UPDATE FROM NYSEF SNOWSPORTS
WINTER HIGHLIGHTS
From left is Henry L., Eli L., coach Colin D., Kai M., Jack K. and Mitchell P. posing for a photo at the National Junior Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Championships in Salisbury, Connecticut. (Provided photo from the Adirondack Enterprise)
US Junior Nationals: Ski Jumping
Six Lake Placid-based ski jumpers and Nordic combined skiers competed in the U.S. Junior Nationals from Feb. 22-26 in Salisbury, Connecticut. The event showcased some of the best athletes under 20 years old from all over the country. Check out the article done by the Adirondack Enterprise at www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com!
Tate Frantz makes Junior Worlds
Taken from the Adirondack enterprise: Tate Frantz, of Lake Placid, poses during a FIS Junior World Ski Championship on Wednesday. Frantz, 16, who competes for NYSEF, finished his first junior world championship in 27th place. He had the 8th longest jump in the competition and was 26th in the cross-country race. Frantz has been training in Norway this season, but will return home on Sunday to train at his home hills to prepare for the FIS Continental Cup for Nordic Combined in Lake Placid on March 26.
Danielle’s new role with Eagle Island
We are excited for but sad to announce that Communications and Development Director, Danielle LaCavalla will be transitioning out of her current role with NYSEF to work as Executive Director of Eagle Island, Inc. - a summer camp on Upper Saranac Lake. Learn more about Eagle Island at www.eagleisland.org.
Devo XC Team competes in Maine
Bill Koch League (BKL) Championships in Waterville, ME were a big success! Devo athletes had some fantastic skiing with the best in EAST! BKL is a cross-country ski program for young people in the United States. Whether a child loves the adventure of cross-country skiing, of playing with friends on skis, or wants to grow up to be a ski racer, the League has something for him or her.
U16s Sweep the Competition at Gore
Congratulations to our U16 full time alpine crew, who traveled down to Gore Mountain on Sunday, February 27 to compete in the Sports Page Cup GS, and brought home a lot of hardware! Both the men’s and women’s teams completed a podium sweep with some great racing!
Belleayre’s Jack R is the NYSPHSAA Section 9 Champion
Several Belleayre athletes competed in the New York State Public High School Ski Racing Sectional Championships in the last week of February. Ryan R. walked away as Section 9 Champion, qualifying for state championships along with teammates Harry R., Sammy R., and Ryan W.
NYSPHSAA Alpine State Championships
Congratulations to all of the NYSEF athletes who competed in NY State Public High School State Championships at Gore Mountain! Micaela L of Gore won the Women's Championship in giant slalom, and the Saratoga High School Men’s team (including 3 NYSEF Gore athletes) won the team championship! Great skiing all around! Top 10 Performances:
Zoe C. (2nd SL) Cole P. (4th SL) Mallory C. (4th SL) Matt M. (5th SL, 7th GS) Taylor D. (5th GS, 9th SL) Samantha L. (8th SL) Nate R. (8th SL)
Catskill Mountain Series at Belleayre
Belleayre hosted The Catskill Mountain Series cross events #1-4 on Sunday, February 27. A number of Belleayre freeride athletes as well as one coach and mom qualified for USASA Nationals at Copper Mountain in April. Congratulations Grace N., Will Z., Michael C., Max K., and Monica K.! More details on the competitions can be found at www.usasa.org.
Nordic Junior Team at Junior Nationals in Minneapolis, MN
The Junior XC Team is at Junior Nationals in Minneapolis, MN - competing with the best in the country in their respective age groups! Check out the schedule and cheer them on at www.loppet.org/juniornationals.
More Freeride athletes qualify for Nationals!
The first weekend in March, we saw the Catskill Mountain Series freeride competitions stop at Windham , where several NYSEF athletes qualified for USASA Nationals at Copper in April! Congratulations to freeride athlete Adelaide K. on her qualification in the 13-14 year old category in both jail jam and slopestyle, as well as Will Z. and Coach Max K! Other notable performances of the weekend include 2nd for Adley G. and 3rd for Grace N. in 11-12 Freeski girls, a gold and silver each for Arel D. and Will Z., 2 silvers in snowboard from Hannah H., two bronzes from Michael C., and a gold and silver from Owen P.
Alex Watts places 2nd in Stratton!
Congratulations to moguls athlete Alex W, who took 2nd this past weekend at the Central State Championships in Stratton, VT! Way to go Alex! More on the moguls competitions this season can be found through this link.
Jump Coach Colin got hitched!
Congratulations to nordic coach Colin Delaney and his new wife Caitlin, who tied the knot earlier this month in a very special way. Colin and Caitlin ventured up Wright Peak at 3:30am in their backcountry skis and wedding attire, and were married in a small ceremony on the summit as the sun rose over the Adirondack park. Congratulations Caitlin and Colin!
Alpine State Championships at Bristol Mountain
The U16 Alpine Sports Page Cup State Championships took place at Bristol Mountain in Canandaigua, NY on March 4-6. NYSEF Athletes from Belleayre, Gore, Northwood School, and Whiteface/Winter Term made the trip west to compete in super-g, giant slalom, and slalom over the course of the three day event.
Day one saw the men’s team sweep the podium, with Gavin E., Lincoln N., Denny S., Patrick G, Henry P, and Jack C going 1-6 respectively. On the women’s side, Lily F. took bronze, with Cara D. and Sydney K. placing 7th and 8th. 
Day two of racing brought another podium sweep, only this time on the women’s side. Cara D. took home the win, with Lily F. and Sydney K. taking second and third just behind her. Ava V. had a great race, placing 5th. On the men’s side, Lincoln N dominated the competition, with Gavin E. right on his heels in second. Denny S., Henry P., and Louis F. were 5th, 8th, and 9th respectively. On the final day of racing, the men’s team went 1-8 (Lincoln N, Gavin E., Charlie H., Patrick G., Badhi B., Denny S., Henry P., Jack C.) while Lily F. once again brought home a silver medal. Sydney K., Taylor D., and Zoe C. were 6th, 9th and 10th respectively.
At the culmination of three days of competition, Lily F. of Whiteface Winter Term and Lincoln N. of Northwood School were crowned overall U16 state champions for 2021/2022. These two aren't strangers to sharing a state championship podium - they won U14 states together two years ago!
Welcome new board member!
Meet new NYSEF Board member, Annella White Dignes! Annella served as a board member of the Belleayre Mountain Racing Association (BMRA) and the Belleayre Conservatory Board both in Highmount NY. She is currently serving on the board of The Academy for Children in Mountain Lakes NJ and the Coalition for Belleayre in Highmount, NY. Annella has a long history in events and marketing, starting a yacht vacation company that later evolved into a corporate/private events company. While running her business and then in various marketing roles, she found great joy in raising her three children, Kelsey, Kenzi and Blake and putting in hundreds of miles a year as the “race parent! When asked about her interest in joining the NYSEF board she said, “When NYSEF came to Belleayre I was on-hand to celebrate, and to encourage families to take advantage of the programs. Whether the athletes remain at Belleayre, or progress in a manner that may lead them to other NYSEF venues, I believe this organization has a significant positive impact in the lives of young skiers, riders and their families.”
Annella’s children were born into a skiing family and joined the NYSEF program at different levels and specialties concentrating primarily on alpine. “Kelsey and Kenzi started at the National Sports Academy (NSA) - Kenzi continued at NSA while Kelsey went to Northwood School. All three skied on their college teams at Syracuse, Cornell and Dartmouth (Blake skied Alpine and started the freestyle team at Dartmouth).“
Annella is no stranger to the various opportunities NYSEF has to offer! “My experience with the different programs across the state will help me contribute to the future success of NYSEF at Belleayre and beyond. Given all that NYSEF provided to our children, I see this as an opportunity to give back.,” she commented.
When Annella is not working with one of the above-mentioned boards, she is outdoors - skiing, walking, hiking, swimming, lounging on the beach, biking, playing tennis and more. Although an amateur photographer, she enjoys a plethora of crafting projects. Welcome to the board!
Welcome Tiffany Van Etten!
Meet Tiffany Van Etten, our new Special Events Coordinator and Administrative Assistant at NYSEF! Tiffany and her husband, Peter relocated to the Adirondacks in 2016 to raise their family in an area they fell in love with - offering new and exciting opportunities for her children, Cole and Keely.
She lives in Saranac Lake and has worked in the insurance industry for the last 30 years (volunteering with NYSEF for the last 3 years)! Both Cole and Keely are involved in the Alpine programs at NYSEF.
She serves on the Saranac Lake Free Library board and the newly formed Saranac Lake Innovative Cycling Kids (SLICK) board - her son Cole is one of the founding members along with several other NYSEF athletes. SLICK's goal is to build a Bike Park/Pump Track in Saranac Lake. When Tiffany is not reading, biking or supporting NYSEF, she is outdoors on the trails with her family and dogs, Shelby and Raya. Welcome, Tiffany!
NYSEF Raffle ends March 20
Ticker details can be found at www.nysef.org/events. SAVE THE DATE: THE NYSEF GOLF OPEN
We hope you can join us for a special event to celebrate this winter season and enjoy some sunshine on the green in Lake Placid! Similar to years past, we are excited to host a fun event to raise funds that keep snowsports affordable for our local and regional youth. Funds raised from this event provide opportunities for athletes of all ages to reach their potential in snowsports.
Registration is $100 for an Individual and $400 for a Foursome. Registration includes: Breakfast/Lunch, Cart, Greens Fees, Range Balls, A Commemorative Gift AND The Option To Play 18 Holes The Saturday Before Or Monday After The Tournament (Cart Not Included And Must Play After 2:00PM). Register today!