifier” into the current season, as well as solidify their prequalified spot for 2021-22 season. Athletes can also register an alternate, in which case FIS and World Snowboard Points List rankings will determine the athletes selected to complete the field. 

All events are contingent on local and state health department approvals based on existing and future COVID-19 rules and regulations. FIS, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, local organizing committees, and host venues are taking a unified approach consistent with guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities.

For More Information Contact:
Lyndsay Gang
Events Administrative Coordinator 
lyndsay.gang@usskiandsnowboard.org