The 2022 Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel is officially on! The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) gave the green light for the first domestic Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup of the season. The Stifel U.S. Alpine Team women’s tech team will travel to Killington, Vt., over Thanksgiving weekend for two days of racing in front of tens of thousands of passionate and loud fans on the iconic Superstar course. 

Read more about the positive snow report courtesy of Killington. 

KILLINGTON, Vt. (Nov. 16, 2022) – Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America and part of POWDR, is pleased to have received a positive snow control announcement from FIS (International Ski Federation), the governing body of the FIS Ski World Cup. 

With this announcement, Killington Resort can assure international race teams and ski racing fans traveling to central Vermont for Thanksgiving weekend that both the giant slalom and slalom races will take place as scheduled on November 26 and 27.  

General admission tickets are available for $5 at  www.killington.com/worldcup. All general admission proceeds will benefit the Killington World Cup Foundation to provide grants that support winter sports in the Northeast. Limited Sunday VIP Packages are available through the Killington World Cup Foundation at kwcgivesback.org. All Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel spectators will need a ticket to gain entry to this year’s event. 

“I can confidently say that the entire Killington community is excited, and maybe a little relieved, to hear the news of FIS approval for race course snow preparation, giving the green light to bring world class elite ski racing to the East coast in just over a week. After such a warm fall, and with several races cancelled elsewhere in the world, receiving the FIS approval is a testament to Killington’s powerful snowmaking system and expert team,” said Herwig Demschar, SVP of international business development at POWDR and World Cup local organizing chairman. “The sixth iteration of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup will be another incredible weekend of competition and camaraderie. Athletes from more than 20 countries are on their way to the Green Mountain State in the coming days, and the resort, POWDR, and Killington community are delighted to welcome them all.” 

Snowmaking continues on Superstar and Skylark in preparation for the race until a few days before, when the grooming team will take over to finalize the course. Skiing and riding is also available, as Killington Resort will open the North Ridge area for passholders on November 17 and the general public the day after. The team continues its efforts to expand skiable terrain whenever conditions allow.  

A full schedule of events at Killington Resort during World Cup Weekend including race start times, entertainment, concerts by Michael Franti, Noah Kahan, Stephen Kellogg and DJ Angie Vee, plus information on many free parking and shuttle bus options is available at  www.killington.com/worldcup. Killington strongly suggests to not bring bags to the venue; priority for security screening will be given to those without bags. 

Stay connected to the Killington Cup on social media with #beast365 and by  signing up for text message alerts. 

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U.S. Ski & Snowboard announces the launch of the Heroic Initiative—a movement celebrating and empowering women in skiing and snowboarding. The multi-faceted program will be brought to life at the newly renamed 2022 Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel, the world’s most attended women’s FIS World Cup, as a space to discuss, honor and lead innovation in women in skiing and snowboarding. Stifel is the first partner of an activation as part of the Heroic program. 

The initiative is designed to celebrate the power of women while also investing in their future success. In the 2022-23 debut season of Heroic, the first focus will be coaching, launching at Killington. While the participation of women in skiing and snowboarding continues to grow, only 25% of skiing and snowboarding coaches are women with even less representation at the elite level. Heroic Coaching aims to increase the number of women coaches at all levels of our sports.

“The Heroic Initiative was created because U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to providing more leadership, opportunities and mentorship for women to achieve further greatness in our sports,” says Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “This multi-faceted and purpose-driven initiative aims to empower, inspire and lead women in their fields on and off the snow and we could not be more excited to kick it off at the 2022 Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel.”

The Heroic initiative is building on a program spearheaded by leading women at the organization, including U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Director of High Performance Gillian Bower, DPT, Director of Sport Science Tschana Schiller, Director of Sports Medicine Jaron Santelli, MD and Clinical Specialist Torey Anderson, DPT. The system includes health and wellness programs to help female athletes track their hormone levels and menstrual cycles to gain knowledge about their personal physiology, know how to better fuel their bodies and make better-informed decisions on their training schedules and intensity levels. The team has also engaged two additional female sports psychologists in 2022 to provide more opportunities for women athletes to connect and develop a relationship with a woman provider.

Additionally, U.S. Ski & Snowboard plans to work with women leaders in other industries to provide fellowships for athletes and women in the industry, as well as long-term goals to develop grants to address core challenges. These objectives include programs like flex funds to allow a woman coach to step in for another woman coach when one has responsibilities outside of her sport, a childcare fund to support coaches of all genders bringing their children on the road or need childcare while working, studies to learn about the barriers preventing women from rising as coaches, and mentorship programs to allow female coaches to learn elite coaching strategies on the national team. 

“Hosting the best female alpine skiers in the world each year is just one thing that’s made Killington the premier destination for women’s alpine skiing and its fans,” says Killington Director of Brand Marketing and Events Amy Laramie. “Our commitment to empowering women lasts long after the Killington Cup is over. The Beast has produced Olympians such as Donna Weinbrecht and Hannah Soar and we’ve consistently hosted women’s camps and clinics for years, just a few of the reasons we’re proud to be an epicenter of women’s skiing.”

The first-ever Heroic Summit will take place at the annual Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel and will feature speaker panels and meet and greets, all centered around the common goal of advancing women in winter sports. 

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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 2022, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined, and ski jumping. In addition to the fully-funded 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)  — Pacifico® extends contract as the official beer of U.S. Ski & Snowboard for the 2022-23 season. Pacifico has been a premier corporate partner since January 2019 and will continue to serve our fans and athletes in the upcoming year.

Pacifico Clara®, a golden lager with a crisp, refreshing flavor, was first brewed in the small Mexican port town of Mazatlán in 1900, then rediscovered in Baja by California surfers. Excited by their find, the surfers loaded up a few cases of the rich golden lager into their van and returned north, becoming the first “importers” of Pacifico. With support from the surfing community, Pacifico has grown to be the beer for independent spirits who followed their own path. The brand has been a steadfast supporter of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team for years.

“We are very excited to extend our partnership with Pacifico as the official beer of U.S. Ski & Snowboard,” says Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “For years, Pacifico has been a loyal, creative partner and we look forward to having their great product on hand for our fans to enjoy at every domestic World Cup around the U.S.”

With the extension, Pacifico remains a partner throughout the 2022-23 season at hospitality events, après parties, vendor villages and within the competition spectating areas at each domestic World Cup event, including:

Freeski and Snowboard

• Dec. 16-17: Toyota U.S. Grand Prix, Copper Mountain, Colorado; men and women’s halfpipe
• Dec. 16-17: Visa Big Air presented by Toyota, Copper Mountain, Colorado; men and women’s big air
• Feb. 2-4: Toyota U.S. Grand Prix, Mammoth Mountain, California; men and women’s halfpipe/slopestyle

Freestyle

• Feb. 2-4: Intermountain Healthcare Freestyle International, Deer Valley, Utah; men and women’s aerials, moguls, dual moguls

Alpine

• Nov. 26-27: Killington Cup, Vermont; women’s slalom/giant slalom
• Dec. 2-4: Xfinity Birds of Prey, Beaver Creek, Colorado; men’s super-G/downhill/downhill
• Feb. 25-26: Palisades Tahoe, California; men’s slalom/giant slalom
• March 3-5: Aspen World Cup, Colorado; men’s super-G/downhill

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About Pacifico®

Pacifico Clara® is a golden lager with a crisp, refreshing, flavor. Founded in Mazatlán, Mexico in 1900, Pacifico was originally “imported” to the U.S. by Californian surfers who visited Baja, loved the beer and brought it back to the U.S. to share with other like-minded individuals. Those surfers epitomized the essence of Pacifico – independent spirits who followed their own path – and their spirit is carried on by the brand to this day. Explore the story that’s inspired countless others to Live Life Anchors Up by visiting discoverpacifico.com and instagram.com/pacificobeer. 

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 2022, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined, and ski jumping. In addition to the fully-funded 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.

For More Information, Please Contact:

U.S. Ski & Snowboard

Courtney Harkins, Director, Marketing and Communications

courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org

978.314.1019

Pacifico

Stephanie McGuane

stephanie.mcguane@cbrands.com

312.805.2906

Stifel U.S. Alpine Team athlete and seven-time World Cup podium finisher Breezy Johnson announced Monday that she is bisexual. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Breezy Johnson (@breezyjohnsonski)

“So I'm bisexual. Before this season starts I wanted to be open about who I am,” said Johnson in a recent social media post

Johnson made the official announcement Monday morning via her personal Instagram page. She details in the post that she wants people who ever feel different to feel loved and represented.  

“To those people out there who feel a little different and want to see people like them at the top I am here to represent that we are out there, we are normal, and we can do whatever we want,” said Johnson. “To the trolls who want to hate, hate doesn't beat love…To those who just want to hear about racing, headed to Copper for the final training block! LFG With love to all who support me, I appreciate it.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard stands behind Breezy in her announcement and is proud of her for coming out publicly.  

“We as an organization not only stand behind Breezy in her announcement but support her in this moment,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “We are very proud to have her represent our team and our country and now the LGBTQIA+ community.”

Chief of Sport Anouk Patty also shared her support. “I am so proud of Breezy,” said Patty. “It takes courage to be true to yourself and to be a role model for others. She is so strong and amazing both on and off the hill. I’m so happy today for our team and our sports broadly. When every athlete can be their true selves, they are their best selves."

Johnson is currently at the official training venue, Copper Mountain, as she prepares for the season ahead.

Due to warm weather and lack of snow, along with an unfavorable forecast, the men's and women's Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup parallel events in Lech-Zürs, Austria on Nov. 12-13 are officially canceled. 

Moving forward, the women's tech team will travel to Levi, Finland on Nov. 19-20 and then Killington, Vermont for the Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel on Nov. 26-27. The men's team will head to Lake Louise, Canada for downhill and super-G on Nov. 22-27.

Known as the "Oscars" of sports awards, the AAU James E. Sullivan Award honors an outstanding athlete in the United States and has been recognizing the nation's best since 1930. This year, U.S. Ski & Snowboard's very own Chloe Kim is nominated among 19 other incredible nominees and she needs your help to bring home another win! 

Chloe is the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding gold medal at just 17 years old. Her storied career on the U.S. Snowboard Team started in 2015 and includes countless victories, most notably two Olympic gold medals in halfpipe at the 2018 and 2022 Olympic Winter Games, two World Championship victories and several X Games medals. Off the snow, Chloe was recognized at the ESPYs as the Best Female Action Sports Athlete, Best Female Athlete and Best Female Olympian. 

Voting is open to the public and closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. You can vote once per day up until voting closes. 

VOTE NOW! 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today the appointment of Rick Bower to Snowboard Sport Director and Skogen Sprang to Freeski Sport Director. Sprang and Bower have been with U.S. Ski & Snowboard for over a decade and have led their athletes on the freeski and snowboard teams to tremendous success. 

Former Snowboard Halfpipe Head Coach, Bower was a World Champion in snowboard halfpipe in 1999, and has been with the U.S. Snowboard Team since 2006. Since then, he has been part of five Olympic Winter Games, leading his athletes to 14 Olympic medals. Bower is a five-time International Snowboard Coach of the Year and winner of the prestigious USOPC Olympic Coach of the Year Award in 2011, as well as a three-time recipient of the Order of Ikkos award from his Olympic medaling athletes. He has also been a champion of advancing women’s snowboarding and has been pivotal to the success of athletes such as Olympic medalists Kelly Clark, Gretchen Bleiler and Chloe Kim. 

“I am very excited to continue my work with the U.S. Snowboard Team,” said Bower. “Not only are these tremendous athletes, but incredible people to be around. My focus in this new role will continue to be giving them the tools and opportunities to excel.”

“Rick brings a deep understanding of what an athlete needs to achieve their full potential and how to build a program around those athletes,” said Anouk Patty, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport. “He will lead from experience with passion and purpose and we are super excited to see this snowboard team soar under Ricky’s leadership.” 

Sprang also enters his new role with a breadth of experience and success. A U.S. Freeski Team slopestyle and big air head coach since 2012, Sprang was named U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Coach of the Year in 2021 and International Freeskiing Coach of the Year. He has led the U.S. Freeski Team to three Olympic Games where they’ve won eight Olympic medals and has helped his athletes win one-third of the total freeski Olympic medals available in history—more than any coach from other countries. Along with Bower, Sprang has also been named a USOPC National Olympic Coach of the Year and is a four-time recipient of the Order of Ikkos award. He is also a 2000 X Games silver medalist in freeski big air. 

“I’ve been with the U.S. Freeski Team for years and have learned a great deal, which has given me the tools and knowledge to provide even more for this sport and go even bigger in the years to come,” said Sprang. “I look forward to continuing my work with these incredible athletes for years to come and cannot wait to see how this sport evolves in the future.” 

“Skogen is committed to making us the best we can be,” said Patty. “We know he will lead with passion, experience, curiosity and a deep love of the sport and its athletes.”

Bower and Sprang will oversee their national teams and will work closely with the development programs. Ashley Diebold, the Snowboard/Freeski Sport Development Director, will support both new Sport Directors. Together they will manage the progression of the rookie athletes onto the elite teams and will play a significant role in engaging with the clubs and programs in the community to identify and nurture talent and the sports overall.  

U.S. Ski & Snowboard returned to New York City on October 27, 2022 for the 56th time for the organization’s largest annual fundraising event: the Gold Medal Gala. Benefitting the athletes of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the New York Gold Medal Gala welcomes passionate supporters and fans for a night of inspiration and fun that raised over $2 million—the most money raised at a Gold Medal Gala in history. 

This year’s theme focused on “the edge” and how U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes are always pushing themselves to the limit to achieve greatness. Fittingly, an athlete who always pushed the limits whenever he competed was also celebrated, Shaun White was honored at the event. The five-time Olympian and three-time Olympic gold medalist was awarded the Golden Goat statue from fellow GOAT and Olympic champion teammate Lindsey Vonn. The award recognizes his legacy in snowboarding and how he transcended the sport. White accepted the award in front of his family, teammates, supporters and friends and was surprised with a video where legends like Kelly Slater, David Beckham, Chloe Kim and several others congratulated him on his career and well-deserved retirement. 

This year, 500 passionate supporters of the team, as well as 32 past and present athletes from all sports, came together to raise over $2 million for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. This amount surpasses any amount ever raised in previous years, and every single dollar raised goes on to support the athletes as they continue their quest of becoming the best in the world. 

“We are immensely grateful to everyone who attended the event, both in person and virtually,” says Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “To be in the same room with some of the best athletes in the world is a privilege and what better way to end the gala than knowing we raised an incredible amount of money to help them achieve their dreams. Thank you to everyone who donated and who continuously supports these incredible athletes year after year.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today an official partnership with Stifel Financial (NYSE:SF), a leading wealth management and investment banking company. Under terms of the agreement, Stifel will become the title sponsor of the Stifel U.S. Alpine Team.

The partnership marries two brands that share common values, including success, precision, and partnership. Moving forward, the U.S. Alpine Ski Team will be renamed the Stifel U.S. Alpine Team, which includes decorated athletes such as three-time Olympic medalist Mikaela Shiffrin, 2022 Olympic silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle and eight-time FIS World Cup podium finisher Breezy Johnson. In addition, U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Stifel will collaborate on a career and financial education program, designed to help athletes with savings and investing strategy. 

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Stifel,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President & CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “This is the most significant alpine partnership in U.S. Ski & Snowboard history, supporting alpine skiers from the development level to the World Cup. Stifel’s long-term commitment combined with our comparable values makes them the perfect partner.”

This is the first alpine partnership for U.S. Ski & Snowboard that encompasses all elite levels of competition in North America, including World Cup, NorAms and National Championships, and will be kicking off a season with the most domestic alpine World Cups in history. Stifel will serve as the title sponsor of the men’s FIS Alpine Ski World Cup event in Palisades Tahoe, California and as a sponsor of the additional men’s FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events in Beaver Creek, Colorado and Aspen, Colorado, as well as the women’s FIS Alpine Ski World Cup event in Killington, Vermont.

“At Stifel, success is ingrained in our culture,” said Stifel Chairman and CEO Ronald J. Kruszewski. “We have become a firm where success meets success – one that attracts successful individuals and partners, recognizes up-and-coming successes, and helps others achieve success. The athletes of the U.S. Alpine Team exemplify dedication, focus, and perseverance and represent the very definition of success. Stifel is excited to partner with U.S. Ski & Snowboard to support these athletes on the world stage.”

Stifel has also been named the title sponsor of the U.S. NorAm Tour, which is the pipeline for young athletes to earn their spot on the Stifel U.S. Alpine Team with hopes of representing the USA internationally in the World Cup, World Championships and Olympics. Stifel will also become the presenting partner of the Toyota U.S. Alpine Championships, where national titles are awarded annually in downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom.

“Stifel and their leadership have been longtime supporters of alpine skiing and the team, and we’re thrilled to bring them on as the official title sponsor of the Stifel U.S. Alpine Team,” said three-time Olympic medalist Mikaela Shiffrin. “I also love that they will be supporting the team at every level including developing the pipeline to help build the next generation of Olympic champions in the United States.”

In addition to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard relationship, Stifel also has sponsorship agreements with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues, several PGA golfers, and is the presenting sponsor of the Haskins and ANNIKA Awards, which honor the nation’s top collegiate golfers, and the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl.

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About Stifel

Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel’s broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners business division; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC; and in the United Kingdom and Europe through Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited. The Company’s broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at www.stifel.com.

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 2022, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined, and ski jumping. In addition to the fully-funded 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

U.S. Ski & Snowboard

Courtney Harkins

Director, Marketing & Communications

courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org

Stifel

Neil Shapiro

Head of Corporate Communications

shapiron@stifel.com

After the snow control meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 25, it was officially announced that the two women's Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup downhill races slated for Nov. 5-6, 2022 are canceled. The races will not be replaced on this season's World Cup calendar. 

The Matterhorn Cervino downhill was to be the first cross-border downhill race in FIS history. According to FIS, the organizers in Zermatt and Cervinia are already hard at work to make the premiere of the Matterhorn Cervino Speed Opening in 2023 a reality.