UPDATE FROM NYSEF SNOWSPORTS
A MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
By John Norton
Throughout the spring and summer, NYSEF definitely felt the sense of community and support from our members, families and friends. We want to thank everyone who participated in our Summer Benefit online auction, traditionally an in-person event held in Lake Placid. We also had over 35 teams participate in our annual Golf Open. These outpourings of engagement speak volumes about the members of our NYSEF community and we’re grateful for your support.
As some disciplines shifted their training objectives for the upcoming season, others continued with regular training while taking the necessary precautions. With summer on-snow alpine camps canceled, many athletes changed their primary focus towards strength and conditioning-- getting ready to enter this season stronger and more fit than ever.
Freeride athletes continued training at the Lake Placid Ski Olympic Complex, gaining mileage and experience through trampoline and water ramp sessions, developing the technical skills that will transfer on to snow.
The Nordic community took advantage of the beautiful Adirondack landscape in and around their respective venues while rollerskiing, jumping and shooting several days a week. Some athletes received time on the jump hill in Park City, UT and Steamboat Springs, CO.
As the weather begins to change, our staff is busy planning and making sure this winter will be the best one yet!
SUMMER AND FALL JUMPING SUCCESS AND INRUN TRACKS
NYSEF is excited to welcome a few new athletes this season including ski jumpers from the Midwest who will be attending Northwood School and a group of nordic combined skiers who will attend Paul Smith’s College (PSC). PSC has a partnership with USA Nordic offering four scholarships per year to develop nordic combined athletes. In addition to some new faces, the next generation of development athletes - our youth jump team, has been consistently jumping the 20M this summer.
There is much excitement for the new refrigerated inrun tracks this winter, despite the crazy Adirondack weather. Using this state of the art technology, NYSEF athletes will be able to train on iced tracks on the K90 and K120 jumps in conditions up to 50 degrees. Even on warm winter days, competition and training sessions will continue as planned.
VAN HO’S NEW TRAILS AND NEW LODGE NEARLY COMPLETE
As we have progressed into fall, the cross country skiing and biathlon teams have filled up their daily training logs in preparation for winter competition. While all of the athletes and coaches are looking forward to what winter has to bring, the completion of the new trails and lodge facilities at Mt. Van Hoevenberg makes the excitement and anticipation that much greater.
Once the project is complete, NYSEF athletes will be able to utilize 5km of brand new race trails. The trails are lined with advanced snow guns that will offer complete snow coverage in just 3 to 4 days of snowmaking. These snow guns are gravity fed by a pond that sits at the top of the trails. These improvements will allow NYSEF athletes to begin their on-snow training earlier than ever before. But before that happens, NYSEF athletes hope to make use of the nearly completed 2km rollerski loop that feeds into the new, World-Cup-ready biathlon range.
We’re incredibly grateful to be able to have such facilities right at our doorstep!
UPGRADING YOUR BACKYARD FOR THE SEASON
After coming back from an injury, 15 year-old freeride athlete Cooper Rose finally met his goal for this summer: landing a double backflip into the pool at the Olympic Jumping Complex. So, what do you do when the summer training season ends? Build a backyard rail setup - naturally! That is just what Cooper and his family decided to do this fall. With a few materials, dedicated workers and some ingenuity you too can train whether there is snow or not.
GORE UNVEILS NEW LIFTS, INCREASED SNOWMAKING CAPABILITIES
Gore Mountain has new lifts including the Sunway and High Peaks Chairs. The snowmaking reservoir size has almost doubled, going from 21 million gallons to just under 40 million gallons, and a new line from the reservoir to the pumphouse (10" to 24") will allow for lots of snowmaking. The mountain is also working on its opening plan and it sounds like an automated snowmaking system will play a huge part in the opening process - GREAT news for NYSEF families!
FULFILLING THE NYSEF CULTURE AT BELLEAYRE
During the past several months, members of the NYSEF-Belleayre staff developed a successful off-season fitness program. Inspiration for the program initially came from the US Ski and Snowboard Team, however the greatest asset to the planning came from Whiteface U16 Head Coach, Patrick Purcell, whose outside-the-box thinking gave Belleayre staff the confidence to push not only the athletes, but also themselves. Athletes started with team hikes up the race hill, and quickly began running obstacle courses in the parking lot and on the trails as well.
NYSEF RAMPS UP WINTER TERM POST GRADUATE PROGRAM
Thanks to the operational success of the NYSEF Winter Term Program--a program allowing junior athletes to access top-tier training while continuing remotely in their school's curricula or developing an individual homeschool curriculum with our team of tutors, NYSEF has added a robust post graduate (PG) program. The NYSEF PG Program bridges the gap between high school and collegiate/national teams for elite athletes by providing the opportunity to focus on ski racing preparation and competition at a high level. The program gives post-graduate athletes opportunities to push towards their full potential. While sport becomes the primary focus for athletes in this high-intensity program, there are educational opportunities with local colleges so athletes can continue their academic goals at their own pace.
NYSEF RIDES OVER 500 MILES IN SUPPORT OF KELLY BRUSH FOUNDATION
When our friends at the Kelly Brush Foundation, the Vermont-based not-for-profit that promotes alpine ski racing safety, announced that their annual charity ride was shifting to a virtual event this season, NYSEF staff and athletes were eager to participate. NYSEF members chose their own biking adventures utilizing various routes and platforms all in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the organization. Some of the ride highlights include:
- Belleayre Program Director, Jim Catalano hit the trails on his mountain bike in the Catskills, riding over 36 miles.
- Gore Program Director, Rich Burnley rode from Whiteface to Belleayre in sections, totaling a whopping 248 miles. He took a few wrong turns...
- Womens FIS Coaches Jeremy Transue and Katie Gilligan hopped on their Peloton® bikes and challenged friends, families and athletes to join them on a 60-minute ride.
- Belleayre Program Director, Jim Catalano hit the trails on his mountain bike in the Catskills, riding over 36 miles.
- Gore Program Director, Rich Burnley rode from Whiteface to Belleayre in sections, totaling a whopping 248 miles. He took a few wrong turns...
- Northwood/NYSEF athletes and staff ascended the Whiteface Memorial Highway, climbing 5 miles with an average of 8% grade, gaining 2,300 feet of elevation.
- Two-time Olympic medalist and NYSEF alum Andrew Weibrecht, did the “Over Easy mountain bike DIY race” in the Adirondacks. The route began in Lake Placid and ended in Elizabethtown, covering 92 miles with a total of 12,000 feet of elevation gain.
- A group of Gore coaches rode 25 miles through Moreau, Wilton, Greenfield and Corinth, NY.
Kudos to everyone on their accomplishments and raising awareness for this great organization!
THANK YOU to everyone who supported NYSEF this fiscal year!
The annual report acknowledges gifts received by NYSEF between
September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2020.
The names under each membership level reflect gifts of cash, securities and in-kind. The report is compiled by the staff and the Board of Directors. The utmost care has been taken in preparing this report. Occasionally, however, errors do occur. We apologize if this has happened and ask that you notify us with any inaccuracies or omissions
CLICK HERE to access our 2020 Annual Report.
A Special THANK YOU To Those Who Volunteer Their Time And Treasure And Support NYSEF, We Are Grateful For Your Commitment!
Pictured: Congrats to NYSEF alums, Dylan Peck, Kris Meola, Christian Vonn and Collin Fingon who scored -15 to take the win at the NYSEF Annual Golf Open!
Support The Future Of Snowsports!
As the weather begins to change, our staff is busy planning and making sure this winter will be successful. Like many organizations, our priorities have shifted to ensure the health and safety of our athletes and families. The NYSEF community has always been generous in times of urgency and uncertainty - we ask that you consider supporting NYSEF in our COVID-19 relief initiative which includes the purchase of personal protective equipment, safety enhancement and modifications to our training centers and additional testing for full-time athletes and staff. This initiative will play a critical role in keeping our membership safe and sound. Please consider making a donation of any size. Your donation will have a direct impact on our programming this winter.