|
|
|
Alpine J3
Olympics Press Release |
|
|
|
Over 160 athletes and 75 coaches arrived in a
downpour in Waterville Valley on Saturday, March 8 from destinations up
and down the east coast for the J3 Alpine Junior Olympics. But by dawn
on Sunday cold temperatures and high winds had set in and a relentless
Waterville Valley Ski Area crew was able to deliver ideal hard packed
race conditions for these competitors on Waterville’s World Cup trail.
The J3 Olympics was organized and presented by Waterville Valley Black
and Blue Trail Smashers from March 9-12 and featured the top 13 and 14
year old alpine racers from their regions in three days of
competitions-Slalom, GS and Super G.
WVBBTS/Waterville Valley Academy athletes-Drew
Stefanic, Garrett Quimby, Brian McLaughlin, Adam Dropkin, Mike Sampson,
Kerry Daigle, Eliza Cowie, Shannon Quinn and Alice Anastasia earned
their way to the J3 Olympics. WVBBTS Executive Director and Head J3
Alpine Coach Tom Barbeau shared with us, “I am so proud of all of our
athletes for earning a spot at this prestigious event. Competing among
the top 13 and 14 year old alpine racers in the east is an honor in and
of itself and speaks for the commitment of these athletes and their
parents to the sport.”
In Sunday’s Slalom, WVBBTS athletes Kerry Daigle
(7th) and Shannon Quinn (10th) finished in the
women’s top 10 and Drew Stefanic (2nd) and Brian McLaughlin
(9th) finished in the men’s top 10.
Sunday evening’s Opening Celebration in Town Square
showcased participating Waterville Valley businesses and non-profits to
our visitors from up and down the east coast. Parent and athletes
strolled from location to location nibbling on refreshments donated by
participants and depositing their gift prize tickets for wonderful
prizes donated by participants. As the stroll drew to a close the
Parade of Athletes began. What a special scene as over 160 J3 Olympic
Competitors and a color guard of WVBBTS athletes marched through the
arches of the Golden Eagle into Town Square donning the US, Canadian,
New Hampshire and Waterville Valley flags and signs from their local
racing associations to gather in Town Square for the Opening Ceremony.
Following the ceremony prize winners were announced and open skating
began. The evening culminated after dark with a magnificent fireworks
display over the pond.
In Monday’s Giant Slalom, WVBBTS athletes Kerry
Daigle (8th) and Alice Anastasia (10th) were among
the top 10 ladies and Brian McLaughlin finished 5th for the
men. Alice won the hard charger award that day moving from a 69th place
seed to a 10th place finish. Monday culminated in an Awards
Banquet at the Conference Center attended by over 440 athletes, family,
coaches and event sponsors. Guest speakers Roger Brown (former US
Alpine Team member, J3 Olympian, NCAA Champion and Dartmouth College
graduate) and Roger’s mother Marilyn Cochran Brown (gold medalist at the
World Cup here in Waterville in the 1960’s) and both members of the
legendary Cochran family of ski racers, were a highlight of the evening.
Tuesday was a speed training day in preparation for
Wednesday’s Super G event. That evening athletes enjoyed a pasta fest
and live music at the Base Lodge while parents and coaches relaxed in
the Valley.
Wednesday’s Super G was another successful day for
WVBBTS athletes Kerry Daigle with a 6th place finish and
Alice Anastasia winning the hard charger award moving from a 69th
place seed to a 12th place finish. On the men’s side in the
Super G, WVBBTS athlete Brian McLaughlin took 4th and Garrett
Quimby took 8th.
At the closing awards ceremony on Wednesday, Kerry
Daigle placed 5th overall for the ladies earning a spot on
the K2 National Team. For the men, Brian McLaughlin took 3rd
place overall and Drew Stefanic took 8th place overall,
earning them both a spot on the K2 National Team. The top J3 alpine
racers in the United States qualify for either Whistler Cup or these
Canadian National Championships. These three WVBBTS athletes are off to
compete in K2 Nationals in British Columbia during the last week of
March where the top alpine racers in Canada will also be competing.
“The support for this J3 Olympics event by
Waterville Valley Ski Area, the Town of Waterville Valley and its
businesses and non-profits along with that of WVBBTS parent volunteers
was overwhelming. Over 50 sponsors came forward providing funding, in
kind donations and services to further help make this event a memorable
one for all. We were also fortunate through relentless WVBBTS volunteer
efforts to create a first in the industry-live video and audio coverage
of the races. We received e-mails from folks around the world watching
their children and grandchildren race from their living rooms and
offices,” stated Peter Stokloza, WVBBTS CEO and Executive Director. “I
am so proud to be part of a community that so strongly supports our
organization’s endeavors. Our J3 Olympic visitors from up and down the
east cost (athletes, parents and coaches alike) repeatedly shared with
us both during and after the vent that this was the best J3 Olympics
they had ever attended-that the venues were perfect, the special events
were fantastic and the Town of Waterville Valley was a very special
place.”
For a complete listing of results and sponsor go to
http://www.wvbbts.org/Junior_Olympics/index.html
|
|
|
|
CEO Corner-From
the Desk of Peter Stokloza |
|
|
|
- The competitive and athletic spirit is alive
and flourishing inside our athletes and staff! We are currently in
the Championship phase of the season and I want to extend best
wishes to all our athletes and coaches who have put their best
efforts forward all year. We have been fortunate this season to
have ideal training conditions and the best snow I have ever
experienced. The training conditions we have experienced have
prepared our group of student/athletes for success. The statement of
“success is when preparation meets opportunity” is a fulfillment of
our commitment to the student/athletes in BBTS. Hopefully every
athlete has done his or her best to prepare and is given the
opportunity to reach a higher level of performance.
- Over the past few weeks our teams have been
training and competing in venues from Aspen, Colorado to Sugarloaf,
Maine with accomplishments as Abby Fucigna’s Gold Medal performance
in the Eastern Junior II GS Championships and her Silver and Bronze
medal performance at the US Junior Championships in Aspen,
Colorado. Our snowboard, freestyle and alpine competitors have all
recorded some very impressive results and accomplishments. I want
to especially commend our Alpine Program Director Tom Barbeau
and his staff Gary Blake and Todd Harris for preparing
his Junior 3 alpine athletes for the Junior Olympics held March 9-12
at Waterville Valley. No less than nine Junior 3 student/athletes
from BBTS qualified for the Junior III Olympics.
- BBTS athletes and coaches are in the State,
Regional and National Championship season. I want to tell them we
are proud of them for representing themselves, their families and
BBTS with honor.
- If you have any interest in the full-time
programs offered by the Waterville Valley Academy now is the time to
come for a visit and to set up an interview while school is still in
session. Please contact the academy at (603) 236 4246 or email
info@wvbbts.org .
- This year’s annual appeal has been launched
and we look forward to receiving your support. The proceeds from
the annual appeal help both the part-time and full-time programs
offered by BBTS. BBTS and the Waterville Valley Academy continue to
put forth highly competitive snowsports programs with a limited
amount of funding. Thank you for your past generosity and your
continued support of all our programs.
- Have a great rest of the season,
Pete
|
|
|
|
|
|
Academy
Corner-From the Desks Gary Benedix |
|
|
|
- This is a great time of the year to start
thinking about plans for next season, especially if you are
considering the Academy. With two weeks of school left in the
Academy program there are still opportunities to interview and tour
the campus while classes are in session. Consider that WVA is for
serious student athletes who are interested in taking their training
in Alpine, Freestyle, or Snowboarding to the next level while
keeping abreast, academically, of their home town school peers.
Classes are individualized and geared toward the home school
curriculum and training is held six days a week. Please feel free
to contact Kimberly Berman
kberman@wvbbts.org our Director of Admissions for more
information. Present students in good standing do not have to
re-apply for next year. We will be sending request forms to those
student’s parents regarding 2008 – 2009 admissions in mid April.
- I have set the date of this year’s
Headmaster’s banquet for Thursday, March 27th, 2008. The
banquet will be held at Diamond’s Edge North in town square
beginning at 6:00 PM. This is our second year at Diamond’s Edge
and considering last year with the wonderful job they did for us I
am truly looking forward to another great evening. Invitations have
been sent to Academy families and, for planning purposes, please
return the dinner selection portion of the form by Thursday March 20th.
- The end of the year is rapidly approaching and
there is still much to be accomplished by our students, both in the
classroom and on the hill. It’s time to work hard, maintain focus
and do our very best. Our students need to be very well prepared to
go back to their home schools and finish the academic year strong.
Life at WVA really flew by this year and it seems like only
yesterday, though it was back in November, when WVA traveled to
Colorado with teachers, coaches, and students for our first camp of
the year. I wish all our students the best as they take the lessons
they learned on the hill to the final competitions and their studies
in the classroom and on the road for a bright academic future.
- I look forward to seeing out present WVA
families at the Headmaster’s Banquet and also meeting new the
prospective WVA families in the weeks to come.
|
|
Q |
|
Alpine
Corner-From the Desk of Tom Barbeau |
|
|
|
- I would like to start off by thanking the
volunteers who helped at the Junior Olympics. It couldn’t have been
done without you. I know the staff and children really
appreciated your help.
- We are coming to the end of championship time
and the BBTS athletes have performed superbly. Presently, we have 3
ladies (Maddy Packard, Abby Fucigna and Amy McLaughlin) racing at
the US nationals at Sugarloaf, Me. and Brett Stein competing at the
Telemark World Cup Finals at Sugarbush, VT.
- Below will be post-season results only.
- Starting with the BWL Finals at Gunstock, BBTS
won the Team Trophy and Risa Mosenthal (1 podium), Meagan Hanratty,
Julia Flanagan, Annie Utzschneider, Jacquelyn Pearlmutter, Amanda
Damon, Nick Lacasse (2 podiums), Mike Lewis, Nate Maves-Moore,
Andrew Psilakas (2 podiums), Sabri Eyuboglu (2 podiums) and Will
Utzschneider all had top 10 placings.
- At the J3 State Finals, Kelsey Wilcox, Brian
Roche, Ben Pearlmutter, Adam Risman and Julian Romano all qualified
for the Piche Championship. Austin Nadeau and Charlie Bloomfield had
top 10 results and Annie D-Elia made it to the J3 eastern Finals at
Okemo.
- At the Piche, the boys placed 1st
to 4th with Brian Roche leading the way and not to be
outdone Kelsey Wilcox won.
- The team of Alice (Dallas) Anastasia, Lindsay
Todaro, Annie D’Elia, Aje Julian and Mike Bancroft scored 5 medals
at the Okemo J3 Finals. Alice won the Super-G and qualified for the
JO’s at Waterville Valley. Sharon Schmidt’s article in this
newsletter about our Junior Olympics shows the excellent results by
our athletes.
- Congratulations to the Loon Mt. Team on their
BWL title. BBTS placed 2nd overall with the Girls in 1st
and the Boys in 2nd. The State Team included Elena
Tomlinson (4 first placings), Nicola Katz, Ryan Schmidt, Chris
Bertram, Pate Campbell, Macaela Wright, Caroline Winslow, Chole
Ewanowski and Alexander Katz.
- Macaela Wright, Caroline Winslow, Chole
Ewanowski and Alexander Katz all went tot he J4 Future Stars weekend
at Okemo. Macaela Wright was in the Whistler Shootout where she
scored a top 5 results.
- Abby Fucigna placed 2nd in the
GS and 3rd in the SL at the J2 national Championships
in Aspen.
- At the J1/2 Finals, Gord Ellinwood scored a 3rd
in the SL and John Kalinski had a 9th.
- Brennan Smith won a silver in Super-G at the
J2 Easterns.
- Maddy Packard and Kia Mosenthal had top 10
placings at the eastern Championship Super-G and then Maddy won the
silver medal in the SL.
- There are very few Ski Teams in the country
who can match the results you see above. Three racers at the US
nationals is a tremendous feat. The grass is quite green here or
should I say the snow is white. Don’t listen to the fluff from other
places, we have the program, the coaches and the mountain to get you
to where you wish to go. By the way, for you athletes, do you work
hard enough?
- This has been a very tough year in the USA ski
community for athlete behavior. Please talk with your children about
sportsmanship and respect. We do not want sport to become like the
rest of society. We need a place where children can learn to do
things right and to be responsible for their actions and results.
- It was great to see Lindsay Vonn and Bode
Miller win the overall World Cup. Lindsay because she is a class act
and Bode because the other racers commented on his fitness level and
his lack of drinking.
Tom Barbeau
|
|
|
|
Snowboard
Corner-From the Desk of Bill Enos |
|
|
|
FROM BILL ENOS-updates through
3/10/08
March is here,
US OPEN junior jam – Sun the 23rd -- If
you are registered for Junior jam – please let Sam our I know, Sam will
be coaching the junior jam on Sun.
Riders making a name for themselves
Nick Doucette wins the Rev tour at Snow Park in PA.
- Sam said, all the riders charged it; Ian Hart also made the 12 men
final.
Wes Walsh finished 3rd in the big air at Mount Snow
Pete tells me our kid’s rode like champs at
the Ragged BX. Pete showed me pics of a nasty crash between Mac Joyce
and Steven Foley - it looked like it hurt
A few Sundays ago our Half pipe riders rode there
best HP of the season - Millie Chapman was the best I have seen her ride
and Kai Wiggins rode well enough to have the top overall scores of the
day
Check
www.usasa.org for official
results.
ALUMNI riders
At the Vans Cup rail jam, Chas Guldemond pocketed
10 grand for first and Branden Reis pocketed 7 grand ----- 10 percent
rule (I wish)
Chas also took 4th in the slope and 12th in the
pipe.
Nationals practice day
info
We will all meet on
Saturday the 28th at 8am in front of the base lodge called
Jacks just below the Half pipe. Practice is broken up into groups
throughout the day; this is usually posted at registration. If you
arrive late and miss us in the morning, Sam will be at the HP, Pete will
be at the Racecourses and I will be at the Slopestyle course. John will
be doing laps with our younger riders. For BX either Pete or I will work
our way over there depending on its location. If you are doing more
than one event, make sure you get a chance to go to every venue for
practice. Once the events start there won’t be much time to practice on
the actual competition venues. There will be a practice pipe, rails and
possibly gates during competition days to practice and chances are there
will not be a practice BX course.
We will be having a
team meeting before the opening ceremonies in the same spot as our
morning meeting place, by the base lodge called Jacks.
Here’s our contact
numbers if you have any questions:
Bill – 603.398.5139
Pete – 603.520.6406
Sam – 603.254.3338
John –603.254.3940
Congratulations to all our riders that competed in
the the Burton Am. On Sat. Milli and Samantha finished second and third
in the Half pipe. Milli cashed in a cool $500 and Sam brought home $250
big ones. Milli threw down good runs all day, finishing with a nice
Mctwist (inverted back side 540) while Sam got her front side 5's on
lock and even went for a 7. Merrick Joyce made finals in a stacked men's
division and finished in the top five. Our star half pipe rider Brendan
Chadwick had an off day, he will be back strong for the us open next
week.
On Sunday of the Burton Am everything froze over
for the slope - Milli and Jordan broke there boards while Sam almost
broke her hand. Milli rode like a champ on a board she has never rid in
before, finishing 3rd and collecting some more cash. While on the boys
side Wes Walsh finished third $ 250( almost won ) the judges said if he
had done a 5 off the second jump the contest was his. Branden Reis took
home second $500 and Ian Thorley won a cool $1000. On the ride home
there were three trophies free boards and $1750 in my truck and I still
had to buy the gas at citgo - where is the love --Brandon did give me a
pair of Burton socks he won.
Other notables - Olivia Wiggins rode very well both
days, nothing bothered her - rain, snow or ice - she just went about
her business, she is a very bright star in our future
Bill
|
|
|
|
Freestyle
Corner-From the Desk of Nick Preston |
|
|
|
- The WVBBTS freestyle athletes have found the
month of March unexpectedly productive with many significent
competitive results on World Cup and at the USSA JO and EQS
Championships.
- Starting with our US Team alumni, Dave Babic
chalked up his 1st World Cup win since a year ago at the
final World Cup Mogul event in Valmalenco, Italy. And at Are,
Sweden, Kayla Snyderman won her second Bronze of the season in
women’s moguls, thereby earning herself A team status.
- Meanwhile back in the US in Steamboat Springs,
Colorado, 30 team members competed in the 2008 USSA Junior Olympics.
The WVBBTS should be proud of the stunning results that tallied 9
Gold Medals 4 Silver and 4 Bronze.
- Reed Snyderman, JO Mogul Champion, Dual
Mogul Champion, J2 Mogul and Dual Mogul Gold medals
- Scott Nelson, JO Combined Champion
- Clayton Vila, Overall Half Pipe Bronze, J2
Half PipeGold
- Paul Sullivan Overall Aerial Bronze, J2
Aerial Gold
- Ashley Caldwell, Overall Aerial Silver, J3
Aerial Gold
- Brendan Wall Overall 5th Aerial, J3 Aerial
Gold
- Hans Gardner, Overall Aerial Silver, J1
Aerial Silver
- Tiffany Davenport, J2 Silver in Half Pipe
and Aerials
- Nick Dziemian, J3 Mogul Bronze medal
- Mac Bohonnon, J4 Aerial Bronze medal
- More opportunity awaits another large
contingent of WVBBTS freestyle skiers as they travel to Deer Valley
and Park City March 24-30 for the 2008 US Freestyle Championships.
Invited to US Champs are:
- Reed Snyderman
- Alissa Pinkoski
- Scott Nelson
- Clayton Vila
- Tyler Thistle
- Dave Powers
- Alexa Stein
- Lindsay Mustard
- Cody Bohonnon
- Paul Sullivan
- Hans Gardner
- Matt DePeters
- Tiffany Davenport
- Bennett Roukema
- Ashley Caldwell
- Alicia Cavanaugh
- Turning to our J3-J5 EQS skiers, the USSA
Eastern Qualification Series Championships have just completed at
Bristol Mountain winding up aaaaa busy and successful season,
particularly for 3 outstanding up and comers.
- Congratulations to Jessica Breda, the 2008 EQS
Slope Style Champion. Jessica followed up with a 4th in
Aerials. In a spectacular rise to the top spot, young newcomer Tyler
Mega having the EQS East Regionals in SlopeStyle, and followed up at
the Bristol Champs with a 7th in Slope and a 4th
in Aerials. Rock solid Willie Dresser also proved his competitive
skill and agility placing 6th in Slope style and 9th
in Aerials.
- I remind all our athletes, parents, coaches,
and supporters that we shall hold our year end awards ceremony this
Saturday, March 22, during the WVBBTS Barbecue beside the Comp
Center. The Snowboard team shall join us in honoring their athletes
as well. Alpine shall present their awards at the March 29 BBTS
Banquet.
- Some of our A Freeriders and a few of our EQS
mogul team may choose to attend the Mt. Snow Freeride event or the
EQS Whaleback mogul event on the 3/22 Saturday. Please do what is
best according to your competitive goals. I shall be sending Dan
Shuffleton to Mt. Snow and Nori to Whaleback, if we have sufficient
interest.
See you this Saturday.
Nick Preston
|
|
|
|
Development &
Communications Corner-From the Desk of Sharon Schmidt |
|
|
|
- Annual Giving Campaign-We have
raised in excess of $36,000 in Annual Giving Campaign plus pledges
in excess of $6000 to date to support our Club and Academy athletes
this season. We hope to make our goal by the Year End Bash on
Saturday, March 29 so if you have not yet had a chance to send in
your pledge or donation please do so by March 24 if at all
possible. The Annual Giving Campaign donation card can be found at
http://www.wvbbts.org/donate_card.pdf .
- J3 Olympics-I want to extend a
special thanks to the many parents and athletes who were so helpful
in making the J3 Olympics a great success. Lots of preparation and
implementation time goes into an event of this magnitude and we
could not have done it without you either on snow or off!
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
and Competitions in Waterville Valley |
|
|
|
- Thursday,
March 27-Headmasters Banquet-Diamonds Edge-6
pm-for Academy athletes, families and faculty. Tickets must be
purchased in advance by March 20 per order form instructions
received from Gary Benedix. Contact Academy for details if you did
not receive your invitation and order form at
gbenedix@wvbbts.org .
- Saturday,
March 22-WVBBTS Year End BBQ-11:30 am BBQ
start time and Noon Awards Ceremony start time outside the
Competition Center
- BBQ for all Academy and Club athletes and
families.
- Awards Ceremony for snowboarders and
freestylers at the BBQ since many of them will miss the BASH due
to out of town competitions on March 29.
- Saturday,
March 29-Year End Bash-5:30 pm-Waterville
Valley Conference Center-ALL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN
ADVANCE BY SUNDAY, MARCH 23 IN COMPETITION CENTER-$25 for adults and
children 11 and older; $15 for children 10 and under. If you
are not in town, you can mail your check with the number of adults
and kids by age attending for receipt by March 23 to Sharon
Schmidt, WVBBTS, PO Box 442, Waterville Valley, NH 03215.
- BASH for all Academy and Club athletes,
families and coaches
- Awards Ceremony for Alpine J1-J5 and
Masters Athletes (Snowboard and Freestyle Awards will be held at
Year End BBQ since so many are out of town competing during the
BASH; Mitey Mites Awards ceremony date and time TBA by Coach
Cooney)
- Athlete Giveaway for Alpine J1-J5, Masters
and Mitey Mites Athletes
- Sunday,
March 30-Dan Bean Memorial Race, Waterville
Valley-GS
|
