U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced their full support for Dexter Paine in his candidacy for the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) Council. 

As a visionary leader with a deep commitment to skiing and snowboarding and its athletes, Paine has been involved in governance at both the national and international levels for decades. He served as a member of the FIS Council Executive Committee from 2014-22 and has acted as an ex-officio honorary member from 2022 to the present. Throughout his time with FIS, Paine focused on transparency, communication and inclusivity, including championing for female representation on the Council, longer terms for athlete representatives and the inclusivity of Paralympic sports. 

Paine currently serves as a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Board of Directors (2021-present), is on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board (2002-24) and is actively involved in the Salt Lake City 2034 Olympic Winter Games bid. Previously, Paine was Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors (2006-19) and was on U.S. Biathlon’s Board of Directors (2020-24). He has extensive experience in event delivery as an Executive Committee member of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado and the 2019 Freestyle, Freeski & Snowboard World Championships in Park City, Utah. 

Paine is the chairman at Paine Schwartz Partners and has more than 25 years of investment experience and 35 years in the private equity industry. In addition to his professional achievements, Paine is widely respected for his integrity, vision and dedication to the sport. His collaborative approach and strategic mindset have positioned him as a trusted leader within the skiing and snowboarding community.

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors firmly believes that Paine’s extensive experience and unwavering passion make him the ideal person to represent the interests of athletes and federations worldwide, unanimously putting forward his candidacy. 

"Dexter Paine's dedication to the advancement of skiing and snowboarding is unparalleled,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President & CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “His leadership has consistently propelled our sports forward, and we know he will bring that same level of commitment and expertise to the FIS Council. We are proud to endorse Dexter and are confident in his ability to advocate effectively for the interests of athletes and federations around the world."

Gene Sykes, Chairman of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, also voiced his support. "As an organization committed to supporting American athletes on the global stage, we recognize the importance of strong leadership within international federations,” said Sykes.
“Dexter’s proven track record of leadership and advocacy aligns perfectly with the values of the Olympic movement. We fully endorse Dexter's candidacy for the FIS Council and believe he will be an outstanding representative for skiing and snowboarding on the international level."

Olympic champion Kikkan Randall, who has served on the IOC Board, USOPC Board and FIS Council, echoed the sentiments: “Dexter has been an incredible leader and advocate for skiing and snowboarding across all levels. He understands the complex needs of all stakeholders and has always championed the athletes' voices in the process. He brings a wealth of experience, tremendous passion and dedication to making sport fair, safe and positioned for growth. Dexter is well respected across the sports universe and has been an excellent collaborator between organizations. I am proud to endorse Dexter’s candidacy.”

The election for the FIS Council takes place at FIS Congress on June 5, 2024. 

Stifel U.S. Freeski Team rookie Henry Townshend and Killington Mountain School's Eleanor Andrews took home silver medals in slopestyle competition at the 2024 FIS Slopestyle and Big Air Junior World Championships.

Due to weather concerns, officials were forced to hold finals in a double-up format and leave out scoring the final jump due to gusty winds making the course unsafe for competitors.

Townshend showed composure in the difficult weather conditions and immediately set himself up for a podium position with a first run score of 89.00. Norway’s Frank Wahlstroem was the only competitor to top the young American's score, securing Townshend a second place finish and cementing the young American as one to watch on the freeski World Cup circuit over the next few years.

After landing on the podium in her first World Cup appearance in February’s Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Mammoth Mountain, Andrews continued her successful season with a second place performance in the women’s slopestyle. Stifel U.S. Freeski Team rookie Kate Gray finished just off the podium in fourth.

Qualifications for the Junior Worlds big air are set to drop Friday, March 29. 

RESULTS
Women's slopestyle
Men's slopestyle 

Due to gusty winds and worsening weather conditions, the highly anticipated 2023-24 freeski slopestyle season finale in Silvaplana was canceled Sunday morning. With results from qualifications standing as final, Jay Riccomini (he/him) was the top finisher for the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team, taking home third overall for the women. Teammate Hunter Henderson earned fourth overall on the men’s side of competition.

Despite a season plagued with cancelations and rescheduled competitions, the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team still managed to put on a show all season, capturing the 2023-24 FIS Freeski Nations Cup and sweeping the overall men’s park and pipe standings. 

After an impressive showing all season, Mac Forehand secured the 2023-24 FIS World Cup slopestyle Crystal Globe with teammate and 2023-24 FIS World Cup big air Crystal Globe winner Alex Hall close behind in second. The two join 2023-24 FIS World Cup halfpipe Crystal Globe winner Alex Ferriera to complete the American sweep of the men’s overall podium, with Ferreira taking the top spot after a perfect five-for-five wins World Cup season. Hall landed in second and Forehand was just five points behind in third.

With podiums in Laax, Copper and Silvaplana, Riccomini finished the season third overall in the 2023-24 FIS World Cup women’s slopestyle standings.

“This season has been one for the books,” said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team sport director Skogan Sprang. “I can’t express how proud I am of all the athletes on both the slopestyle and halfpipe teams for supporting each other and creating a positive environment that breeds success.”

“We’ve had the most podiums ever, by the most variety of athletes ever and the most first time podium athletes ever,” Sprang continued. “The coaches have done an amazing job of fostering this environment while the athletes are pushing innovation and creativity and still having fun and enjoying every moment.” 

The Stifel U.S. Freeski Team heads back to the states (with extra luggage in tow) for a well-deserved break before they carry this season’s momentum into summer training.

RESULTS
Women’s slopestyle 
Men’s slopestyle

OVERALL RANKINGS 
Women
Men