In February 2020, Mikaela Shiffrin lost her father, Jeff Shiffrin, in an unexpected accident. A fixture in her life and her career as a ski racer, "the Shiffrin family rock," was suddenly gone. Shiffrin was on set shooting the cover of Sports Illustrated in Europe while her father was being rushed to the hospital. A highlight of her career immediately became one of the worst days of her life and rocked her into a funk that almost meant the end of her ski racing career.

Two years after his death, NBC Olympics has released an emotional nine-minute tribute to Jeff's legacy, one which he left behind in photographs that decorate Shiffrin's home in Edwards, Colorado. Shiffrin, her brother Taylor, and her mother Eileen open up about the devastating experience and the moment she chose to continue when all she wanted was to let go.

World champion and US Olympic cross-country skier, Julia Kern, gives Good Housekeeping the inside scoop of what it's like to live as an Olympic competitor.

Take a tour through the official cross country ski truck which holds gear, around 600 skis, and a personal wax technician. Not only does Julia give a tour of the gear closet on wheels, but also her living accommodations which includes an apartment, a chef, and we can’t forget all the snacks! Come get a glimpse of what life is like on the road as Julia Kern prepares for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Cole McDonald, Dylan Walczyk, Jaelin Kauf, Olivia Giaccio, and Hannah Soar each qualified to compete in mogul finals this coming weekend after laying down solid runs in the first mogul's qualifier of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. 

Kauf posted the top result for the U.S. women in the first qualifier, finishing third, followed by Giaccio in fourth, and Soar in seventh. McDonald led the way for the American men in fifth. Walczyk finished tenth overall. Because each athlete finished in the top 10 in Thursday’s first qualification round, they do not have to compete in a second qualification round this weekend and will head straight to the finals.

“In the start gate I felt super good up there, really calm, not too nervous,” commented 18-year-old McDonald. “I was really happy with that top jump. I thought I landed super well and skied out super well. The middle section felt great, very few breaks in there. The only flaw in that run I felt like was in the bottom air, but overall really happy with my first Olympic run.” 

The Olympic format for moguls competition consists of two qualification rounds. In the first qualifier, the top 10 skiers advance directly to the final. The remaining 20 skiers have another opportunity to qualify in a second qualification round. Each athlete is then ranked by their best run between qualifiers one and two, to determine the second group of 10 skiers that will advance into the final. 

A total of 20 athletes of each gender will compete in the final rounds that determine who will take home an Olympic medal. The top 12 scores of Final Round 1 advance to Final Round 2. In Final Round 2, the top six scores advance to the super final, where the top six athletes will compete for a spot on the Olympic podium and a medal for their home country.

The second round of qualifications is scheduled for the same day as finals. Nick Page and Bradley Wilson will have another chance to qualify for the final round on Saturday, Feb. 5. Kai Owens has the opportunity to compete in Sunday's event per FIS rules. Owens did not start in the first qualification round on Thursday.

RESULTS
Women’s qualifying
Men’s qualifying

HOW TO WATCH

Please note: Streaming services and apps are third-party services and subject to such parties’ terms of use and data privacy. U.S. Ski & Snowboard disclaims any and all liability for use of third-party services and apps.

*All times EST.

Friday, Feb. 4, 2022
6:30 a.m. NBC Special Opening Ceremony Live from 2022 Winter Olympic Games, NBC Broadcast, NBCOlympics.com, Streaming Peacock
11:00 p.m. West Coast Encore Opening Ceremony 2022 Winter Olympic Games, National Stadium, Beijing, CHN NBC Broadcast

Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022
3:00 a.m. Primetime Opening Ceremony 2022 Winter Olympic Games, National Stadium, Beijing, CHN, NBC Broadcast
5:00 a.m. Freestyle Skiing – Men's Moguls Qualifying 2, Secret Garden, Zhangjiakou, CHN, USA Network, NBCOlympics.com, Streaming Peacock
6:00 a.m. Freestyle Skiing – Men's Moguls Finals, Secret Garden, Zhangjiakou, CHN, USA Network, NBCOlympics.com, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022
5:00 a.m. Freestyle Skiing – Women's Moguls Qualifying 2, Secret Garden, Zhangjiakou, CHN, NBCOlympics.com, Streaming Peacock
6:00 a.m. Freestyle Skiing – Women's Moguls Qualifying 2, Secret Garden, Zhangjiakou, CHN, USA Network
6:30 a.m. Freestyle Skiing – Women's Moguls Finals, Secret Garden, Zhangjiakou, CHN, NBCOlympics.com, Streaming Peacock
6:30 a.m. 2022 Winter Olympics Medal Ceremonies Day 2, NBCOlympics.com, Streaming Peacock

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today the appointment of Guy Slattery as the organization’s new Chief Marketing Officer. Slattery will be responsible for all aspects of U.S. Ski & Snowboard's brand development and communications. Prior to joining the organization, Slattery was CMO at VICE Media. He will report to President & CEO Sophie Goldschmidt.

As CMO, Slattery will be responsible for setting U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s overarching brand strategy and marketing plan to expand the profile of the organization and its athletes across all disciplines, including the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboard Team and U.S. Freeski Team. He will oversee the strategy and execution of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s marketing, communications, social media, broadcasts, content development, events and creative services to grow the organization’s fan base and maximize revenue streams, and opportunities with media, brands and influencers.

“Guy is a dynamic and highly regarded award-winning marketing executive who I’m confident will lead the growth of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s global profile,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO. “His extensive successes in entertainment marketing and content development align very well with our organization’s vision for the future of snow sports. We are thrilled to have Guy lead our marketing efforts and drive commercial success through a long-term brand strategy. I look forward to working with him on developing new ways to engage with and grow our communities.” 

“Being a ski and snowboard enthusiast myself, I understand the passion and commitment that athletes, teams and brands bring to snow sports, and I look forward to helping raise the national and global profiles of all involved,” said Slattery. “I’m thrilled to work at the epicenter of this culture, and I’m looking forward to working with Sophie to continue building on the organization’s storied legacy.”

Slattery most recently served as CMO and President of TV for VICE Media, where he built and led the team that launched the Emmy award-winning television network VICELAND. After launching VICELAND, Slattery was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer, where he drove growth and innovation through the development and marketing of the VICE brand portfolio (VICE.com, VICE News, VICE TV, VICE Studios, Refinery 29, Virtue, Pulse Films) across all platforms and lines of business, including advertising and design, brand positioning and identity, branded content, consumer research and insights.

Before joining VICE, Slattery was Executive Vice President of Marketing at A+E Networks, responsible for all marketing, creative and brand strategy for A&E and HISTORY during a period that saw both networks grow to become among the top five entertainment networks in cable. Before his tenure at A+E Networks, Slattery led marketing and communications for the National Geographic Channel globally and held marketing leadership roles at Sky UK, Star TV Asia, and MGM.

Slattery holds a B.A. degree in economics from the University of Manchester in England. He is an avid snowboarder and will be relocating from New York to Park City, Utah.

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 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 value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Kevin Flight, Elevate Communications/U.S. Ski & Snowboard, kflight@elevatecom.com

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today a new partnership with Woodward, designating Woodward Copper, Colorado and Woodward Park City, Utah facilities as Official Training Centers for U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes through January 2025. This agreement will see athletes from U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the United States, training at Woodward Copper and Woodward Park City leading up to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, providing invaluable access as athletes train to reach podiums.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Woodward to elevate our freeski and snowboard athletes’ training,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle, Freeski and Snowboard Director Jeremy Forster. “Woodward’s facilities at Copper Mountain and in Park City will provide key year-round training for our Pro and Rookie Team athletes for years to come.”

Woodward Copper, located at Copper Mountain, Colorado, stands out as a top training destination for every level of competitor. Along with its Superpipe and Central Park, the resort recently debuted two airbag training zones for elite-level halfpipe and big air athletes, which offers some of the best and most consistent training for freeskiers and snowboarders. 

“Over time Woodward Copper has evolved to become the proving ground for snowboarding and progression,” says Red Gerard, U.S. Olympic slopestyle gold medalist. “I am beyond thrilled that Copper has leveled up even more with the addition of new training bags and an official partnership with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team.”  

“Our partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard is stronger than ever and we’re proud to provide even more world-class training opportunities for their athletes,” said Dustin Lyman, president and general manager of Copper Mountain. “For decades, we’ve looked forward to hosting U.S. Team athletes for training and competition each season. It is our privilege to expand this partnership, and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team is a big reason why we are considered the Athlete’s Mountain.” 

Woodward Park City, Utah provides consistent, year-round access to high-performance training indoor and outdoor venues, including the 66,000 square-foot indoor Action Sports Hub, which is comprised of trampolines, foam pits and proprietary training tools, along with the outdoor Mountain Park, which includes a superpipe and big air jump. 

“It’s been amazing to see Woodward embrace progression and training areas indoors and on-mountain at both Copper and Woodward Park City,” says Shaun White, five-time Olympian and professional snowboarder. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the pipes at both places the past two seasons getting ready for the Olympics.” 

“Woodward Park City was built with the intention of empowering and inspiring the next generation of action sports athletes,” explains Woodward Park City General Manager Phoebe Mills. “This partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard furthers our commitment to current and future U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and encourages local youth to dream big.”

The partnership with Woodward gives U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team athletes new tools and venues for athletes to progress through the next four-year cycle in preparation for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Woodward’s indoor and outdoor high-performance training venues create an ideal setting for training high level athletes in multiple disciplines. 

###

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 Copper Mountain
Located just 75 miles west of Denver, Colo., Copper Mountain offers a pure mountain experience that inspires adventure, elevates ambition and empowers progression. During the winter, Copper’s world class naturally divided terrain provides skiers and riders access to over 2,500 acres of high alpine adventure. Each summer, the mountain transforms into an unspoiled playground for hikers, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Three centralized pedestrian villages provide a vibrant atmosphere complete with slope-side lodging, dining, shopping and activities. Copper Mountain is home to Woodward Copper and he U.S. Ski Team Speed Center which facilitate year-round training for every level of athlete. Copper Mountain is part of the POWDR Adventure Lifestyle Co. portfolio, and an Ikon Pass partner. POWDR is a family-owned adventure lifestyle company (TM) that believes there is nothing better for your soul than to spend time with the people you love, doing the things you love. 

About Woodward Park City
Woodward Park City is a world-class, year-round action sports community club in one of the greatest outdoor regions in the world. Encompassing a fully integrated 125-acre campus with a state-of-the-art action sports hub, action sports parks and mountain parks, Woodward Park City encourages intuitive growth and safe progression for passionate action sports athletes of all ages and abilities to play and train every day, 365 days and nights a year. Visitors to Woodward Park City can experience lift-accessed snowboarding, skiing, tubing and mountain biking, as well as indoor and outdoor facilities for skateboarding, BMX, scooter, parkour, and cheer. Woodward Park City is part of the global Woodward experiential action sports company on a mission to inspire the next generation of action sports and athletes and is also part of the POWDR portfolio.

Media Contacts:
Annie Fast, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
annie.fast@usskiandsnowboard.org

Meisha Ross, Woodward Park City
mross@woodwardparkcity.com

Taylor Prather, Copper Mountain
tprather@coppercolorado.com

In the New York Times exclusive multimedia feature, What Scares the World's Most Daring Olympians, published Feb. 1, 2022, journalists explore the five biggest fears of Winter Olympic athletes – getting hurt, new tricks, bad weather, uncertainty, and skiing nearly blind. Five parts, five stories, one for each fear. 

Each piece walks readers through an interactive, visual experience that depicts the thoughts and feelings that race through the minds of the athletes as they push themselves to new speeds and new heights. As a whole, it is a testament to the grit, determination, and focus that every athlete channels when they put their bodies on the line in pursuit of a feeling – a feeling that defies fear and derives exuberance. The Olympic stage is one most athletes spend their entire lives pursuing, an opportunity none of them will take for granted, no matter the stakes.

The article features three dozen active and retired Winter Olympians, including U.S. Ski & Snowboard's very own Jamie Anderson, Erik Arvidsson, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Billy Demong, Red Gerard, Faye Gulini, Breezy Johnson, Casey Larson, Ben Loomis, Annika Malacinski, Alice Merryweather, Steven Nyman, River Radamus, Logan Sankey, Shaun White, and Jackie Wiles.

"The Winter Olympics are a carnival of danger, a spectacle of speed and slick surfaces, powered mostly by the undefeated force of gravity. Skiers hurtle themselves down mountains faster than cars drive on highways. Sliders ride high-speed sleds down a twisting chute of ice. Ski jumpers soar great distances through the air, and snowboarders and freestyle skiers flip and spin in the sky and hope for a safe landing. The next wipeout always feels moments away. The athletes who perform these daring feats are not crazy. They are not reckless. But they do have one thing in common that might surprise those of us who watch.

They are scared. Every one of them."

Explore the full feature at NYTimes.com >>

United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, in conjunction with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, today announced the addition of snowboarder Jake Vedder to the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team. 

He replaces the quota spot previously held by Alex Deibold, who was injured on Jan. 29 in a crash during the FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup qualifiers at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. 

Vedder, 21, hails from Pinckney, Michigan, and was a member of  the International Snowboard Training Center. Vedder earned his first World Cup podium with a second-place finish at the 2018 Cervinia FIS World Cup, he currently ranks 34th in FIS points standings with 40-plus World Cup starts. Vedder has been a member of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team since 2018. 

Updated rosters can be found here, or at TeamUSA.org.

Watch Team USA compete on the networks of NBC throughout the Olympics, February 4-20, 2022. 

FOLLOW THE TEAM 

Instagram @ussnowboardteam
Facebook @usskiandsnowboard
TikTok @usskiandsnowboard
Twitter @usskiteam

U.S. Snowboard Team rider and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist Alex Deibold was injured during qualifying at the final FIS World Cup snowboardcross event at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, this past weekend. Deibold sustained a head injury that will require him to withdraw from the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics to allow for a full recovery. 

Alex and his family are grateful for the care he is receiving and the support from their communities. Deibold shares, “While I’m grateful to know I’ll have a full recovery in the long run, I am obviously heartbroken to miss the Games.” He adds, “I feel pretty lucky to have all this medical staff helping me recover so quickly.”

“Alex is a huge asset to the team and always a big event medal contender, so it’s incredibly disappointing he won’t be able to compete,” says Snowboardcross Head Coach Peter Foley.

Deibold was coming off a phenomenal season, with twelve World Cup starts, ranking among the top 20 in FIS Points standings. Deibold was slated to travel with the U.S. Snowboardcross Team to Beijing 2022 to compete in his second Winter Olympics. In his debut appearance at Sochi 2014, Deibold had an incredible performance earning a bronze medal. 

A member of the U.S. Snowboard Team since 2004, Deibold has been part of five World Championship U.S. snowboard teams, including 2007, 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2021. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, his coaches, and his teammates wish Deibold a full recovery.

Vuarnet, the iconic French eyewear brand, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic national governing body of skiing and snowboarding in the United States, announced today a new agreement to become an Official Eyewear Supplier of the U.S. Ski Team. 

Vuarnet’s alpine heritage and Olympic legacy run deep. Founded in 1957, Vuarnet’s Legend was born when French ski racer Jean Vuarnet won the Olympic downhill at the 1960 Squaw Valley Games wearing the original 02 model with SkilynxTM lenses, a disruptive new technology. Vuarnet has been crafting exceptional eyewear ever since then in its factory near Paris, France, which has received the prestigious Living Heritage Company (EPV) label. Vuarnet was also a sponsor of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. 

Offering the highest level of protection, Vuarnet mineral glass lenses provide absolute clarity in the intense alpine environment. Passionate about quality and innovation, Vuarnet is proud to protect athletes’ sight when it matters most. New for the brand since reentering the U.S. market in 2016 is the introduction of goggles and an entire sports collection, featuring bio-nylon lenses designed to meet the needs of the world’s best athletes and athletes at heart. 

Vuarnet’s shared love of sport at all levels aligns with U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s mission in developing the future of competitive skiing and snowboarding. 

“We are proud to enter into this new partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard and reintroduce ourselves to the competitive U.S. snowsports world,” said Vuarnet CEO David Belhassen. “The mountains are in our roots and DNA, and we look forward to supporting athletes as they pursue greatness on and off the slopes. Our founder, Jean, was all about innovation in style. We are happy to align in our shared values of hard work, perseverance and sheer love of snowsports and the mountains.”

“Vuarnet and skiing are synonymous. The brand enjoys a great history on the slopes, and we are thrilled to partner with them to introduce their world-class eyewear to a whole new generation of athletes and snowsports enthusiasts,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief Revenue Officer Michael O’Conor. “Vuarnet’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation mirrors our athletes’ pursuit of excellence. We could not be more thrilled to welcome them to the U.S. Ski Team family.”

Vuarnet is proud to bring on athletes across disciplines as part of its roster and looks forward to building the relationship with U.S. Ski & Snowboard year over year.

###

About Vuarnet 
Vuarnet is the iconic French eyewear mountaineering brand founded in France by Jean Vuarnet in 1957.

Jean Vuarnet, a talented French skier, won the Olympic downhill gold medal at the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics. A great lover of mountains and nature, he notably created the Avoriaz ski resort in 1966, the first French resort without cars, with an avant-garde vision of eco-responsibility. 

Today, Vuarnet produces its mineral glass lenses in its own French factory, using traditional manufacturing methods unchanged since its inception. Vuarnet mineral glasses, 100% natural and recyclable, provide the best protection against sunlight reflection thanks to LynxTM technology. Since 1957, the brand has offered timeless classic iconic frames that are still bestsellers. Vuarnet embraces its roots in 1960s skiing, nostalgia for craftsmanship, and the art of living in the French mountains.

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 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

Media Contacts
Vuarnet
Shannon Welch
Chapter 2 Agency
shannon@chapter2agency.com

U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Courtney Harkins
Elevate Communications
charkins@elevatecom.com

Five Olympics. 13 X Games gold medals. Shaun White has led a legendary career in the snowboard halfpipe. He knows it, and his peers know it. But at 35, White is not yet ready to give up on the sport that has defined his life thus far. Not until he enters an Olympic pipe, one last time.

Washington Post writer Les Carpenter chronicles the inner turmoil that has led White to decide to retire after the Games in Beijing. The nagging pain in his knee and ankle, the need to take days off from practice, athletes 13 years his junior pushing him to his limit in competition, and the imminent progression of a sport that he helped define for so many years. 

For White to reach this decision, it had to be entirely his own. 

“I’m not, like, going to just hand it over,” he says. “I’m not going to walk away. I’m going to give it everything I have at this Olympics. It’s my title to defend.

“But knowing what was lying on the other side of this Olympics kind of gave me a second wind,” he continues. “And we’re like: ‘Okay, well, if this is the choice and this is the decision, I can let this crumble me and I’ll crawl away and give up or like, ‘Hey, this is your last go: Let’s be safe, let’s do this thing, but let’s push it to the point of breaking.’ ”

Read the full article at WashingtonPost.com.