UPDATE FROM NYSEF SNOWSPORTS
SPRING 2019! - HERE IS THE LATEST NEWS
NYSEF Winter Term athletes taking a science lab at the Olympic Training Center
Kandahar Happenings
Athletes from across New York State took part in Kandahar Championships at Toggenburg Mountain earlier in March! Great job to all the athletes who participated in these races (and skills day). Results can be found at nyssra.org.
Positive vibes from Jane Baumer
Jane Baumer has a positive attitude despite her sustaining injuries both this season and last season. Before her setbacks, Jane wanted to continue ski racing competitively and left her hometown of Rochester (and home mountain, Hunt Hollow) to attend Northwood School. Check out her positive vibes.
Freeride on the road
The past month freeride athletes (along with Coach Justin Perry) logged roughly 8200 miles of travel, and they are not done yet! Highlights included different stops on the Revolution Tour—FIS-sanctioned event series. The season will finish at USASA Nationals in Copper Mountain, CO. Check out what the group has been doing on the road.
U14 Easterns at Whiteface
U14 Eastern Championships took place at Whiteface on March 15-19. U14s from across the Eastern Region competed- many of these athletes are the best in the U.S. in their age group. Visit the NYSEF Flickr account for photos.
Ski Jumping Camps
NYSEF jumping coaches encourage development and youth athletes to continue the hard work they have been putting in all season. This summer there are several opportunities to get more prepared for competition season in December. Check out the upcoming camps this summer.
NYSEF Alum, Braden Fessler Harden wins Red Parka
Brad Harden competed in the Red Parka Challenge Cup Race in NH on March 16. He took first place and claimed the title (once again) among other (former) ski racers. To learn more about the challenge, visit their facebook page.
U16 Easterns, Finals, Nationals and Beyond
The U16s had a busy weekend (February 22-24) at Gore and West Mountain for U16 State Championships. They competed with the best in New York State for the chance to qualify for the U16 Eastern Championships in Sugarloaf, ME and Eastern Finals at Gore Mountain. 25 NYSEF athletes moved on to compete against the top skiers from the Eastern Region.
Top performers at U16 Eastern Championships have the opportunity to compete in the U16 National Championships, March 31- April 4 in Breckenridge, CO with the Rocky-Central and Western Regions. U16 Women Jaden Klebba, Avery Waters and Norah Dempsey (pictured below) will be representing NYSEF as part of the Eastern Team at this national event.
More information on US Ski and Snowboard events and results can be found at usskiandsnowboard.org.
Dual SL Podium at Gore Mountain
Cross-Country Team goes to Anchorage, Alaska!
The NYSEF Cross-Country team just wrapped up their season with the final races of the year at Junior Nationals Championships (JN’s) in Anchorage, Alaska.
On the women's side: NYSEF had 14 of the 26 athletes representing the Mid-Atlantic Region. Out of the 13 athletes, NYSEF had 3 women in the U16 and U18 age divisions. Marli Damp and Annie Rose-McCandlish represented the U16 group while Sylvie Linck was the sole U18 athlete. This year was Annie’s first time competing at the national level while it was Marli and Sylvie's second experience racing at JN's. All ladies showed grit and determination while competing against the nations best.
Annie, Marli and Sylvie raced hard and improved every day.
On the men’s side: NYSEF has a relatively young men's team with 2 in the U16 division, 7 in the U18 division (6 of the 7 are first years) and 2 in the U20 division. Our top performances came from Scott Schulz in the U20 category with a 3rd in the Classic Sprint and 5th in the 10k Skate (2nd place for U20 men).
For the majority of the men, they skied to their potential in very deep fields. While most are young for their age groups, they came away from JN's with more experience and fired up for the upcoming training season.
Great job to everyone who came out to race and support Junior Nationals!
Schulz takes 2nd in the 10K Skate Race
Mid-Atlantic Team
Athlete of the Month: Shane Bittinger
February Athlete of the Month is Shane Bittinger, a 16-year old, alpine skier from Monticello, N.Y. Shane began racing with the NYSEF-Belleayre program this year. Shane decided to move to the Belleayre program because of the competitive training opportunities NYSEF offers to their athletes and terrain at Belleayre Mountain.
“Determined, balanced and respectful are words that can describe Shane,” Program Director of NYSEF-Belleayre, Jim Catalano. Shane races for both US Ski and Snowboard (USSA) and High School which creates a demanding athletic schedule. Jim commented, “Shane has executed a solid season while balancing USSA racing, High School racing and managing his academics at a high level.”
As a U19, Shane is determined to “focus on this year and lower his points at the next race event.” He had the opportunity to travel and visit a variety of mountains while meeting new athletes. “Being a part of USSA has allowed me to compete with all levels across New York State,” Shane said.
When asked about recent obstacles in the sport, Shane said, “my skis at U19 Finals.” It is important to have valuable training time on skis before race day. Shane was unable to train on his new 165 cm slalom (SL) skis and had difficulty in the SL event—his best (and favorite) event during U19 Championships at Gore Mountain in March.
Shane’s goals for next season is for early training at Copper Mountain with NYSEF. In the summer, Shane water skis and rides dirt bikes!
Save the Dates
Lake Placid Community Day: June 2
Join us in celebrating Lake Placid, volunteerism, and community. FREE to all who live, work and volunteer in Lake Placid. Fun, food, drink, live music and kids games. Check out the facebook page for details.
Golf Open: June 9
The NYSEF Golf Open will take place on Sunday, June 9 at the Lake Placid Golf Course. Your registration includes: carts, greens fees, range balls, dinner, a commemorative gift AND the option to play up to 18 holes the Saturday before or Monday after the tournament. More information can be found at nysef.org/events.
Summer Benefit: August 24
The Summer Benefit provides support for the various snowsport programs offered to young athletes at Whiteface Mountain, Mt. Van Hoevenberg, Gore Mountain and now, Belleayre! The evening will include a social hour, a reception style dinner, silent auction and an inspirational program. More details will be provided shortly.
Weibrecht inducted into the US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame Museum
In August, over 250 industry advocates voted to determine the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Class. Andrew is 1 of 8 individuals selected from a pool of over 70 nominees. More information on the induction ceremony, can be found on the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Museum website.
Top Finishes from NYSEF Athletes at Championship Races
NYSEF athletes had success at their respective end of season championship events. Cecily Decker placed first in the Giant Slalom at US Junior Nationals in Waterville Valley and Beatrix Lever placed first in the Super G at Canadian Alpine Ski Championships in Mont-Edouard, Quebec. QC. WAY TO GO, LADIES!
Volunteer with NYSEF!
There are several FUN volunteer opportunities with NYSEF this spring and summer. Time commitment and start date will depend on availability of student(s) and NYSEF. Interested to learn more? Contact Danielle LaCavalla by email, daniellel@nysef.org or by phone, 518-946-7001 x 27.
Other Important dates
more events will be added throughout the season
June 2: Lake Placid Community Day- Social
June 9: Annual Golf Open-Social
June 11- 21: Mt. Hood Camp- Announcement
July 28: IRONMAN LAKE PLACID- Volunteer with NYSEF!
August 24: Summer Benefit - Social
September 7: Kelly Brush Ride- Ride with NYSEF!
September 8: IRONMAN 70.3- Volunteer with NYSEF!