PAUL BACON AWARD (Service to events)
John Munger/Loppet Foundation
Minneapolis, Minn.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has honored visionary cross country skiing leader John Munger and The Loppet Foundation in Minneapolis with its Paul Bacon Award. The award is given to an individual or group for the greatest contribution in competition organization in the previous year. 

Munger and The Loppet Foundation had a vision. With the Olympic success of local star Jessie Diggins, his organization wanted to help the greater cross country community in bringing World Cup cross country ski racing back to America after nearly 20 years. The Loppet Foundation is a remarkable organization, not just for its race training programs but for its ability to bring together the youth of the city with outdoor recreation. 

Munger, his staff, and hundreds of volunteers worked for nearly two years leading up to the March 17 event, only to cancel just five days out as a part of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite that, the cross country community saw immense benefit from the effort, as Munger and his team dramatically lifted the profile of cross country skiing.

“What we realize in times like this is that hope and anticipation are much more important than we ordinarily give them credit for,” said Munger. “Looking back, what we did was provide hope and anticipation for people all across the country (and the world) every day for the past two years. Every day, kids and athletes and skiers and fans would wake up and think to themselves how excited they were for the World Cup day to come. The fact that the day never actually came does not take away from that very real sense of hope and anticipation that the world had. We are really proud of that. The event itself would have been icing on the cake - but the cake itself was really about hope.” 

“I’m proud of our team. This was our first time doing an event like this. They performed like Jessie did in PyeongChang. At Loppet, we are not about results, we are about process and enjoying the journey. This was a long, hard journey that ended prematurely. I fell down a lot. But I hope to be even stronger going forward. I know this is true of our Loppet community.”

Despite the trauma of losing the event, The Loppet Foundation set its sights ahead on when it can try again to bring World Cup cross country ski racing back to America.

JOHN CLAIR AWARD (Service to team)
Mike Mallon
USASA

Over the past two decades, United States of American Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) Executive Director Mike Mallon has served tirelessly in a wide range of roles that have had a direct impact on the success of freeski and snowboard athletes. Mallon was honored by U.S. Ski & Snowboard with its John Clair Award Award for service to the national team.

In his role with USASA, Mallon has overseen the grassroots development pipeline for those sports coordinating over 500 USASA events annually. His leadership has put great value on education for coaches, judges, and officials. In addition to his USASA role, he has served as a coach, program director, chair of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Sport Committee, a FIS technical delegate, and currently sits on both the Snowboard and Freeski Committees. His hallmark over the past 20 years has been that he’s always looking to fill a need or lend a hand. He has been a consistent, positive presence in the sport.

Mallon honed his craft for 15 years as a FIS snowboard technical delegate. In 20 years as a coach, he had over 15 athletes make it to the U.S. national team. He also coached 10 Junior World Championship teams. In his role with USASA, he now works with over 600 coaches and 5,000 athletes.

“I am constantly amazed by the progression of winter sport, the happiness it instills in others, and the ability to sort out some of life's biggest problems in a seven-minute chairlift ride,” said Mallon. “These are the joys of being a coach. Nothing is more fulfilling than watching an athlete succeed at a task, or reach a lifetime goal. I am honored to be considered in this class of greats, many who have mentored me along the way, and I will continue to try to bring up the next batch of athletes for years to come.” 

RUSSELL WILDER AWARD (Contribution to youth)
Cindy Berlack
Franconia N.H.
Burke Mountain Academy/Franconia Ski Club

Cindy Berlack, whose son Ronnie was one of two U.S. Ski Team athletes killed in an avalanche five years ago, was honored by U.S. Ski & Snowboard with the Russell Wilder Award for service to youth for her work in avalanche education. The BRASS 101 programs she has spearheaded have reached thousands with the message on avalanche safety.

Berlack is passionate about helping youth. Her efforts to bring avalanche safety education to clubs around New England is making a difference. In the memory of Ronnie and his friend Bryce Astle, the BRASS Foundation was formed to help educate athletes and coaches about the danger of avalanches. 

A certified level 200 alpine coach, Berlack has been the pied piper of the BRASS 101 program. Through her initiatives across New England, the free program has been delivered to over 2,000 youth and young adults at clubs, academies, and other public presentations. She helped architect the program and its content, find presenters and schedule workshops. 

The program was designed to highlight the basics of avalanche education, with a turnkey curriculum that can be delivered by local presenters. It’s most impactful component is the 13-minute film, Off-Piste, which features a poignant re-creation of the accident.

Together, the Berlack and Astle families have grown BRASS to be a highly respected advocacy organization with its work impacting the entire ski and snowboard industry nationwide. Berlack has appeared at avalanche workshops around the world and at national conferences around the country, redirecting her life from mother, teacher, and coach to be a tireless proponent of snow safety on behalf of the organization that was so much a part of Ronnie's life.

"What’s been most gratifying to me is that, across the board, coaches and administrators have been extremely appreciative and the young people have been so enthusiastic,” said Berlack. “Ronnie knew nothing about avalanches. I’m so thankful for the opportunity through BRASS to draw in an audience. People feel we can be trusted. And I accept this award on behalf of BRASS."
 

BUD & MARY LITTLE AWARD (Service to FIS or USOPC)
Herwig Demschar
Park City, Utah

Herwig Demschar, one of the most highly respected coaches and leaders over the last quarter-century in America, was honored by U.S. Ski & Snowboard with the Bud & Mary Little Award. Named in honor of the longtime FIS Vice President Bud Little, the award honors lifetime service to the International Ski Federation or U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee on behalf of U.S. interests.

An Austrian native, Demschar came to the USA in 1994 as a women’s alpine coach for the U.S. Ski Team. He has had a profound impact on sport through his work on a national and international basis, including his influence on behalf of U.S. Ski & Snowboard in the International Ski Federation community. In recent years, he was the pivotal figure at Killington for the development of what is now regarded as one of the most notable events on the FIS Ski World Cup tour.

During his tenure as a World Cup coach and program director for both Austria and the U.S. Ski Team from 1985 to 1998, he became one of the most highly-respected leaders in alpine sport within FIS. His influence continued in his roles with the 2002 Salt Lake City, 2006 Torino and 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. He went on to represent the USA as a member of the FIS Alpine Committee, sitting on its Alpine Executive board. Since 2007 he has worked with POWDR, serving in an executive role with the resort and adventure company. 

His vision for the Killington World Cup was threefold. First, by bringing the world’s best ski racers to New England, it would generate tremendous enthusiasm amongst the many clubs and academies nearby. Secondly, it would be a way of promoting POWDR’s resort, Killington. Finally, it would serve as a catalyst for the sales of ski equipment in the early season. With the largest crowds on the women’s tour, over 30,000 each year, the event was a huge success.

As a coach, program leader, businessman, and FIS leader, Demschar has brought great influence for U.S. Ski & Snowboard within the FIS community worldwide.

“Why do I do this?” said Demschar. “It’s simple - it’s for the athletes. There’s really nothing more. Whatever I focused on was for the kids. It was fun to see them succeed. That’s what motivated me." 

WEST FAMILY AWARD
Paul Jastrow
Eau Claire, Wisc.
Flying Eagles Ski Club

Longtime ski jumping official Paul Jastrow (Eau Claire, Wis./Flying Eagles Ski Club) has been honored by U.S. Ski & Snowboard with its West Family Cup, given annually to recognize a dedicated certified official for his or her contributions over their career - from the grassroots membership and lowliest gatekeeper on up. 

Jastrow is engaged in ski jumping at every level and the main driver behind the Flying Eagle Ski Club’s huge annual Silver Mine tournament in Eau Claire every January. His influence extends across the division as president of Central Ski Jumping where he manages a wide range of meetings, camps, and workshops to benefit Central Division clubs. =

An IT professional by trade, he’s also created a scoring program used by many clubs. He and wife Tami can be found at most junior and senior ski jumping and nordic combined competitions in the Midwest, running the scoring and getting results out to stakeholders. He and Tami also host and manage the Central Ski Jumping website ensuring results, news, and criteria are accessible to all jumpers, coaches, and families. 

On a national scale, Jastrow also chairs the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Ski Jumping Officials Committee as well as the Hills Committee, which inventories ski jumps across the nation and will soon begin to certify jumps. He was cited by U.S. Ski & Snowboard for the breadth of his engagement on the local, divisional and national level.

“Thinking back to when my officiating career started, I remember only wanting to become an official just to keep busy at ski jumping tournaments while my son was traveling and competing,” said Jastrow. “Never once did I ever think I would receive an award like this! I also never dreamed that I would experience some of the things that I was able to accomplish. From judging my first tournament in Chicago to being chief of competition for two FIS Cups in Eau Claire. 

“It's hard to put in words what it means to be an official. I do it because I enjoy the sport. I do it because I enjoy the family atmosphere that is part of the ski jumping/nordic combined community and most of all, the biggest thrill for me, is to watch these young kids grow up both in age and experience as an athlete, to reach their personal goals, whether that is competing at their own tournament, obtaining a personal record on their favorite hill or reaching the pinnacle of the sport and competing in the Olympics. To see a U6 athlete jump in their first tournament and see the huge smile on their face is priceless.” 

The award was implemented in 1996 by The donor of Fraser and Teddy West family.
 

WESTHAVEN AWARD (FIS TD)
Bill Hicks
Sandy, Utah

Technical delegates play one of the most important roles in ski and snowboard competition, overseeing events to ensure they are conducted safely and by the rules. U.S. Ski & Snowboard has recognized Bill Hicks with its Westhaven Award, recognizing service as an International Ski Federation (FIS) technical delegate over his career. The award was originated by longtime TD Fraser West in 1991.

Over three decades, Hicks has volunteered his time, energy, and expertise in support of alpine competition. He is one of just 50 certified FIS alpine technical delegates in America. Beyond his role as a TD, Hicks has served in virtually every competition official’s role and has always been willing to help in any way he can. He also plays a vital role as the liaison between U.S. Ski & Snowboard, FIS, and Intermountain Division coordinating with event organizers. Hick was recognized for his longtime commitment to alpine ski racing - not because he had a child in the sport, but because of his true passion.

Hicks was a racer for Dartmouth College who moved to Utah after graduation to ski. He became a ski racing official to help the Snowbird Ski Team. He takes great pride in being nominated as a technical delegate in 1986 by Fraser West, for whom the award is named. At the time, he was the youngest TD in America.

“I have met so many wonderful people in my tenure of being a TD,” said Hicks. “This ‘hobby’ has defined me as a person. I have been so fortunate to be able to be a part of the FIS family. It is a true honor to receive the Westhaven Award.”

Among his favorite events in his long career have been Whistler Cup youth races and Para racing. Hicks has been slated as TD for the 2002 Paralympics in Beijing.

J. LELAND ‘DOC’ AWARD (Service to physician’s pool)
Dr. Jonathan Finnoff
Edina, Minn.

Dr. Jonathan Finnoff, a highly respected team physician who has worked with the nordic combined team since 2002, was recognized by U.S. Ski & Snowboard with its J. Leland Sosman Award. The award recognizes contributions as a volunteer member of the team’s physician’s pool.  

As the head team physician for nordic combined, Finnoff has served at countless Olympics, World Cups, and two Olympic Winter Games including the stunning four-medal performance of the team at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Finnoff has served as an invaluable member and leader of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Medical Committee, helping drive its Medical Policy and Procedure, as well as assisting with redesign of our medications bags and trauma kits. He was also known for his leadership in athlete medical education. Dr. Finnoff was known for his engagement with athletes across all teams. He was also a leader in advocating for world-leading strategies for non-surgical management of injuries.

He recently left his practice at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to become chief medical officer for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Prior to his departure from his role with U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s volunteer physician’s pool, he took a proactive role in recruiting new candidates. He also supported USA Nordic in obtaining a sponsorship with the Mayo Clinic.
 

COACH OF THE YEAR

Snowboard International Coach of the Year
Nichole Mason
U.S. Snowboard Team

U.S. Snowboard Slopestyle Rookie Team Slopestyle Coach Nichole Mason (Dilon, Colo./U.S. Snowboard Rookie Team) was named Coach of the Year by U.S. Ski & Snowboard for her work in continually leading top development athletes to achieve their personal bests. She also won honors in her sport as Snowboard International Coach of the Year. 

“Thank you to all of my athletes! My time spent with you means the world to me. And to my fellow coaches, thank you for the shared passion and commitment. I am proud of all that we accomplish as a team, together we are creating an amazing community.”
- Nichole Mason

Mason’s athletes thrive in all levels of competition. Her biggest success was when Rookie Team athlete Dusty Henricksen, 19, made history at the U.S. Open last March by landing the first-ever backside quad cork 1800 in slopestyle competition, finishing in second place. In addition to Hendricksen’s success, multiple development team athletes hit the podium in Rev Tour and Grand Prix events including Courtney Rummel and Ty Schnorrusch.

Mason has served as an inspiration to all of her athletes, especially as a role model to young female riders. She sees room for growth in women’s snowboarding and has made it a goal to be a role model herself and to mentor young women. In addition to her accomplishments with her athletes, Mason has also dedicated a significant amount of time to the development of coaches education materials, leading clinics, and pioneering women’s specific coaches education clinics and athletic camps. 

Mason was recognized as Development Coach of the Year in 2017. She is the second female coach to win the overall Coach of the Year since its inception in 1998. Freestyle Coach Liz McIntyre won in 2004.

“This award came as a total surprise and is an absolute honor to be recognized as Coach of the Year. My position with the U.S. Team has been a blessing and it’s amazing to be sharing this passion with everyone along the way. Although it can be tough to watch my athletes move on, I am nothing but proud knowing I helped prepare them to become the best versions of themselves in their athletic careers and as young adults. 

DEVELOPMENT COACH OF YEAR 

Ski Jumping./Nordic Combined Coach of the Year
Mike Holland
Ford Sayre Ski Club

A World Cup winner and one of the past stars of his sport, volunteer coach Mike Holland (Norwich, Vt./Ford Sayre Ski Club) is making a difference for the next generation of ski jumpers. Under his leadership this past season, Ford Sayre qualified five young athletes to the Junior National Championships - the most ever for the venerable jumping club in Brattleboro, Vt. which has a long history of sending athletes to the Olympic and national team. 

Mike Holland and his brothers grew up in the Olympic-rich town of Norwich, Vt. Brothers Mike and Jim were ski jumpers, while Joe skied nordic combined - three Olympians in one family. Mike became a ski jumping legend, winning the Bischofshofen, Austria Springertournee event in 1989 - still today the only American World Cup win.

Holland is a tireless volunteer, working to improve snowmaking, upgrading jumping facilities and recruiting kids from local schools. After retiring as an athlete in 1990, he went into business with his family. He was thrust into coaching temporarily around a decade ago, and it stuck. Now, you can often find him out early packing the hill for jumpers all the while negotiating on the phone for a used winch cat or snowmaking equipment to help make the jumper better.

Today he coaches with brother Joe, working with around 50 kids each year at Ford Sayre in Hanover, N.H., as well as with the Lebanon Outing Club jumps in neighboring Vermont. Using his engineering skills, he also developed a portable roller ski jump which is being used as a recruitment tool by clubs around the country.

“Ski jumping, as a sport, teaches key life lessons. I realized it for myself as an athlete, but more so now as a coach. When you confront your fears, you see a transformation in kids’ personalities. You know it’s going to help them in everything they’re going to do the rest of their lives.”
- Mike Holland

SPORT COACHES OF THE YEAR

ALPINE
Alpine International Coach of the Year
Forest Carey
Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team

A former national team athlete and a 10-year veteran coach of the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team, Forest Carey (Park City, Utah/U.S. Ski Team) was named Alpine International Coach of the Year by U.S. Ski & Snowboard for his leadership with the men’s giant slalom team. It was his third time being honored with the award, having won in 2011 and 2015.

It was inspiring to watch Carey’s athlete Tommy Ford come of age with his first career World Cup victory, winning on home snow in Beaver Creek last December. Ford took a second podium in Japan two months later, finishing fifth in the season World Cup giant slalom standings before the season was cut short with two races remaining. 

Carey has a deep sense of caring about his athletes and it shows every day on the hill. He is so passionate and has so much belief in his athletes that he instills confidence. Carey is a student of the sport and always analyzes the details after every training session and competition - split times, course sets, equipment performance, snow quality. He has a sixth sense for his athletes’ needs and an unwavering standard for slope preparation. Carey has shown himself to be a gifted coach and it’s no coincidence that he has coached three of the seven U.S. athletes who have earned a World Cup giant slalom win.

“It is sort of an odd feeling because we are a part of these athletes’ lives when they are at the elite level. But their families and their entire local ski communities are really the people who cultivated these athletes’ passion, commitment, and skill, and, therefore deserve the recognition. I share this award with the selfless, caring, competent staff of coaches, servicemen, and physios whom I work with every day. We as a staff are fortunate to work dedicated athletes who are also great people. I hope we represent the American ski community well at the World Cup level. I’m honored to win this award.”
- Forest Carey, Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team, Men’s World Cup Technical Head Coach

Alpine Domestic Coach of the Year
Ben Brown
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

Ben Brown (Steamboat Springs, Colo./Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club), who serves as the U16 Head Coach for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC), was named Alpine Domestic Coach of the Year. A former Western State College racer who has been coaching for over 15 years, is known as a humble coach with a strong work ethic. 

Brown’s success with athletes has been achieved by extending his own qualities to his athletes, with strong expectations of them, gaining their respect and achieving results. His work, and that of his coaches, have resulted in SSWSC having a high percentage of athletes transition from U16 to FIS racing.

Steamboat qualified six athletes this season for U16 Nationals. Tatum Grosdidier was the overall winner at the Rocky/Central U16 Junior Championships and qualified for the U16 National Project in Alpe Cimbra where she finished sixth in GS. Brown attended Alpe Cimbra to support Grosdidier but also help all the U.S. athletes and learn from other international coaches. Nick Demarco won the Rocky/Central U16 super-G while Katya Thurston, Caroline Gilchrist, Colin Kagan, and Charlie Welch all had podium or top five results. The results are typical of what Brown has accomplished in building a rich history in the Steamboat U16 program under his leadership.

A year ago, Brown was nominated by his peers to serve as the Rocky Mountain Division Alpine Competition Committee chair. He has brought his work ethic and positive attitude into the important divisional role. He also frequently serves on regional and national projects.

"It is quite an honor to receive this award as there are many great ski coaches in this country, many of whom I look up to as mentors. I am grateful to have had opportunities to coach at U16 International Competitions each of the past three seasons. Witnessing the best U16’s in the world train and compete has helped me to develop a sense of ownership in the mission of US Ski & Snowboard to win at every level. 

“It is my goal to help all my athletes become great ski racers as well as to guide them into becoming model citizens who care about their teammates and the world around them. As a team we strive to build each other up during the tough days and we share in the celebrations of achievement with one another.” 
- Ben Brown, U16 Coach, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

CROSS COUNTRY
Cross Country International Coach of the Year
Jan Buron
Alaska Winter Stars

Alaskan coach Jan Buron (Anchorage/Alaska Winter Stars) was recognized by U.S. Ski & Snowboard as Cross Country International Coach of the Year for his work in leading Gus Schumacher to two Junior World Championship gold medals.

For more than 20 years, Buron’s Alaska Winter Stars program has been a strong force in Alaska, creating new generations of cross country skiers. Under his leadership, 19-year-old Schumacher has brought American cross country skiing to a new level. This past season Schumacher anchored the U.S. Junior Worlds relay team to its second-straight World Championship gold medal, as well as becoming the first American to win Junior Worlds gold in an individual event (10k classic). Schumacher also took a U.S. title, won a pair of SuperTour events and qualified for the Davis U.S. Cross Country B Team.

“There are no words for how it feels to see my athletes achieve their dreams. I am personally happy to be a part of US skiing history, first with the historic relay gold and then Gus' individual medal. I am immensely proud of all the relay team members in 2019 and 2020 and all US skiers. Right now US skiing is so strong.”
- Jan Buron, Founder, Alaska Winter Stars

Cross Country Domestic Coach of the Year
Patrick O’Brien
Stratton Mountain School

Patrick O’Brien (South Londonderry, Vt., Stratton Mountain School) was named Cross Country Domestic Coach of the Year. O’Brien, in his sixth year coaching the elite SMS T2 team. 

In a program where recruitment of elite athletes is paramount, O’Brien has had success sustaining a world-class training group for all elite participants. His team presently includes a Junior World Champion, four World Cup podium athletes, and an Olympic gold medalist in Jessie Diggins.

This past season, athlete Ben Ogden split his time between the University of Vermont and SMS T2. Ogden skied the second leg of the Junior World Championship relay team that took gold. Sophie Caldwell hit the World Cup podium in Davos and was fourth in three other events. Julia Kern hit the podium in both the U23 World Championships and the Planica World Cup - finishing third in a freestyle sprint for her first career World Cup podium. 

With his experience, O’Brien is often called upon to coach international teams. He always extends his skills to help athletes from all clubs.

"I have so many people to thank for helping me along this journey, especially Sverre Caldwell for being instrumental in sharing his knowledge and passion for coaching with me these last years. I also recognize our team and the amazing athletes I work with day in and day out. Their drive and passion for the sport has been so incredibly rewarding for me and like any coach knows, seeing them achieve their goals brings a big smile to my face! I am very honored to receive this award and recognition as Cross Country Domestic Coach of the Year.”
- Patrick O’Brien, SMS T2 Team Coach, Stratton Mountain School

FREESKI
Freeski International Coach of the Year
Ryan Wyble
U.S. Freeski Team

U.S. Freeski Rookie Team Head Coach Ryan Wyble (Park City, Utah/U.S. Freeski Rookie Team) was named as Freeski International Coach of the Year for his work with the Rookie Team. It was an evolutionary step for Wyble, who a year ago was named overall Development Coach of the Year.

Wyble has put his decade of coaching experience at some of the top development clubs in the country, such as Park City Ski & Snowboard, to provide Rookie Team athletes a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and encouragement, ultimately leading them into major success this past season. 

The Rookie Team performed well in competitions at every level this season. Deven Fagan and Cody LaPlante both earned their first world Cup podiums at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix and at the World Cup in Font Romeu, France. Despite competing against prior Olympians and World Champions, these rookie athletes were able to hold their own. Wyble’s athletes also performed well at the Youth Olympic Games, with Hunter Henderson taking third in slopestyle. The team also dominated the NorAm Cup, with Henderson and Rell Harwood taking the slopestyle and big air titles. 

The success of the Rookie Team athletes wouldn’t be possible without the care and dedication Wyble brings to coaching. He gives each individual athlete equal respect and attention, heightening their morale and is overall a key asset to U.S. Ski & Snowboard. 

“To be recognized for my work as a coach amongst a long list of my colleagues is an honor. It feels incredible to receive an award for two consecutive years. Lastly, I want to emphasize how much work and effort all the athletes put in and want to congratulate them all on what they achieved this past season.“
- Ryan Wyble, Head Coach, U.S. Freeski Rookie Team

Freeski Domestic Coach of the Year
Dan Shuffleton
WVBBTS

One of the most highly-qualified technical coaches in his sport, Dan Shuffleton (Waterville Valley, N.H., WVBBTS) was named Freeski Domestic Coach of the Year. He was similarly honored by U.S. Ski & Snowboard in 2014.

Shuffleton serves as freeski program director and head coach for New Hampshire’s WVBBTS (Waterville Valley Black and Blue Trail Smashers). He is a certified level 300 freeski coach, level 400 aerials coach, and has helped contribute to the education materials for the level 100 freeski coach certification. Shuffleton has a breadth of knowledge on the most effective coaching techniques, as well as the freeski discipline as a whole.

With athletes competing at every level including World Cup, NorAms, Futures Tour, and USASA events, Shuffleton has led WVBBTS towards major success. His athletes are now national team members for the U.S., Hong Kong, and Great Britain, further proving his credibility and dedication to long-term success.

As far as facilities are concerned, Shuffleton pioneered an airbag set-up at Waterville to facilitate year-round training. Athletes travel from all around the nation to airbag with Shuffleton and the WVBBTS team. He also has taken up cat driving and attended Cutters Camp to help better the terrain at their home park.    

In addition to his passion for improving WVBBTS and their athletes, Shuffleton has a strong drive to improve the freeski discipline. He is a source of knowledge and mentoring for other coaches. Shuffleton has become a staple in the east with his lifelong love for the sport and his dedication to improving the community. 

“We as coaches have many roles to play and can be many positive things to an athlete. We can be friends, motivators, fan club presidents, guardians, influencers, agents, sounding boards, chauffeurs, counselors, consciences, advocates, and advisers. It can be hard work as a coach in a sport like ours but you know what they say, ‘If you love what you do. you'll never work a day in your life.’

“The award is the mark of a great season for the receiving coach, the clubs or programs that we represent and all the athletes and families that we positively affect as coaches and mentors both on and off the hill." 
- Dan Shuffleton, Freeski Program Director, WVBBTS

FREESTYLE
Freestyle International Coach of the Year
Vladimir Lebedev
U.S. Freestyle Team  

Since joining the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team last summer as head aerials coach, Vladimir ‘Vlad’ Lebedev (Russia/U.S. Freestyle Ski Team) has quickly proved his worth, expertise, and professionalism. He was named Freestyle International Coach of the Year. With his extensive knowledge on aerials and air dynamics, as well as his experience as both an athlete and international coach for multiple countries, he is well respected in the world’s freestyle skiing community. 

Lebedev’s athletes had an incredible season with multiple podiums at U.S. Championships and World Cups, as well as personal bests for several athletes. Vlad emphasized dedication and proper preparation in the summer ramping season to make sure the aerial skiers put it down when it counted in competition. With Ashley Caldwell taking third at the World Cup in Krasnoyarsk, Chris Lillis and Megan Nick earning first and second at the World Cup in Kazakhstan, and Justin Schoenefeld taking his first career podium with a win at the World Cup in Minsk, Belarus, the team proved to be one of the best in the world. 

Four of Lebedev’s athletes are currently ranked in the top 10 in the world due to their victorious season. With a personal background in the sport, a dedication to each athlete on the team, and a desire to see the U.S. improve in aerials, Lebedev has been beneficial to U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes. 

“My motivation as a coach is to develop my athletes into their true potential. I always strive to provide my very best self to them so that they in turn become the best at what they do. This past season was a good step in our three-year plan as we head into Beijing 2022. I worked hard to integrate our new staff into our team culture and we were able to learn from each other and grow together. There’s still a lot of work to do, but everyone is excited to get back to it!”
- Vladimir Lebedev, Head Aerials Coach, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team

Freestyle Domestic Coach of the Year
Bryon Wilson
Wasatch Freestyle

Olympic medalist Bryon Wilson (Park City, Utah, Wasatch Freestyle), now head coach for Wasatch Freestyle, was named Freestyle Domestic Coach of the Year. 

Although Wilson is only in his second year of coaching, he has brought extensive experience and continued involvement in the freestyle world. As a U.S. Ski Team alumni who has podiumed in the Olympics, U.S. Championships, World Cups and NorAms, Wilson provides both inspiration to athletes as well as his personal experience on what it means to be a professional athlete. 

His athletes had a strong season including the women’s NorAm overall title and second place - with both athletes likely to advance to the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. Three of his athletes qualified for Junior Worlds with one athlete taking a U.S. Junior Nationals title.

This success is not only from the technical knowledge Wilson is able to provide, but from the personal motivation, support, and encouragement he shows all young athletes. Wilson is also fully engaged across the freestyle community as a board member of ID One Foundation, the owner and operator of the ID One USA pro mogul camp in Whistler, and a contributing member of multiple U.S. Ski & Snowboard committees. 

The freestyle community respects Wilson’s dedication to progressing moguls skiing in America. He is an inspiration to coaches, athletes and officials of the Freestyle community and is expected to continue building strong athletes at Wasatch Freestyle.  

 

JUMPING/NORDIC COMBINED
Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined International Coach of the Year
Tomas Matura
USA Nordic

USA Nordic Continental Cup coach Tomas Matura (Czech Republic/USA Nordic) has been named Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined International Coach of the Year for his work with the men’s and women’s teams, especially two-time Continental Cup winner Tara Geraghty-Moats.

Matura was a veteran competitor for the Czech Republic with strong results on the Continental Cup tour. He began working with USA Nordic as a wax technician where athletes regularly raved about fast skis. With a passion for coaching, his responsibilities were elevated on the Continental Cup tour, coaching both men and women. He quickly found success with the team, especially its rising women’s star Geraghty-Moats, who established herself as the best in the world. Matura has guided her to back-to-back Continental Cup titles. In addition, his men’s team scored six top-10 Continental Cup finishes, as well as five top-30 Junior Worlds finishes between men and women. 

This spring, Matura was named head coach of the women’s nordic combined team. The USA Nordic Women’s Nordic Combined squad can look forward to the debut next season of both a season-long World Cup tour plus the initial World Championships for women. 

"Tara is a great team leader and such a hard-working athlete. It’s been a pleasure to work with her. So now it is time that the rest of the team will start chasing her. I'm looking forward to the first World Cup season and World Championship event for women's nordic combined next season. I'm happy that I can be part of this growing and successful team from the beginning of women's nordic combined.” 
- Tomas Matura, Continental Cup Coach, USA Nordic

SNOWBOARD
Snowboard Domestic Coach of the Year
Nick Poplawski
Park City Ski & Snowboard

A popular and effective coach, Nick “Pops” Poplawski (Park City, UT, Park City Ski & Snowboard) was named Snowboard Domestic Coach of the Year. 

Poplawski is known in the snowboarding community as one of the sport’s most knowledgeable and welcoming coaches. He is acknowledged as a technically savvy coach who keeps the atmosphere of his team light and fun. He’s also a sports historian who puts emphasis on passing down the sport’s culture to up-and-coming athletes. 

Poplawski has consistently helped talented athletes come out of his program each season. In addition to his dedication to athletes on his Park City program, Poplawski gives back to the sport in many ways, including as a national Gold Camp Coach and at the Club Excellence Conference. improving the sport as a whole. Poplawski is an example of what coaches should be to achieve the ultimate goal of all athletes being lifelong participants of the sport.

“This award means a lot to me as I have always taken a ‘rider's first’ approach. I really try to focus on rider success, whether that be in contests, filming or personal development. Beyond that being a steward of the sport is huge for me. I'm always striving to do everything I can to help riders fall in love with snowboarding the same way my coaches did for me as a young rider.”
- Nick Poplawski, Snowboard Coach, Park City Ski & Snowboard

CLUB OF THE YEAR
Stratton Mountain School

Always one of the top multi-sport programs in America, Stratton Mountain School earned top honors as the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Club of the Year. The Vermont academy also picked up both Freeski and Snowboard Club of the Year recognition.

"We are proud to receive recognition as U.S. Ski & Snowboard's Overall Club of the year after a season of immense hard work and achievement for all five of our winter sports programs. Following this past season's athletic accomplishments, alongside another year of impressive college placements, our community is excited to continue the tradition of excellence that has guided Stratton Mountain School since 1972."
  - Chris Kaltsas, Headmaster

Established in 1972, Stratton Mountain School has a storied tradition. It has sent 46 student-athletes to the Olympics, capturing six medals. Over the years, it has placed 118 athletes onto national teams, including 17 this past season. It was also named Club of the Year in 2009.

Club of the Year recognizes a club with a commitment to program, youth, and overall athlete development, along with the development of facilities, commitment to the region and national structure, coach certification, and professional development, plus season accomplishments.

Stratton Mountain School provides a unique environment that offers each student the opportunity to pursue excellence in competitive winter sports and college preparatory academics while developing strong personal values. The program, which features alpine, cross country, freeskiing, freestyle and snowboard programs, is a gold level U.S. Ski & Snowboard Podium Club.

This past year the club saw success in all five sport programs from current and alumni athletes. Will Koch won cross country bronze at the Youth Olympic Games, 2019 alum Zeb Powell took gold in knuckle huck at X Games Aspen and 2018 graduate Caroline Claire won a slopestyle World Cup at Seiser Alm.

This past season alpine sent five student-athletes to U.S. Junior National Championships, freeski qualified 15 to USASA Nationals, 75% of freestyle athletes qualified for Junior Nationals with 50% making it to U.S. Championships, nordic continued its string of 25 years with at least one medal at Junior Nationals and snowboard recorded 57 podiums at USASA events.

In recent years Stratton Mountain School has focused on facilities. It has developed a high-performance center focused on sport science and sports medicine including a field house, gymnasium, strength and condition, rehabilitation and outdoor fields, as well as an air awareness center and yoga studio.

DEVELOPMENT CLUB OF THE YEAR
Franconia Ski Club

New Hampshire’s Franconia Ski Club was named Development Club of the Year for its longstanding commitment to fostering a love of winter sports and raising successful athletes in its community. Recently, the significant investment in facilities and training venues has provided new opportunities for programming and partnerships and set the club up for continued success. 

Over the past decade, the Franconia Ski Club has grown to become one of the most notable development programs in New England. Its membership has grown from 40 in 1998 to 192 this past year and a waiting list for 2020-21. The club impacted development across the region, as well as nationally, with the first phase of the Mittersill at Cannon Mountain Improvement Project, with a $4 million investment in trail and lift development. The next phase, including the Mittersill Performance Center, is underway. The venue was the site of the 2017 NCAA Championships and the 2019 U.S. Junior Championship Super-G.

The club has taken the NHARA U14 state title from 2016-2020, and the U12 title from 2015-2019. The club has a host of athletes ranking in the top five YOB in the east and top 15 in the nation. Franconia’s Dylan Welch is ranked number one in the country in slalom for YOB 2004.

Introduced in 2019, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development Club of the Year Award is an award presented to a member club that has distinguished itself in providing outstanding youth development programs. Key criteria include exceptional or unique programming focused on developing athletes ages 13 and under; providing opportunities for youth to enter the sport, providing a positive, engaging experience for young snowsports athletes; commitment and encouragement of youth athletic development; implementation of best practices and innovation for long-term athlete development; use and support of U.S. Ski & Snowboard resources intended for development levels; conversion of athletes to higher levels of involvement, participation and competition; develops and encourages a lifelong passion and enthusiasm for participation in snowsports. 

The Franconia Ski Club is a silver certified U.S. Ski & Snowboard Podium Club, presently working on its gold certification.

“Our mission at the Franconia Ski Club is to impart the joys of skiing and the lifelong lessons of healthy competition. All of our programs take that mission to heart, using it as a guiding principle in the development of our athletes. We focus on providing our athletes with the highest level of alpine racing instruction available and fostering within them a love of and respect for the sport.  This approach, along with access to the world-class training and racing facilities at Mittersill at Cannon Mountain, has allowed us to develop some of the best athletes in not only the Eastern Region but also the U.S.”

- Eric Price, Program Director

SPORT CLUBS OF THE YEAR
Alpine Club of the Year - Burke Mountain Academy 

A longstanding and highly revered program, Burke Mountain Academy was named U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Club of the Year. The program excelled this year with success at every level from U12 up to FIS, and NorAm, including five athletes making National Development Group criteria, plus qualifying athletes for Alpe Cimbra (former Topolino) and OPA Cup. Burke has created a powerful guiding framework for its program that challenges the status quo in helping athletes manage training and racing loads. As a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Development site, Burke’s impact has extended even more broadly as a strong program partner in the Eastern Region with a Speed Week and other regional training opportunities. Burke also brought on board two notable past stars to help with the athletic programs including Felix McGrath and Olympic champion Diann Roffe, a 1985 Burke graduate.

A hallmark at Burke has been its high-quality races. At the core to that has been the contribution of David Iverson for the last 13 years at Burke, and 13 before that at Green Mountain Valley School - executing upward of 40 races annually. Iverson, who will be leaving his role, was acknowledged by U.S. Ski & Snowboard for his lifelong contribution to the Eastern Region.

Burke is a gold-certified U.S. Ski & Snowboard Podium Club.

“We consider our school and all of the athletic programs a community and we really do believe that the shared sense of commitment to one another elevates the experience. Our primary charge at Burke is character development, and the athletic and academic programs are vehicles for that holistic education. The sense of community that exists among all the athletes and their families is what makes that education possible because it cultivates an environment with a high degree of trust in which the athletes are willing to take appropriate risks, learn through failure and ultimately strive to achieve their goals.”

- Willy Booker, Headmaster

Cross Country Club of the Year - Alaska Winter Stars

U.S. Ski & Snowboard named Alaska Winter Stars as its Cross Country Club of the Year. Alaska has always been a strong division for cross country skiing. But since the inception of Alaska Winter Stars in 1997 by Jan Buron, the state is impacting the top levels of the sport in new ways. Buron believed that athletes who want to compete at the top level must begin their training as children and participate in a year-round program with the same group of coaches. It takes years of dedication to master the skills and develop the strength of a champion. 

This past year, Alaska Winter Stars athlete Gus Schumacher won Junior Worlds gold, as well as leading the SuperTour and becoming a national champion. Sixteen club athletes qualified with Team Alaska for Junior Nationals with eight qualifying for the Arctic Winter Games. Over time, 17 Alaska Winter Stars athletes have taken Junior Nationals titles. Nordic combined skier Carter Brubaker qualified for the Youth Olympic Games. At the state level, 23 club athletes representing five different high schools made the Alaska High School State Championships where Alaska Winter Stars grabbed its 23rd skimeister title in 22 years. The club also won the award in 2010.

“One of our club's strengths is helping athletes develop into lifelong skiers. Our younger junior program focuses on having fun and many athletes transition to being competitive on the state, national, or even international level as high schoolers and beyond.”

- Jan Buron, Club Founder

Freeski Club of the Year - Stratton Mountain School 

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard overall Club of the Year, Stratton Mountain School (SMS), was also named as Freeski Club of the Year. SMS is one of America’s premier multi-sport clubs, with its freeski program growing to become one of the most successful in the country and a catalyst for the growth of the sport in the east. Its main goal is to provide wholesome experiences to their athletes to ensure long-term success in both athletics and life. This past year the program grew by nearly 50% in participants.

Its new state of the art Air Awareness Center features a skating area, mini ramps, foam pit, trampolines, and more, giving athletes full access to top tier training. The club also provides strength and conditioning courses, yoga, agility training, and secondary sports to athletes, as well as assisting student-athletes in navigating the balance between their athletic and academic future. 

SMS is an important regional center for freeski with its summer Action Sports Camp and an annual Young Guns Project on-snow. Stratton Mountain Resort also hosts multiple USASA events in all four disciplines and is a top venue for development level competition. It’s helped the club produce top-tier development athletes who have been strong in NorAms and the FIS/USASA Futures Tour, where Max Siudak won this past season in Copper Mountain. The club qualified 15 athletes to the USASA Nationals this past season. SMS is home to U.S. Freeski Pro Team athletes Mac Forehand and Caroline Claire.

Stratton Mountain School is a gold-certified U.S. Ski & Snowboard Podium Club.

“Our objective at SMS is to keep it fun, while maintaining our focus on goals. We have an awesome coaching staff that makes it fun for athletes and keeps them fully engaged.”

- Jesse Maliis, Freeski Director

Freestyle Club of the Year - Wasatch Freestyle

Utah-based Wasatch Freestyle was named U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Club of the Year. It also won the honor in 2006. Wasatch Freestyle, which operates at both Snowbird and Deer Valley, is known as one of the premier freestyle moguls programs in America, with high-level elite coaching staff, continuous engagement in events, and a congruent goal of developing the best athletes and leaders possible.

This past season, 16 Wasatch Freestyle athletes qualified for Junior Nationals, 12 for U.S. Championships, three for Junior World Championships, nine for the NorAm tour, and two for World Cup. On the NorAm tour, Wasatch collected a dozen podiums plus a season title for Madison Hogg with sister Kasey second. The club also played host to both the Bumpin’ the Bird regional competition, as well as the Deer Valley NorAm.

But the club’s focus goes well behind results and events. It takes pride in its staff and the work it does to teach life skills and core values. In nominating Wasatch Freestyle, the freestyle community spoke about the club as a role model to others, exemplifying best practices with its dedication, work ethic and passion for freestyle skiing.

“Wasatch Freestyle has provided a very positive experience for young people and their families who have come through our programming. Along with our partners, Deer Valley Resort and Snowbird, we have not only been able to provide area youth with a great competitive ski program but also an experience where young people learn great life skills - leadership, time management, goal setting and good citizenship. I am fortunate to have worked with so many great young people and their families over the years. Wasatch Freestyle is one of the great living legacies of our Olympic movement and a tribute to the ski industry here in Utah.”

- Jon O’Brien, Director 

Nordic Combined/Ski Jumping Club of the Year - Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

For the fourth consecutive year, the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC), a gold-certified club, has been named U.S. Ski & Snowboard Nordic Combined and Ski Jumping Club of the Year. It’s the sixth time the club has won the honor.

As a multi-discipline club, SSWSC has a unique approach to youth development with different disciplines working together. It’s unity between club, community, staff, athletes, parents and volunteers, together with its major support partners of the City of Steamboat Springs and Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, gives the program a strong platform from which to work. Over the last two years, the club has soared to its highest numbers with 150 athletes participating in the jumping and combined program.

The club placed five of the eight athletes on the Youth Olympic Games Team with seven on the Junior Worlds Team. Niklas Malacinski finished fifth at Youth Olympic Games and qualified for the national team. SSWSC qualified 15 athletes for USA Nordic national teams next season.

SSWSC is a gold-certified U.S. Ski & Snowboard Podium Club.

“We believe that high-end athletics is a byproduct of strong life skills like, commitment, grit, perseverance, dedication and striving with passion. While the SSWSC has had great success producing many national and Olympic team athletes, our focus is more centered on the life skills and the achievement process. We believe success is all about setting a foundation of life skills that will serve an individual in athletics and beyond. We are just proud of our members that go on to be successful in other endeavors as we are with our Olympians.”

- Todd Wilson, Ski Jumping/Nordic Combined Director

Snowboard Club of the Year - Stratton Mountain School 

The 2020 U.S. Ski & Snowboard overall Club of the Year also picked up honors as Snowboard Club of the Year. Under the leadership of Olympic champion Ross Powers, SMS Snowboard is recognized as one of the top programs in the nation, committed to providing each student-athlete with the opportunity to pursue excellence in competitive winter sports and college preparatory academics while developing strong personal values. 

Training groups are formed at SMS based on ability, motivation, and individual goals. Athletes go through a fitness evaluation to determine groups, with coaches working one-on-one with athletes to develop goals.

The program is committed to both youth and long-term elite athlete development in the region, holding multiple camps throughout the year. The winter Young Gun Project allows athletes to experience on-snow training at Stratton Resort and winter-term tutoring at SMS. The summer Action Sports Camp hosts athletes in Stratton’s new Air Awareness Center.

With a long-standing commitment to events, SMS hosts annual USASA competitions in all six disciplines. This past season it also helped to host a 2020 Futures Tour event at Mount Snow as well as the 2020 Vermont Open at Stratton Resort. 

In the 2019-20 season, SMS snowboarders scored 18 top-10 finishes in Futures Tour events, with five athletes earning Rev Tour starts. SMS riders also took 57 USASA podium finishes. SMS rider Zeb Powell took X-Games knuckle huck gold with SMS junior Acy Craig taking part in the Youth Olympic Games.

Stratton Mountain School is a gold-certified U.S. Ski & Snowboard Podium Club.

“After 10 years of leading the SMS Snowboard Team, I’ve come full circle from my days as a student-athlete at Stratton Mountain School to now helping the next generations by providing them with the knowledge and the opportunities to progress to their highest level.”

- Ross Powers, Snowboard Director 

The Beck International Trophy is the highest athlete honor from U.S. Ski & Snowboard, recognizing the top athletes in international competition for the year. It’s also the organization’s oldest, dating back to 1931. The 68 recipients over nearly a century represent a remarkable cross section of the greatest U.S. Olympic ski and snowboard champions of all time. For only the second time in history, two athletes tied for the penultimate honor - Mikaela Shiffrin, whose World Cup tally is now at 66, and cross country junior world champion Gus Schumacher.
 

Beck International Trophy

Alpine Athlete of the Year
Mikaela Shiffrin
(Edwards, Colo./Ski & Snowboard Club Vail)

It’s an incredible honor to share the award with three-time World Junior Champion cross country skier Gus Schumacher.
   - Mikaela Shiffrin

The 2019-20 story of Mikaela Shiffrin (Edwards, Colo./Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) was told less in her six World Cup wins and 13 podiums, and more in how she fought through professional and personal challenges that tested her at every turn. Shiffrin was honored with the Beck International Trophy as overall athlete of the year, along with the comparable award in alpine. 

It was a season of highs, including a late January weekend in Bansko, Bulgaria where she won two speed events and amassed 250 World Cup points in front of her parents, to the deepest of lows with the death of her father a week later. While the entire World Cup family grieved with her, she fought back courageously to return to the tour a month later, only to have the season end prematurely a day before her return. It is the fourth time Shiffrin has won the Beck International Trophy, and the fifth time she has won Alpine Athlete of the Year.

“Wow. I am SO humbled,” said Shiffrin. “It’s an incredible honor to share the award with three-time World Junior Champion cross country skier Gus Schumacher. It’s super impressive to see a junior athlete receive this prestigious award, and I’m looking forward to following Gus’ success throughout his career with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. I’d also want to thank my team and teammates, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and the ski community as a whole for your outpouring of love and support through what has been an unimaginable time in my life. Your words and thoughts lifted me up when I needed it most.”
 

Beck International Trophy

Cross Country Athlete of the Year
Gus Schumacher
(Anchorage/Alaska Winter Stars)

Wow, I didn’t know how big it was until I realized Mikaela was the other recipient.
   - Gus Schumacher

At just 19, Alaskan Gus Schumacher (Anchorage/Alaska Winter Stars) is rewriting the cross country skiing history book in America! He becomes the first junior skier to win the Beck International Trophy since cross country skier Bill Koch won in 1975. At the Junior World Championships, Schumacher took the first individual gold by an American junior in the 10k classic. To top it off, he anchored the USA men to their second straight relay gold and third straight medal performance in the team event. A product of the Alaska Winter Stars program, Schumacher has been a catalyst on a junior team that has been winning Junior Worlds medals over a three-year span.

“Wow, I didn’t know how big it was until I realized Mikaela was the other recipient. After that call, I realized it was a super big deal. It was cool because she’s just a regular person - she was so nice and seemed genuinely interested in my skiing. I’m honored to be sharing the Beck Award with her.”
 

Sport Athletes of the Year

Freeskiing Athlete of the Year 
Maggie Voisin
(Whitefish, Mont./Whitefish Mountain Resort Freestyle Team)

Strength and determination overcame uncertainty for two-time Olympian Maggie Voisin (Whitefish, Mont./U.S. Slopestyle Pro Team), who came back from knee surgery to score five consecutive podiums. She was recognized with the Freeskiing Athlete of the Year Award.

Her hard work led to exponential progression through the X Games tour, winning slopestyle bronze in Aspen, then hitting big air silver and slopestyle gold in Norway. Her X Games medals came on the wings of landing a perfect double cork 1260 safety to close out a season that also saw her on the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix and Dew Tour podiums. Voisin’s positivity and encouragement has positioned her as a team leader.

“I can’t thank the U.S. Ski & Snowboard community enough for this award. I don’t know what my life would look like without skiing and it’s truly hard to express the kind of love and excitement it gives me every day. To keep it simple, I absolutely love what I do and am so grateful for the support and love to all the people who helped me along the way.” 
 

Freestyle Athlete of the Year
Jaelin Kauf
(Alta, Wyo./teamboat Springs Winter Sports Club) 

Veteran moguls skier Jaelin Kauf (Alta, Wyo./U.S. Freestyle Moguls Team) scored four World Cup podiums including a win to close out the season ranked third in the world. She was honored with the Freestyle Athlete of the Year Award. Kauf is consistently one of the fastest women on the moguls World Cup circuit and this season brought two new tricks to competition - a cork 7 and a back mute. Her athletic progression is a tribute to her strong work ethic and her desire to be the best at what she does - all contributing to her confidence on the course. Known as a team leader, she attributes much of her success to the strength of her teammates in always pushing each other. Kauf also won the award in 2018.

"There is so much that goes into what we do,” said Kauf. “I have an amazing support group of family, friends, sponsors and this entire organization that make it possible for me to do what I love and have fun with it! I love skiing and competing, and my passion for the sport is what continues to drive me."
 

Nordic Combined Athlete of the Year 
Tara Geraghty-Moats
(West Fairlee, Vt./New York Ski Education Foundation) 

A second straight season title came to Tara Geraghty-Moats (West Fairlee, Vt./New York Ski Education Foundation) this season, on the wings of five Continental Cup wins and two podiums. She was recognized as U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Nordic Combined Athlete of the Year. Along the way she impacted the youth of the world, serving as a sport ambassador for the International Olympic Committee at the Youth Olympic Games and was named Nordic Combined Athlete of the Year by the International Ski Federation. Women make their FIS World Cup debut next winter, as well as being a part of the World Championships next February in Oberstdorf, Germany. Geraghty-Moats has established herself as a notable international figure in the push for Olympic inclusion. It was the second straight year she has earned the athlete of the year recognition.

"To see my hard work translate into a graceful step forward for gender equality at the Youth Olympic Games, that was special and will give me motivation for years to come. I am honored to receive this award and thank my coach, Tomas Matura, my family and my supporters around the globe, especially those at U.S. Ski & Snowboard and USA Nordic.”
 

Ski Jumping Athlete of the Year
Andrew Urlaub
(Eau Claire, Wis./Flying Eagles Ski Club)

Wisconsin teen Andrew Urlaub had a breakout season at every level of international competition. Urlaub, an 18-year old out of the Flying Eagles Ski Club in Eau Claire, Wis., scored five top-30 finishes on the FIS Cup, including a fourth in Zakopane, Poland - just a point off the podium. He also notched it up a level with five top-30s on the higher level Continental Cup. And he came away with a top-20 finish at the Junior World Championships in Oberwiesenthal, Germany.

“To win this award shows me that my dreams as a kid are coming true,” said Urlaub. “I owe it to my parents, teammates, and supporters who constantly push me to be my best. Thanks to everyone who followed my season through the ups and downs, and cheered from home.”
 

Snowboard Athlete of the Year
Dusty Henricksen
(Mammoth Lakes, Calif./Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team) 

Wow, what a breakout season 17-year-old Dusty Henricksen (Mammoth Lakes, Calif./U.S. Snowboard Rookie Team) had! Henricksen made history at the U.S. Open, landing the first-ever backside quad cork 1800 in slopestyle competition. He also took Youth Olympic Games gold in slopestyle and earned his first World Cup win at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at his home of Mammoth Mountain. What stood out all season was his maturity, optimism and positivity as he solidified himself as a top contender in the world of competitive snowboarding.

“This season was huge for me and I realized how much I love snowboarding. There’s nothing that can beat the adrenaline rush when you learn a new trick or land your full run. I am incredibly thankful for everyone that contributes to this development process, which is so important to my success and the pursuit of my dreams.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced its 2020 team for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020 set for January 9 - 22 in Switzerland. Nominations include those age-eligible athletes who qualified based on published selection criteria in the 2019 winter season. 

Lausanne is known as the “Olympic Capital,” and has been the home of the modern Olympic Movement for more than 100 years. More than 50 international sporting organizations are based in this region. The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) serves to inspire the next generation to embody the Olympic values of Respect, Friendship, and Excellence. Competing in a location so steeped in Olympic history and tradition will set the tone for what is sure to be an awesome few weeks of competition. America’s next generation of ski and snowboard greats will compete for youth Olympic glory and put the world on notice. 

Since the last YOG, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) increased alpine quotas for major nations to two athletes per-gender. The U.S. finished top-eight in the Hodler Cup at the Junior World Ski Championships, qualifying alpine for a third spot per gender. 

“We have a good group of young athletes on our [alpine] team,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Development Director Chip Knight. “These are all U18 athletes, so it will be the first major international championship event of their careers. They are all really excited to participate, and to compete for medals with the best athletes their age in the world.”

Because of a fourth overall team performance in the Marc Holder Award standings in 2018, the International Federation du Ski (FIS) and the IOC awarded the United States three Youth Olympic starts per gender in the disciplines of cross country, ski jumping and nordic combined - a step up from the usual one per gender in previous years. The Marc Hodler Award is based on total Junior World Nordic Ski Championships, including a nation’s points awarded for cross country, ski jumping and nordic combined. 

Snowboard and Freeski athletes will compete in halfpipe, slopestyle/big air, and ski/snowboardcross events. Quota spots for U.S. athletes were earned based on the team’s performance at FIS Junior Worlds in 2019. Some of the standout performances at the 2019 FIS Junior Worlds events included a men’s podium sweep in Freeski halfpipe, two podium finishes in Freeski slopestyle, two podium finishes in Freeski big air, one podium finish in Snowboard halfpipe, and one podium finish in Snowboard slopestyle. 

“We have a really strong team of development athletes nominated to this team and we are looking forward to a fun and exciting event and experience in Switzerland,” said Sport Development Senior Manager for Freeski and Snowboard Ashley Diebold. 

For the full roster of athletes representing the United States, visit teamusa.org.

2020 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Youth Olympic Team
(Hometown; Club; USASA Series (if applicable); Year of Birth)

Alpine
Women
Lauren Macuga (Park City, Utah; Park City Ski & Snowboard Club; 2002)
Emma Resnick (Vail, Colo.; Ski and Snowboard Club Vail; 2003)
Nicola Rountree-Williams (Edwards, Colo.; Independent/Private; 2002) 

Men
Daniel Gillis (Guilford, Conn.; Burke Mountain Academy; 2002)
Maxx Parys (Bethel, Maine; Gould Academy; 2002)
Trent Pennington (Shalimar, Fla.; Ski and Snowboard Club Vail; 2002)

Cross Country
Women
Kendall Kramer (Fairbank, Alaska; Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks; 2002) 
Sydney Palmer-Leger (Park City, Utah; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 2002)
Nina Seemann (Bondville, Vt.; Stratton Mtn School, 2002)

Men
Will Koch (Peru, Vt.; Stratton Mtn School; 2002)
Brian Bushey (Montpelier, Vt.; Green Mtn Valley School; 2002)
Kai Mittelsteadt (Bozeman, Mont.; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 2002)

Snowboard 
Halfpipe
Men
Jack Coyne (Edwards, Colo..; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Rocky Mountain Series; 2002)
Kolman LeCroy (Mammoth Mountain, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Ski and Snowboard Team; Mammoth Unbound Series; 2002)

Women
Tessa Maud (Carlsbad, Calif.; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 2003)
Athena Comeau (Rutland, Mass.; New Hampshire Series; 2002)

Slopestyle/Big Air
Men
Jake Canter (Evergreen, Colo.; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; Aspen Snowmass Series; 2003)
Dusty Henricksen (Mammoth Lakes, Calif; Mammoth Mountain Snowboard Team; Unbound Series; 2003)

Women
Ty Schnorrbusch (Monroe Township, N.J.; Tom Anderson, Rocky Mountain Series 2002)
Courtney Rummel (West Bend, Wisc.; Adam Junio; Midwest Best Series; 2003)

Snowboardcross
Men
Connor Schlegel (Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Vail Ski & Snowboard; Rocky Mountain Series, 2002)
Theo McLemore (Pittsburg, Penn; ISTC; Rocky Mountain Series, 2002)

Women
Acy Craig (Stowe, Vt.; Carrabassett Valley Academy, Southern Vermont Series, 2002)
Madeline Lochte-Bono (Durango, Colo.; ISTC; Rocky Mountain Series, 2003)

Freeski 
Halfpipe
Men
Connor Ladd (Lakewood, Colo.; Rocky Mountain Series; 2003)
Hunter Carey (Winter Park, Colo.; Winter Park Competition Center; Rocky Mountain Series; 2002)

Women
Svea Irving (Winter Park, Colo.; Winter Park Freeride Team; Rocky Mountain Series; 2002)
Hanna Faulhaber (Carbondale, Colo.; Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club; Rocky Mountain Series; 2004)

Slopestyle/Big Air
Men
Kiernan Fagan (Brownfield, Maine; Wy’East Mountain Academy; Rocky Mountain Series; 2002)
Hunter Henderson (Madbury, N.H..; Waterville Valley BBTS; New Hampshire Series; 2002)

Women
Montana Osinski (Darien, Conn.; Stratton Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; 2003)
Jenna Riccomini (Port Matilda, Penn.; Team Summit; Rocky Mountain Series; 2004)

Skicross
Men
Eli Derrick (Harrisonburg, Va.; Carrabassett Valley Academy; Maine Mountain Series; 2002)

Ski Jumping
Men
Erik Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club / USANS; 2004)
Landon Lee (Eau Claire, Wisc.; Flying Eagles Ski Club / USANS; 2002)

Women
Annika Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club / USANS; 2002) 
Paige Jones (Park City, Utah; Park City Ski & Snowboard / USANS; 2002)

Nordic Combined 
Men
Niklas Malacinski (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club / USANS; 2003) 
Carter Brubaker (Anchorage, Alaska; Team Alaska / USANS; 2003) 

Women
Tess Arnone (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club / USANS; 2003)
Alexa Brabec (Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club / USANS; 2004) 

LIVE STREAM
Live stream of the Olympic Channel will be up in the US at TeamUSA.org/Lausanne2020 starting with Opening Ceremonies. It will be free of charge with no log-in needed. You can see their schedule here: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/live/.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
For the full schedule of events, visit Lausanne2020.sport.