UPDATE FROM NYSEF SNOWSPORTS
March 2018
Junior Nationals and USASA Nationals
From Program Director, Mike Kirchner: First off, I want to congratulate all of our athletes who have reached their goal of making the post-season event through US Ski & Snowboard and USASA in all disciplines. Between Whiteface and Gore Mountains, NYSEF has qualified over 30 athletes to this year's USASA Nationals at Copper Mtn and so far around 25 have accepted their invitations. Congrats to all the athletes and thank you to the families for the continued support!
U16s at Gore Mountain and Stowe Resort
U16 States took place at Gore Mountain where several NYSEF athletes advanced to Eastern Championships in Stowe, Vermont where they competed against the best athletes in the East. Winter Term athlete, Norah Dempsey, landed a spot to U16 Nationals with a 3rd and 5th place finish at Eastern Championships. U16 Nationals will be taking place at Mission Ridge Resort in Wenatchee, WA. CONGRATS, NORAH!
World Records and Team events: Jumping
US Ski Jumping Junior Nationals that took place Feb 22-28 in Anchorage, Alaska. Three NYSEF athletes including Tate Frantz, Bryce Kloc and Matt White also qualified and participated at the Junior National Championships. With a very close point spread in the top six, Frantz was able to come away with the National Ski Jumping title in the U16 category. More information on the team event, can be found here.
NYSEF Nordic Wax & Warming Trailer
NYSEF Nordic is fundraising for a Wax and Warming Trailer! The trailer will be used to bring to race venues for waxing/testing skis quickly and efficiently, used at our ‘home’ training facilities for waxing/testing and be a prime meeting space for athletes and families. With the use of the trailer, we will transform the experience for our athletes and coaches. If you would like to support the trailer, click here and choose: Nordic Trailer. Thank you for the support!
U14 Eastern Championships at Whiteface
NYSEF hosted several U14 athletes from within the Eastern Region the last few weekends. Whiteface hosted both U14 State Championships and U14 Eastern Championships in March! Athletes from around the East raced in SG, GS and SL over the long weekend. For photos, click here.
Smiling at Kandahar Championships
NYSEF athletes raced at Windham and Toggenburg Mountains in NYSSRA Kandahar Events in March to qualify for U12 Future Stars and U12 Spring Projects. Future Stars will be taking place at Gore Mountain, March 24-25. Check out their journey to Future Stars and the Projects in West Mountain and Gore Mountain, here.
Updates from Gore Mountain
From Program Director, Rich Burnley: We are getting ready for a VERY busy final weekend at the NYSEF-Gore program. We have Eastern U19 Finals running Thursday to Sunday where 9 Gore athletes are participating. We have the NYSSRA sponsored U12 Future Stars event, with athletes across the east.
Congratulations to Cole Paton who will be representing NYSEF at the U14 Can-Am championships next week in Sugarloaf, Maine.
Last but not least, we have 18 Athletes in our Freeride program who have qualified for USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain, Colorado in April!
Alpine Summer Camps
Hello athletes and parents! This summer, we are once again offering a great summer camp experience for your athlete. This summer NYSEF will be hosting two camps: Les 2 Alpes Camp in Les 2 Alpes, France and Mt. Hood Camp at the Timberline Ski Area, Oregon. Both will be held in late June/early July.
Since 1980, NYSEF has offered annual summer training opportunities at various locations – we are thrilled to offer this experience at an affordable rate.
Adirondack Woodcraft Camps
Get 5% and Give 5%! Continue your athlete’s adventure this summer at www.woodcraftcamps.com (AWC) to give back to NYSEF and save on tuition all in one! AWC is a traditional co-ed sleep away camp for kids ages 6-16 with an emphasis on outdoor leadership and wilderness living skills based in Old Forge, NY. Doug & Christina Bartlett, owners and directors, have two children participating in the U10/U12 NYSEF Gore Alpine program where their oldest daughter started in the Sunday only program 5 seasons ago. Learn more about the camp and the Bartlett Family here.
Athlete of the Month: Tate Frantz
NYSEF February Athlete of the Month is Tate Frantz of Lake Placid. Tate is a 12 year old ski jumper and Nordic combined athlete who attends Lake Placid Central School. Tate started jumping “at 8 years old with NYSEF and was motivated to get involved after my older brother, Kai, began jumping.” Tate recently won the U16 Ski Jumping National Championships in Anchorage, Alaska (at age 12)! Also in Alaska, Tate competed in the team jumping competition which was “a cool event to work together with other Eastern athletes.” Tate and his team won the U16 Team Jumping Competition.
Tate’s coach, Colin Delaney said, “Tate is extremely coachable and always thinking of ways of going outside the box in training.” Colin added, “the fear of jumping can be an obstacle…Tate got over this fear earlier than his peers and continues to build confidence while making positive improvements.”
Some of Tate’s rituals before major competitions are “wearing the same under suit and socks and trying to have peanut butter.” Tate is eager to “finish off the season strong and have fun.” In the off season, Tate mountain bikes, bakes cookies, runs and plays soccer. Way to go, Tate!
Save the Dates
Raffle tickets & Shopping!
March 22-25: U.S. Ski and Snowboard Eastern Finals, Gore
March 24: NYSEF Nordic Raffle ticket winner announced
March 24: U10, U12, U14 Gore end of the year party, Gore
March 24: NYSEF Alumni Race, Whiteface
March 24: Noodle Night at the dack' Shack, Lake Placid
March 25: Skimiester, Whiteface
March 30: NYSEF Alpine/Freeride Raffle ticket winner announced
May 1: Early bird registration for Annual Golf Open closes
May 20: Lake Placid Community Day, Horse Show Grounds
June 10: Annual Golf Open- Social
August 18: Summer Benefit - Social
September 8- Kelly Brush Ride
September 9- 70.3 Ironman- Volunteer with NYSEF!
Raffle Tickets due before March 30!
Support NYSEF While You Shop!
- Simply sign in to your normal Amazon account, visit amazonsmile and register New York Ski Education Foundation as your preferred charitable organization.
- Amazon donates 0.5% of the price!
- AmazonSmile is the same Amazon. It is so easy!
Staff Corner: Share Your Story!
Name: Alex Shearer
Job Title: U19 Women's Coach
Favorite Hobby: Golf
How did you get involved with NYSEF Snowsports?
I went to several ski races with NYSEF athletes. I was able to see the NYSEF coaches and interact with the athletes. Plus, NYSEF athletes were always one of the faster groups at the race! I checked out Northwood School, Holderness and Gould to pursue my ski racing career. I picked Northwood for the academics, NYSEF's reputation and the town, Lake Placid.
What are the top three ‘unique’ things that make NYSEF special?
- The Winter Term program offers all athletes a great stepping stone into competitive racing. Also, living and working at the OTC is truly a special place.
- Athletes can train at Olympic Mountain like Whiteface.
- Athletes (and coaches) have the opportunity to travel all over the world where their peers may not have the opportunity to do so. Ski racing allows you to go from New Zealand to France searching for snow. Athletes are introduced to new cultures at a young age because of their affinity to snowsports.