VARA Gala Award Announcement 2019

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2019 VARA Merit Award Recipients

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2019 VARA Gala Invitation

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VARA WORLD CUP PARADE Photos- by Tom Martin!

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U12 VARA-NHARA OTC Project-Team Pico

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Xfinity Killington Cup Ticket Info

2018 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Tickets Available Starting Sept. 5 at 9:00 a.m. ET

Event is free and open to the public; a limited number of tickets will go on sale for select viewing areas at the World Cup featuring the Women’s Giant Slalom and Slalom

KILLINGTON, VT (August 28, 2018) – Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America and part of POWDR, announced that tickets for the 2018 Killington Cup will be available for purchase starting Wednesday, September 5 at 9:00 a.m. ET at killington.com. Taking place November 23-25, the World Cup will once again bring the women’s giant slalom and slalom races to Vermont and is expected to attract U.S. Ski Team superstar Mikaela Shiffrin to compete against the best women’s technical alpine skiers in the world.

“The Northeast has an incredible passion for world class alpine skiing and we are thrilled to once again offer free-access viewing areas so we can continue to inspire the next generation of alpine ski racers. With the community’s support, we’re looking forward to again showcasing Killington and the state of Vermont to the international ski audience this year,” says Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain.

In addition to an already action-packed, fun-filled weekend, Killington Resort will host free concerts throughout the weekend. Additional entertainment includes the World Cup Festival Village, fireworks, parades and a Friday night bib draw featuring top athletes.

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to welcome the best women ski racers in the world back to Killington for the third year,” says Herwig Demschar, chair of Killington’s World Cup Local Organizing Committee.  “Spectators will be treated to a weekend of exciting racing, as well as music and entertainment, ensuring it will be a party not to be missed.  This year, we are hoping to make history by breaking attendance records, showing the world how New England fans support their favorite ski racing stars!”

Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday events are sold separately. Ticket offerings for 2018 Killington Cup include:

General Admission - Free

In addition to the ticket offers, there will be plenty of free access viewing space for all fans to enjoy. The free area provides standing room access near the base of the Superstar trail and along the run with two jumbo screens for viewing the full race course.

New for 2018 - 4241’ Finish Pavilion - $150

The new 4241’ Pavilion located on skier’s left of Superstar (below the KMS bag jump) includes, a semi-heated tent and premium viewing area featuring a continental breakfast and an all-you-can-eat BBQ with soft drinks and hot beverages catered by the Peak Lodge. A beer and wine cash bar with specially priced drinks will be available.

SuperFan – $125

The SuperFan ticket includes standard Grandstand tickets, along with a World Cup commemorative item and a Killington adult lift ticket voucher for the 2018-19 winter season that can be redeemed without restriction.

Premier Grandstand – $100

The Premier Grandstand offers guaranteed access to the highest five rows of the grandstands at the base of Superstar trail, providing one of the best vantage points of the course. This ticket includes a mid-week, non-holiday lift ticket voucher valid for the 2018-19 winter season. Premier Grandstand tickets are extremely limited in quantity and 100% of the proceeds benefit the Killington World Cup Committee.

Grandstand – $40

Ticketed Grandstands are located at the base of the Superstar trail, adjacent to the race course, and are general admission for all rows except the top five. The grandstand provides an elevated view of the race course, along with two jumbo screens broadcasting top-to-bottom race coverage. Limited accessible seating access is available in the front row of the grandstand.

Free parking and shuttles will be available around Killington Resort, however attendees can purchase a preferred parking pass for guaranteed parking in the K-1 parking bays for $50 or in the Vale parking lots for $20. Preferred parking passes can be purchased when tickets go on sale at killington.com.

VIP ticket packages are available at kwccgivesback.org in partnership with the Killington World Cup Committee, which supports athlete hospitality and provides grants to support winter sports infrastructure and access to winter sports throughout the region.

For additional information about Killington Resort and the 2018 Audi FIS World Cup, please visit killington.com/worldcup.

About Killington Resort

Killington Resort is a four-season destination sitting on 3,000 acres in the heart of Central Vermont’s Green Mountains. The Beast of the East boasts 92 miles of diverse snow sports terrain spread across six peaks including Pico Mountain, served by the most expansive lift network and snowmaking system in Eastern North America. After the snow melts, Killington features an 18-hole championship golf course, the family-friendly Snowshed Adventure Center, 35 miles of mountain biking trails with expansion underway with Gravity Logic, plus 15 miles of hiking trails. The seemingly infinite après, dining, and lodging options have made Killington a world-class destination for East Coast skiers and riders for over 55 years. Killington is part of the POWDR portfolio. Visit www.killington.com for more information and be social with #beast365 and #beastwinter.

Contact: Kevin Flight, Elevate Communications: 781-439-7140 or [email protected]

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US Development Shared Video

Kathy Okoniewski
Eastern Region Youth Coach
U.S. Ski & Snowboard
C: +1 315.382.5045

Membership renewal time!

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2018 U14 Boys States Overall-Middlebury

2018 U14 Fundamentals Project-Stratton

2018 U12 SL Camp-West

2018 U12 SL Camp-West group pic

2018 U14 VT/NY Invitational Project-Stratton

2018 U12 SL Camp-West Duals Start

2018 U12 Camp-West Stubby SL

2017 VARA U14 SL Project

Thank you Stratton and Race Stock Sports!

Vt Ski and Snowboard Museum Event!

For Immediate Release

Contact: Susan Dorn

802.864.6667, [email protected]

Fast and Furious: An Insider's Look at World Cup Ski Racing; December 7th 

STOWE, VT: (Dec. 1, 2017)- What is it like to race on the FIS Audi World Cup against the fastest ski racers in the world? How do you hold an edge on concrete-hard ice while turning at 60 mph?

On Thursday, December 7, on the heels of the Killington World Cup, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum kicks off the first of its monthly Thirsty Thursday speaker series with a roundtable talk with some of the top racers in the state.

Get the insider's view of racing on the FIS Alpine World Cup events around the world with Olympic and World Cup racer Jimmy Cochran, US Ski Team member and UVM athlete Paula Moltzan, Igor Vanovac-a former member of the Yugoslav National Team and a Chief of Course for the Killington World Cup, and Tucker Marshall, (one of the upstart Redneck Racers) who is competing on the world circuit without support of the U.S. Ski Team but with a whole lot of humor. Marshall will also share some of his insightful and often hilarious videos from the Redneck's training and racing. The roundtable discussion will be moderated by Bill McCollom, a contributor to Ski Racing.

A photo booth will be set up so guests may have their picture taken with an authentic World Cup crystal globe. For this special occasion, Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum brings out one of the first crystal globes ever awarded. After ski racing legend Jean Claude Killy won the first two World Cups in 1967 and 1968, Austrian Karl Schranz won in 1969.

The event will be from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm with cash bar and light snacks. Admission is free with a suggested entry and photo booth donation. For the second year, the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum will be hosting Thirsty Thursdays parties and roundtables each month. The evenings are sponsored by Collective Arts Brewing, Hetta Glogg - a new après-ski liqueur - and Vermont Ski + Ride Magazine.

Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, located at 1 South Main Street in Stowe, VT, has been interpreting and sharing Vermont's ski and snowboard history for 15 years at its Stowe location.

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WORLD CUP IS COMING! Check out this VIDEO to get PSYCHED

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USCSA College Fair! [More] info on link.

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VARA WC PARADE Info - Don't be that kid without the hat!

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Booster Sponsors VARA Functional Movement Assessments U14-U16

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VARA Announces GALA Award Recipients

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VARA GOLF 2017 Recap - Lot's of help from Lillian!

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Eastern News - Lots of VT Athletes Involved!!

VARA U14 Pace Day-Killington

VARA PARADE VIDEO!

If you missed the coverage of the VARA Parade of Athletes at the Killington Women's World Cup you may watch it all you want. Click here for parade viewing!

Thanks to eef4kProductions.tv for sharing !!

Behind The Gold

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VARA BEARY EXCELLENT RAFFLE

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VARA World Cup Athlete ParadeThanks!

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The World Cup at Killington Is Coming!

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VARA WC Parade Marshalls in Training

Charlie Brown SL

Cochrans Dryland Group

Cochrans Dryland Obstacle course

Cochrans Dryland tire run

NEW ENGLAND SNOWBALL- BOSTON MASS.- Coming Up!

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July VARA News and Info

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VARA's Ryan Cochran Siegle wins the USST's SUFFERFEST!

JELLO????

Eliteam Hole held a competition at the VARA GOLF CLASSIC  - JELLO TOSS

TEAM PICO WON WITH A 5/5 SCORE!!

WHO IS THAT...... focusing on that little green square?!

VARA Athletes representing at the IPC World Cup Finals in Aspen last month-2016

U12 Team VARA/Britain

U12 Team VARA/Britain

U12 Boys at Lake Placid NY/VT Project

U12 Boys being U12 Boys!

Thank Goodness for Snowmaking-Cochrans

What a great race-Thank you to Cochrans!

Thank Goodness for Snowmaking-Cochrans

Great job to all involved!

BOC U12 Crew at Lake Placid

Thank you BOC athletes and Sue!

U12 NY/VT Project Lake Placid Coaching Staff

What an amazing staff!  Thank you to all involved in making this a wonderful experience for all.

U12 NY/VT Project Lake Placid Team Photo

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2016 VT/NY Invitational U14 Project at Stratton

Group Picture-Thank you New Balance

VARA Mascot

Marley

CanAm U14 Boys GS

VARA Boys-6 out of the top 10!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Good luck to all of our VARA athletes this weekend.  St. Patrick sent a special good luck rainbow, is there gold at the end of that rainbow?

U14 STATES - GREAT EVENT

Many thanks go out to MMSC and Stowe Mountain Resort for hosting a spectacular VARA U14 State Championships sponsored by Briko and World Cup Supply.

The weather held out on the weekend for a fantastic couple of racing days under bluebird skies! MMSC course crew, under Igor Vanovac's guidance, put on quite a show with a world class hill. The U14's may not realize the work that went in to creating such a perfect hill for their event but they were lucky to have the opportunity to race on such a manicured race hill.

Thanks to all the race officials, gate keepers and volunteers for helping make this event a great one for everyone involved.

Thanks again to  the hard working crew at MMSC.

Below is a shot of the Women's GS.

2 Boys at U14 VARA States at Stowe

2 U14 Boys from different councils hanging out together at States!

VARA U14 Girls Training Day at Pico!

Ready Set......

VARA U14 Girls Training Day at Pico!

Thank you PIco ....U14 VARA Girls Pace Day Project

Fischer Vermont Cup Overalls

2016 FISCHER VERMONT CUP OVERALL

CONGRATULATIONS!

VARA TEAM HATS M3 (Moriarty 3rd Generation)

VARA TEAM HATS COMPLIMENTS OF M3 (Moriarty 3rd Generation)

Many legendary heads have worn the VARA Team Hat. This year the VARA Team will be wearing the retro hat compliments of M3. Scott Moriarty of Stowe, VT is continuing the tradition his grandmother, Anabel, started years ago, by running the M3 (Moriarty 3^rd Generation to the Hat) company and donating the hats to the team.

Thanks M3!!

M3  802-253-2364

Hannah Utter, VARA Team 2016

To the left is Richard Sherras, VARA Team 2016

Below is the originol....worn by Sally Utter, former USST and UVM Hall of Famer!

AND..... who is this?

1978 VARA Team Member Doug Lewis!

NVC U10 Team Event at Smuggler's Notch

Theme of the Day:  May the Force be with You!

Dave Pinder - BOC

Dear Vermont Alpine Racing Association Community:

Last week, the Vermont Alpine Racing Association lost a great friend and core supporter of our youth and of our sport. Dave Pinder was a passionate advocate for the Bromley Outing Club, for its members and for ski racing in VT and beyond. Under his leadership, Dave helped advance the development of one of the oldest ski clubs in Vermont, a club that has some of the richest history of ski racing traditions in the state. In recognition of the quality of its programs and of Dave's efforts, earlier this year, BOC became one of the first club programs in the region to be awarded Podium status by USSA.

Dave was passionate about what he viewed as the essential role of the club program within the sport and within the USSA system. Always a strong advocate of programs that bring young people into the sport, Dave was an early adopter and enthusiastic supporter of initiatives to improve technical skills training for athletes and coaches. He was also an advocate for programs that keep club level racers engaged in the sport through high school, college and beyond. 

Under Dave’s leadership BOC strengthened its ties to the local high school through development of the Burr and Burton Academy Academic Ski Program and by integrating training of the BBA alpine ski team with the BOC U18/U21 program. This initiative resulted in one of the strongest high school programs in the state, winning four boys' and one girls' state championships and providing several members of the Vermont state team that won the Eastern US High School Championships last year. Many successful academy athletes came out of BOC programs, and four out of the last eight recipients of the VARA Betty Clayton Award have been from the BOC. 

Tiger Shaw, CEO of the United States Ski Association, has asked me to pass along these words about Dave: 

"It is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of Dave Pinder. As the leader of the Bromley Outing Club, Dave was a central part of the vibrancy of the BOC, and an important part of VARA and USSA. Long standing and successful clubs such as Bromley’s play an critical role in the very fabric of our grass roots and participation in our sports. Dave, as a committed leader of Vermont’s alpine and freestyle skiing youth, was the epitome of dedication to youth sports. Our thoughts and prayers go out to David’s wife Lindsey, daughter Mia, and his entire family." 

On behalf of everyone here at VARA, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Dave's wife, Lindsey, his daughter, Mia, the Bromley Outing Club, and all of the families and children that Dave impacted. VARA is richer for having had him. He will be missed.

Sincerely,

Tao Smith

VARA President 2015

DEC 2015 YIKES!

Stratton did it! An open FIS was held today at Stratton Mountain. They are planning on running another tomorrow.

GMVS will be hosting 2 slaloms at Sugarbush on Friday Dec. 18th! Sugarbush also held the first race of the VARA season on Dec 9th.

Thank you - Stratton Mountain and Sugarbush - for supporting ski racing through this rough start of the 2015-16 season!

DECEMBER VARA INFO

VARA NEWS AND INFO                                                                               

Dec. 2015       

Greetings!                  

It may not seem much like it but the racing season is here! Although Mother Nature is not being the most cooperative at this time you are fortunate to be a member of an association who has very supportive ski area venues even with limited open terrain.  VARA race sites are committed to providing trails for competition, training and registration space in their busy lodges. They work closely with the ski club directors to provide the best venues possible. It is important to show your appreciation while at the venues and to be aware of the fact that they do not have to host any races! It is a privilege for our VARA competitors to be at these sites, not a right. Awareness of the general public and being courteous to everyone at the ski area is important not only because every VARA member is representing Vermont and the sport but also because your actions may impact the future of ski racing in this state. Be sure to thank ski area personnel, race volunteers and race crew.

Have a fantastic start to the Vermont racing season and enjoy the journey.

Below is a listing of the December events for U16 and up racing and open mixed age.  Council racing for the U14 and under will begin in January.

Dec 2015 VARA Competition Events:
12           Vermont Cup SL Sponsored by Fischer   Okemo                 U16-Sr
13           VC GS Sponsored By Fischer                 Stratton               U16-Sr
                Rebecca Ann McGill Memorial
19           Vermont Cup Sl Sponsored by Fischer    Bromley               U16-Sr
20           Vermont Cup GS Sp by Fischer              GMVS                   U16-Sr
28           Vermont Cup GS Sp by Fischer              Okemo                 U16-Sr
29           Holiday Slalom                                      Cochran’s            U16-Sr
30           End of Year Open GS                             Okemo                 U12-U14

New for the U16’s this year there will be no council racing series. The U16’s will compete in the VARA open, Vermont Cups sponsored by Fischer, The George Tormey Series and U16 State Championships. For a rule refresh please see the VARA U16 Rules (hyperlink).

As you are aware the U18 age class is no longer a membership option. The U19’s are year of births 97-98-99. There will be a U19 Nationals coordinated by USSA at Copper Mtn in Colorado on 2-28-3/4. The U19’s will compete in any FIS events that they are eligible as well as any Vermont Cups sponsored by Fischer, George Tormey event s and any open VARA/USSA races.

USSA EASTERN REGION COMPETITION CALENDAR – (Hyperlink) – this calendar has all FIS events and USSA Eastern championship events as well as the Eastern Youth Calendar.  All VT events should be on the VARA Calendar on line.  Here is the link for VARA Youth Coordinator info.

New Timing Software

Please note that there is a new timing software that will be used for 2016. It is new to everyone in the entire country so please be patient with the race secretaries and organizers. The USSA changeover to the new system was done late in the fall and people will definitely need time for adjusting to the new VOLA system. The training time before race season was very short so the early season races may require thoughtful patience by parents, athletes and coaches!  There is also a new place to find live timing on the USSA website. http://ussalivetiming.com/

Please contact the VARA Office with any questions [email protected]  or 802.236.4695
Check out the VARA Facebook Page and Twitter @skiVARA

THINK SNOW!!

VARA TEAM - VARA GALA

On October 24, a beautiful fall evening in Vermont, over 100 VARA members made their way to the Quechee Club in Quechee, VT., to attend the VARA Gala. The evening was filled with the reacquainting of friends who typically only see each other at ski races and longtime VARA members enjoying old stories.

The 2016 VARA Team (pictured) was announced in the early part of the evening. Each member received their VARA Team jacket and hat. As special recognition for outstanding results at the Regional High School Championships (all schools east of the Mississippi) the Vermont High School State Team was recognized as the Regional Champions. In attendance from the High School team were Andy Kenosh, Richard Sherras and Scott Trudell. It was a pleasure to acknowledge the high school ski racers on their

Megan Ahearn/SWSC, Andy and Tommy Kenosh/Pico and Ben Ritchie from GMVS attended to accept their VARA Merit Awards.

VARA Merit Award Recipients:

George Tormey Award
Ben Ritchie – GMVS
Mickey Cochran Award
Jessie Kuzmicki – Mt Snow Ski Club
Betty Clayton Award
Tommy Kenosh-  Pico
Ginny Hunt Award
Andy Kenosh – Pico
Megan Ahearn – Stratton Winter Sports Club
Shelley Glover Award
Bobby Ryan – Killington Mountain School
Collegiate Award
Robbie Cone – Middlebury College

The induction of Gregg McClallen into the VARA Hall of Fame as well as the introduction of the Coach, Volunteer and Alpine Official of the year made for an exceptional evening rich with VARA tradition and history.

VARA HALL OF FAME – “Coach” Greg McClallen
VARA Coach of the Year – Jamie Kingsbury Wylie/ Stratton Mountain School, Development Coach and Jr Development Coach – Helen Bruno/Killington Ski Club
Alpine Official – Toni Harkins/Bromley Outing Club
VARA Volunteer – Lori Furrer/Mount Mansfield Ski Club

VARA is proud to have recognized such deserving individuals and is honored to add each name to the Gala awards history!

Announced at the gala was the newly formed partnership with the VT Ski and Snow Board Museum located in Stowe, VT. This partnership will give VARA space in their beautiful and historic facility to display our rich history, host functions, and preserve the record of our ongoing events, such as these Hall of Fame gatherings, VARA Teams, as well  as photographs, results, and trophies. With this partnership, the Museum hopes to create a greater awareness of its activities among VARA clubs and members, and increase its membership, as a result. Skiing history in Vermont is inseparable from the history of VARA, and we look forward to having a physical location to present and preserve our history.

USSA Proposes World Cups at Killington Mtn!

USSA PROPOSES WORLD CUP AT KILLINGTON, VERMONT

PARK CITY, UT (Oct. 1) – World Cup ski racing may be coming back to New England in 2016. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, along with its resort partner Powdr, Corp., is proposing an Audi FIS Ski World Cup at Killington, VT this week during meetings of the International Ski Federation in Zurich. The submission comes after years of work by the USSA to find an opportunity to bring World Cup ski racing to the most populated region of the country.

The proposed November, 2016 World Cup would include women’s giant slalom and slalom races. Among the athletes could be U.S. Ski Team superstars Julia Mancuso, Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn. If accepted by FIS, the dates would be Nov. 26-27, 2016, Thanksgiving Weekend. The race would fill the weekend traditionally hosted in Aspen during the season in which the Colorado resort is holding the World Cup Finals in March, 2017.

In a final site inspection Sept. 23, FIS Women’s World Cup Tour Director Atle Skaardal visited Killington and gave a positive report, which encouraged the USSA to move forward in the process. The bid will be submitted to FIS at its fall meetings in Zurich that run through Saturday. It is anticipated that the bid will then be put onto the draft 2016-17 World Cup calendar that will be finalized next June.

It would be the first World Cup in the eastern USA since 1991 when the U.S. Ski Team’s Julie Parisien won the giant slalom at Waterville Valley, NH.

“An eastern World Cup will have great impact on our sport by bringing the best ski racers in the world close to our largest population of USSA members and fans,” said USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “Powdr, Corp. has always been a strong partner for the USSA and we have confidence that Killington is well suited to produce an exceptional early season World Cup.”

The USSA has had a long relationship with Powdr, Corp. producing World Cup and Grand Prix events at Copper Mountain and Park City Mountain Resort. Killington has been a strong venue in alpine ski racing as a regular host to FIS Cup and USSA races.

“Killington is one of the premier resorts in the country and close to major eastern metropolitan markets,” said Powdr CEO John Cumming. “Powdr has produced World Cup events in the past at other resorts in our portfolio and has significant experience executing large-scale races such as the Audi FIS Ski World Cup.

As a FIS World Cup, the event would be broadcast worldwide to over 60 nations, along with national broadcast coverage across America. The event is anticipated to bring significant economic impact to the state of Vermont, which other U.S. World Cups have seen extend to $15-20 million.

 HIGHLIGHTS

• The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, and its resort partner Powdr, Corp., are submitting a bid to the International Ski Federation for an Audi FIS Ski World Cup at Killington, VT in November, 2016.
• It would be the first World Cup in the eastern USA since 1991 at Waterville Valley, NH.
• It is anticipated that FIS will put the Killington event on its 2016-17 World Cup calendar during meetings in Zurich, Switzerland this week.
• The event would be televised globally including national broadcast across America.

QUOTES

Tiger Shaw, President and CEO, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association

An eastern World Cup will have great impact on our sport by bringing the best ski racers in the world close to our largest population of USSA members and fans. Powdr, Corp. has always been a strong partner for the USSA and we have confidence that Killington is well suited to produce an exceptional early season World Cup.

 Calum Clark, Vice President, Events, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association

It’s been a key initiative for the USSA to find a calendar window with FIS to bring alpine ski racing to the east. Our partnership with Powdr and the early snowmaking capability of Killington were crucial to working with FIS to get onto the World Cup calendar.

John Cumming, CEO, Powdr, Corp.

Killington is one of the premier resorts in the country and close to major eastern metropolitan markets. Powdr has produced World Cup events in the past at other resorts in our portfolio and has significant experience executing large-scale races such as the Audi FIS Ski World Cup. Powdr Corp is honored to be involved in the selection process of Killington for the women’s World Cup and we look forward to welcoming the world to Vermont in 2016 and the first appearance of a World Cup Race to the East Coast in 25 years.

Mike Solimano, President and General Manager, Killington 

Killington is an ideal venue for World Cup skiing’s return to the East Coast, and to be considered for this event is a tremendous honor and opportunity for Killington and the surrounding community. We plan to hold the race on our Superstar trail, located adjacent to the K-1 Express Gondola and base area. Snowmaking infrastructure on this trail received significant upgrades this summer, and this November race will allow us to showcase our world-class snowmaking system. Killington is thrilled to represent the entire state of Vermont to the international ski market.  

About the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association/U.S. Ski Team

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association is the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding in America, and responsible for scheduling of World Cup competitions with the International Ski Federation. The U.S. Ski Team, as part of the USSA, develops and maintains teams of world-class athletes for national and international competition, including the Olympic Winter Games. For more information, visit www.usskiteam.com.

About Killington

Killington Resort is a four season destination sitting on 3,000 acres in the heart of Central Vermont’s Green Mountain. The Resort boasts 92 miles of diverse snow sports terrain spread out over six peaks including Pico Mountain served by the most expansive lift network and snowmaking system in the East. After the snow melts, Killington features an 18-hole championship golf course as well as 35 miles of mountain biking trails and 15 miles of hiking trails. The seemingly infinite après, dining, and lodging options have made Killington a world-class destination for East Coast skiers and riders for 55 years. Visit www.killington.com for more information and join the conversation on social media with #beastwinter.

Check out the proposed site [here]!

VARA Honorees for the 2015 GAlA

The Vermont Alpine Racing Association proudly announces its honorees for the
2015 Celebration of Vermont Ski Racing Gala and Hall of Fame Induction
October 24, 2015|Quechee Club, Quechee, VT

Coach Greg McClallen, 2015 Hall of Fame Inductee
Referred to as the “Dean of Vermont Ski Racing”, Coach McClallen grew up in Rutland, Vermont attending Mount St. Joseph Academy and St. Michaels College.  He started teaching and coaching in 1966 at Otter Valley in Pittsford and then went to Rutland High School in 1972 where he taught and coached for 36 years.  His teams secured 17 State Championship titles for Rutland High School and in 1987 he was named the National High School Coach of the Year.  He was active with both youth and high school sports including Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Ski Jumping and Track and Field.  Between 1988 and 2012, Coach McClallen was the Program Director and iconic leader of the Pico Ski Club Ski Alpine Racing Program where he graduated athletes year after year into academy programs as well as NCAA and other collegiate competition.  He was a master at inviting his own alumnus back to Pico to coach under him creating an environment of “giving back” that continues to the present day.  He was named the Eastern Alpine Official of the Year in 2008 and the VARA Alpine Official of the Year that same year.  In 2012, Coach McClallen was inducted into the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum Hall of Fame. 

Alpine Official of the Year, Antonia Harkins - Bromley Outing Club

Antonia Harkins has been with the Bromley Outing Club since the 1960’s starting as a student with the Jr Instructional Ski Program (JISP). Over the years Toni’s involvement changed from student to volunteer instructor for the JISP to then organizer of the JISP.  JISP is a program which serves 600 area students and 150 volunteer instructors. It was at Bromley where Toni found her love and passion for skiing and it was in the late 90’s when Toni found her way to the timing house. Since then Toni has been a mainstay for every event the BOC hosts. Her calm, cool and caring demeanor has given many athletes, parents, coaches and volunteers an unspoken assurance that the events will be contested in a fair and accurate manner. Toni works hard at every event she administers, always the first one in the door in the morning and the last one to leave at night. This year Toni eagerly accepted the opportunity to go and work at the US Nationals at Sugarloaf (on her own dime), she extended herself so she could learn  more of what was going on at the highest levels and bring it back to the BOC, so every race could have the same quality as a national event. Her tireless efforts as an alpine official have made her a worthy and deserving candidate for the Alpine Official of the year for VARA as well as earning her the Eastern Alpine Official of the Year award from the Eastern Region.

VARA Volunteer of the Year, Lori Furrer -Mt. Mansfield Winter Academy

Lori has chaired the VARA’ Scholarship Committee for over 13 years, leading the VARA Scholarship mission both in terms of shaping and expanding the criteria for the Merit Scholarships and keeping alive the legacies of those persons for whom the VARA scholarships are named.  Her passion and vision have helped grow and refine the program to its present budget of $25,000 per year.  Lori has been on the VARA Board of Directors for more than 15 years and has helped guide the association in keeping true to VARA tradition and true to VARA’s goals and mission. Lori constantly offers to help on any committees that needed assistance. She is currently Headmaster at Mount Mansfield Winter Academy and coaches U12s at the Mount Mansfield Ski Club.

VARA Junior Development Coach of the Year, Helen Bruno - Killington Ski Club

Helen has been coaching for 20+ years and has been active with MVC in that U12 world. She is a current USSA Level 200, AO and meets the requirement of PSIA CS1 and CS2. Her alumni of athletes are impressive as the “First Coach” and as a result have fostered a lifelong passion for countless racers. She continues to mentor many of them as they now join the ranks of coaching.  Ski racing has been a tradition in her life from early on and she shares that passion with her athletes. Her coaching style is student based and outcome oriented, resulting in optimizing the athletes’ performance.  She exemplifies dedication and displays an uncompromising work ethic.

VARA Development Coach of the Year, Jamie Kingsbury Wylie - Stratton Mountain School

Jamie Kingsbury is the Head U-16 Coach and Head Women's Strength and Conditioning coach at SMS. She has had a very long and successful career in ski racing as both an athlete and coach. Jamie was on the cusp of the USST as an athlete and was fierce competitor. Winning 2 NCAA GS National Titles and four time All American Status while at UVM, Jamie is a mentor, role model and motivator for each and every ski racer she works with.  In the past 3 winters Jamie placed three young women on the USST and is responsible for building one of Stratton’s strongest women’s programs. Jamie is a proud mom to baby Sawyer born April 22^nd of this year.

VARA is proud to announce the
2015 VARA Celebration of Vermont Ski Racing
Merit Award Recipients

George Tormey Award
Ben Ritchie - GMVS

Mickey Cochran Award
Jessie Kuzmicki – Mt Snow Ski Club

Betty Clayton Award
Tommy Kenosh-  Pico

Ginny Hunt Award
Andy Kenosh – Pico
Megan Ahearn – Stratton Winter Sports Club

Shelley Glover Award
Bobby Ryan – Killington Mountain School

Collegiate Award
Robbie Cone – Middlebury College

2016 VARA TEAM

Isabelle Jenne-KMS
Liam Carroll-GMVS
Maggie Sullivan-BMA
Jack Cobb-SMS
Ava Pavlik-BMA
Patrick Coughlin-BMA
Diego Holscher-SMS
Chauncey Morgan- GMVS
Hannah Utter – GMVS     
Hanako Kusumi- SMS
Zach Hall – SMS
Ian Clarke – KMS
Sanderson Kemp- MSSC
Richard Sherras- BOC
Rachel Smith – MMSC
Nina Obrien- BMA
Patrick Kenney- BMA
Christian Gallagher – BMA
Will Beney- BMA

VERMONT WON THE EASTERN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR 2015

CONGRATULATIONS!

The team will be introduced at the 2015 VARA Gala

Vermont Girls

1). Sanderson Kemp

2). Lilly Noble

3).Karin Rand

4). Ava Hultgren

5). Annika Nielsen

6). Caroline Bonin

7). Amelia Frederick

8). Emma Putre

9). Sarah Boland

10). Holli Olson

11). Brooke Wells

12). Emma Casavant

Vermont EHSC Boys

1). Bennett Coseo

2). Kyle Polson

3). Andy Kenosh

4). Richard Sherras

5). Jake Kelly

6). Oliver Sloan

7). Caden Frost

8). Tom Morgantini

9). Scott Trudell

10). Nate Coffin

11). Charlie Kelly

12). Tom Chivers

VARA FALL 2015 DATES and NEWS

[ more ]

VARA Announces Merit Award Recipients

[ more ]

VARA GOLF 2015

VARA GOLF 2015

June 2, 2015 – Green Mountain National Golf Course

The weather cooperated for the VARA Golf Classic held on June 2, 2015
Participants had a great day of golf and fun on the challenging course. Thanks to all participants, sponsor teams, patron teams and hole sponsors! GMNGC once again did an incredible job for VARA and the event, many thanks go out to the club and welcoming staff!

Team winners:

1^st  Ballston Spa (Steve Hammond, Todd Manderson, Richard Fox, Matt Riggins, Mark Thornhill), 2^nd Booster  Straps (Mike Leach, Mike Coakley, Teo Calcagni, Eric Lajeunese) 3^rd Stratton Mountain School (Mike Morin, Carson Thurber, Morgan Korpi, Micha Lashar, Will Hadden)

Mixed Team winner was – High School Racing Team Reps (Bill McCollum, Nadine Price, Al Dworshak, Steve Skilton)

Great prizes were awarded to winners and lots of swag was given away in the raffle. Thanks to all the generous support from friends of VARA.

Prizes and Raffle Support:  Fischer, Marker/Volkl, New Balance, 37 Central-Woodstock, VT, Uvex, Briko, Initial Ideas, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Swix, USSA East, Ski Metrix/Booster Straps.

Sponsor Teams: Killington Mtn School, Stratton Mtn School, Burke Mtn Academy, Killington Ski Club, Quechee Alpine Ski Team, Ski Metrix/Booster Straps, World Cup Supply/Middlebury, Green Mtn Valley School, Kelley Marketing, Atlantic Projects Co., Inc., Smugglers Notch Resort, Pico Ski Club, Stratton Winter Sports Club

Patron Teams:  Mount Mansfield Winter Academy, Reliable Racing Supply

Hole Sponsors:  Bob & Colin Devore, Lori Ford Custom Outdoor Gear, Mount Snow Academy, OMARA/Okemo Mtn School, Burke Mtn Academy, Pico Ski Club, Stowe Reporter, Mt Mansfield Ski Club, Okemo Mtn Resort, World Cup Supply, Smuggler’s Notch Resort, Ryan, Smith and Carbine, Ltd., POC, Bromley Outing Club, Fischer, Middlebury Snow Bowl, Marker Dalbello Völkl, Willard, Green Mtn Valley School, Briko, Stifel Co., Magic Mountain, ISport/Vermont Orthopedic Clinic.

If you missed the event and want to make a donation, it is not too late!

[Donate Now]

RULE CHANGES From the 2015 CONGRESS

Dear USSA Alpine Members,

Although the season just does not want to end in some parts of the country (10" powder in Colorado this week!), we are already starting to make plans for the next one. We would like to give you a couple of reminders and inform you about some upcoming rule changes which may affect your summer training, racing and purchasing plans.

Helmets: Beginning season 2015/16 athletes U14 and older must use helmets that meet the new FIS standards for all USSA GS, SG and DH competitions.

Poles: Beginning season 2015/16, SL poles for U14 and younger will be required to be 60” in height off the snow and 27mm in diameter. Stubby poles may still be used. This applies to events that are exclusive to U14 and younger; it is not applicable to mixed age races which include athletes U14 and older.

GS Panels: Beginning in season 2015/16, all USSA GS, SG and DH competitions (including Masters) must use currently homologated GS panels. 

Equipment Matrix: The updated equipment matrix approved for 2015/16 is posted on the USSA website.

FIS racing eligibility requirement outside the U.S.: To compete in FIS races outside the United States, a FIS age athlete is required to have a maximum of 120.00 USSA points in any event at the time of selection.  The current USSA points list valid at the time of selection will be used.

Eligibility to enter FIS events in Canada: In order to enter FIS events in Canada, USA competitors must be registered to appear on the FIS points list, meet the international USSA point-racing standard (maximum of 120 USSA points in any event) and adhere to national quota procedure and criteria.

Southern Hemisphere racing for first-year FIS athletes: First year age eligible FIS athletes are eligible to start in Southern Hemisphere races as long as they meet the international USSA point-racing standard (minimum of 120 USSA points in any event).

FIS Children’s Competitions: The USSA may field teams of U16 athletes to compete in FIS Children’s competitions through approved regional and national projects.  Each region may select a race to be a part of an international regional project.

U19 Age Classification: The existing two-year U18 Age Classification (16 and 17 year olds) will be replaced with a three year U19 Age Classification (16, 17, and 18 year olds) and therefore, the U18 Alpine National Championships will become the U19 Alpine National Championships.  The field size will remain unaltered.

Trial Ability Class Racing: The continued trial of ability class racing was approved for 2015/16.
Concurrent USSA/FIS speed events: The ASC approved the continuation of up to two concurrent FIS/USSA speed events in each region. The vertical drop and the course set would be the same for both events. The top five athletes in the points would be the same for both events, however they would not be required to race the course twice.

Rules for Parallel racing: Modified FIS Alpine Parallel rules were adopted.  These rules will be published in the 2015/16 Alpine Competition Guide.

Race Confirmation Deadline: The deadlines to intend and confirm race participation was changed from 28/14 to 28 days for intents and 16 days out to confirm.

Masters Helmet Ruling: FIS helmets are recommended for use by Masters ski racers  The BOD tabled the Masters helmet recommendation pending feedback from the FIS Congress in June

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our Vermont Award Winners who were recognized at the USSA Congress Awards Dinner last week.

West Family Award – Chuck Hughes (Killington, VT)
Presented in recognition of service as a USSA official.
Chuck Hughes has been a coach, parent, FIS technical delegate, Eastern AO Chairman, Program Director at Killington Mountain School, Vermont Officials Chair and a VARA Board Member. He has dedicated much time to the betterment of alpine skiing. He handles himself with grace and has earned the respect of the national and international community of ski racing.

USSA Development Coach of the Year – Steve Berlack (Franconia, NH)
16 years ago, Steve Berlack left his career to follow his passion and become a ski coach. Over the years, has worked in various capacities at Burke Mountain Academy, honing his craft to become an outstanding development coach. He has coached men and women, U16s and FIS-aged athletes, and has served as Burke’s program director. For the past two seasons, Berlack has been an integral member of the FIS men's coaching staff at Burke. This past season, USSA Eastern athletes won the Regions Cup at the U18 National Championship, in large part due to a group of young men Berlack has coached for the past four years.

More info on these awards and the many more that non alpine Vermonters won see this link. Chairman's Award Dinner

Robbie Cone, Alpine SKier of the Year

April 16, 2015

Middlebury College alpine skier Rob Cone (Killington, Vt.) has been named the National Men's Alpine Skier of the Year by the United States Collegiate Skiing Coaches Association (USCSCA). Cone had a stellar sophomore season at Middlebury in 2015, winning the NCAA Championship in the giant slalom.

No men's alpine skier in the east dominated the carnival circuit this year like Cone. He earned the GS Leader Award from the EISA and was a first-team selection. Cone won the first three giant slalom events of the season, placing second and third in two others. His slalom results were equally impressive with three second-place efforts and one third. Cone finished the carnival season ranked first in the east in the GS and second in the slalom.

At the NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, New York. Cone became the first men's individual skiing champion to represent Middlebury atop the podium since Robert MacLeod took home the men's slalom title in 1989. His top finish in the GS earned him All-American honors for the second time in his career (2011). Cone's finish aided Middlebury to win the team national title in the GS event.

Relive Cone's NCAA Championship run.

http://athletics.middlebury.edu/sports/alpineski/2014-15/releases/20150415wwc2wf

Martin Guyer U18 Nationals Reflection

Subject: 2015 U18 Nationals reflections

US National Champs!

VARA athletes show up at the US National Championships held in Sugarloaf, Maine - March 26 - March 29

Men's Slalom today March 29th!

Drew Duffy/GMVS - SG Champion

Nina O'Brien/BMA - GS Champion

Julia Ford/OMS -DH Champion

Mikayla Shiffrin/BMA - SL Champion

Check out the results on live-timing.com

CONGRATULATIONS to ALL the VARA athletes that competed in the US Championships! VARA athletes, across the age groups, have been performing well at championship events! Great to see from our small state and a testament to our program's commitment to excellence and to developing Vt's young athletes!

Congrats To VERMONT- High School Eastern Champs!

Olympian Bobby Cochran and World Cup Overall GS Champion (Crystal Globe Winner) Marilyn Cochran coached,  did course maintenance and cheered the VT High School racers on during the Eastern High SChool Alpine Championships Pictured with the VT athletes, they are center of back row in red Neck Racing hats - a real cool weekend  to say the least. 

Congratulations to the Vermont Alpine High School Team! VARA is very proud of your achievement!

HIGH SCHOOL EASTERNS GS RESULTS (hyperlinked below)

In the ladies slalom VT had 6 in the top 10. Lily Noble won and Sanderson Kemp was 3^rd!

In the men’s Slalom Andy Kenosh won and there were 4 VTers in the top 10!

http://www.vara.org/results/eastern-high-school-championships-gs/678/

SLALOM: (results hyperlinked below)

Karin Rand 3^rd  and Thomas Morgantini was 10^th

http://www.vara.org/results/eastern-high-school-championships-sl/679/

Eastern High School Champs- VT WINS!!

MARCH VARA ATHLETE RECOGNITION AND EVENTS

VARA Athlete Recognition and Upcoming Events! – March 18, 2015

U18 Alpine National Championships

VARA athletes competing in the U18 Alpine National Championships in Copper Mountain, CO enjoyed great conditions and exciting racing. Vermont competitors favored very well in the results and contributed greatly to the Eastern region winning the regions cup! VARA would like to congratulate the VT participants on some great results! VARA is proud to have had such fine representation at the U18 Nationals!

In the U18 Women’s Slalom Vara competitor Nina O’Brien from BMA earned Gold and Madison Lord also from BMA had a Bronze .  VARA had 3 racers place in the top 10. Sandra Schoepke of MMSC was 10^th. In the GS , Nina O’Brien was 3^rd and Madison Lord finished 9^th. In the Women’s SG, Ali Price of BMA was 8^th and Olivia Gerrard of BMA was 9^th! Ali Price of BMA finished 6^th in the second DH.

The U18 VARA Men performed well,  George Steffey of SMS earned a silver medal,  Spencer Smith also from SMS was 6^th and Logan Slattery of GMVS was 9^th to round out the top 10. For the U18 GS VARA had 4 skiers in the top 10. Patrick Kenney from BMA won the gold, Paul Sheils also of BMA was just off the podium with a 4^th, George Steffey(SMS) was 6^th and Logan Slattery(GMVS) was 10^th. Great showing by the VT boys and the East! VARA skiers swept the SG podium and  had 5 in the top 10, Christian Gallagher from BMA took the Gold, Silver went to Logan Slattery(GMVS) and Bronze went to Kalle Wagner of BMA. Paul Sheils (BMA) was 6^th and Mathew Wilson of BMA finished 10^th.  In the 1^st DH of the U18 Championships VARA had 4 in the top 10! Logan Slattery(GMVS) earned the Bronze while Jack Despres of GMVS was 6^th, Pate Campbell of GMVS was 8^th and Kalle Wagner(BMA) was 10^th! In the second DH of the series, Patrick Kenney (BMA) earned the Sliver and Jack Despres (GMVS) the Bronze and Christian Gallagher of (BMA) was 5^th.

For results click the hyperlinks below.
Full Results:
Women's Slalom
Men's Slalom
Women's GS
Men's GS
Women's Super G
Men's Super G
Women's Downhill 1
Women's Downhill 2
Men's Downhill 1
Men's Downhill 2

U18 Nat Women's Overall
1. Rachael DesRochers (NTG)
2. Francesca English (Squaw Valley)
3. Lucia Bailey (Ski & Snowboard Club Vail)

U18 Nat Men's Overall
1. Luke Winters (NTG; Sugarbowl Ski Academy)
2. Olver Thompson (Squaw Valley)
3. Logan Slattery (Green Mountain Valley School)

U18 Nat Regions Cup- Congratulations to the Eastern Region!
1. East
2. Rockey/Central
3. West

U16 Eastern Championships Whiteface, NY.
For full results please see the NYSEFF Website or links below.

March 16-17 SG (women and  men)
Ladies SG: http://www.live-timing.com/report.php?r=151192&rp=931101
Top 3     1. Hanako Kusumi- SMS
                2. Hannah Utter – GMVS
                3. Isabel Grondin – BMA

Men’s SG: http://www.live-timing.com/report.php?r=151191&rp=931099
Top 3     1. Chauncey Morgan – GMVS
                2. Liam McNamara – SMS
                3. Zach Hall – SMS

Rest of the schedule is as follows: Check out LiveTiming.com(hyperlink)
March 18 Men’s GS (hyperlink to race)
March 19 Men’s and Women’s SL

U16 Regionals- VARA had a very dominant showing on the top end.

• VARA had top 3 in Men's and Women's  SG
• Top 4 in Women's GS
• 3 in top 5 Men's GS,
• Top 4 Men's SL
• Women's SL 1,3,4,5 places

U16 MVP Health Care VARA State Championships: Congratulations to VARA competitors!

Overall Top 3:
Ladies:
1. Hannah Utter/GMVS – 60 pts
2. Nina Reichelm/SMS -  59 pts
3. Isabel Grondin/BMA  - 52 pts

Slalom Overall Champion – Nina Reichelm/SMS – 37 pts
GS Overall Champion – Isabel Grondin/BMA – 45 pts
SG Overall Champion – Julia Stock/GMVS – 25pts

Men:
Overall Top 3:
1. Chauncey Morgan/GMVS – 77 pts
2. Ben Ritchie/GMVS - 60 pts
3. William Beney /BMA – 53 pts

Slalom Overall Champion – Ben Ritchie/GMVS – 40 pts (tie break)
GS Overall Champion – Chauncey Morgan/GMVS- 40 pts
SG Overall Champion – Chauncey Morgan/GMVS – 25 pts

U16 Alpine National Championships and Assessment Project Schedule
Venue: Sugarloaf, ME
Dates:
March 30: Freeski
March 31: SkillsQuest
April 1: M&W SL
April 2: M&W GS
April 3: M&W SG
This schedule is subject to change!
Qualified athletes will be notified.  Please contact your regional manager with any questions. [email protected] or [email protected].

US NATIONALS coming up at Sugarloaf, Maine – Schedule I son the announcements page of www.vara.org.

VARA GEORGE TORMEY SERIES FINALS  - SAT March 21 Slalom at Killington and SUN March 22 GS Okemo – Overall standings awards, sponsored by Fischer , will be given away at the completion of the race! Standings page.

Message from VARA's President

Dear VARA Families:

Watching the World Championships in Vail, Colorado, this past week, we were inspired by the athletes and reminded of what makes ski racing such an amazing sport. The skiers’ performance was incredible. Ted’s second run of GS was for the ages and had everyone on the edge of their seats. Mikaela’s win in the slalom was an historic American moment; the energy of the crowd propelling her on to victory stands out in my mind as one of the signature moments of these championships. As do the incredible accomplishments of  Tim Kelley,  23^rd in the slalom and Nolan Kasper who also made the World Championship Team from VT.

The VARA Excellence Weekend is an opportunity for the Vermont ski racing community to remind ourselves of the gifts that our sport bestows, to give thanks for those who volunteer and for those who work tirelessly to provide an incredible life experience for countless children and individuals. Equally important, the Excellence Weekend is an opportunity to celebrate the winter mountain lifestyle and the spirit of competition.

Ski racing is not an individual sport.  This may seem counterintuitive to some, but having been involved with ski racing for over 30 years, I have come to appreciate the deep underlying fabric that weaves together individuals, teams and communities. VARA could not exist without this group effort, and this weekend we come together in groups across the state to recognize and celebrate the efforts of those who make ski racing possible.

 “To keep ski racing first in Vermont, and Vermont ski racers first in the world.”

This weekend and all winter long, please take the time to thank race workers and officials, ski area managers, lift attendants, cafeteria workers, snowmakers, groomers, ski patrollers and other resort employees for all that they do for us.  Also, take a moment this Excellence Weekend to reflect on VARA's goals, which we hope are part of your family's ski racing experience this season.

Lifestyle - To recognize skiing as a life-long sport and to promote ski racing as a healthy, fun and constructive life-style.

Competition - To create and maintain a clear path that assists VARA athletes in reaching their highest level of age-based competition.

Community- To promote a strong alpine racing community through communication, education and innovation.

Scholarship -To provide scholarship opportunities for VARA athletes through fundraising and promotional events.

These Goals reflect our Vermont commitment to the pursuit of greatness in competition, but also to a pursuit of a lifestyle that brings families and friends together for an experience that helps promote physical well-being, a love for the out of doors, stronger communities, and life-long memories and connections.

 Sincerely,

 Tao Smith

President, Vermont Alpine Racing Association

Volunteers will be given a token of appreciation provided by Camp Trucking Inc., and a big THANK YOU from VARA racers!!

Congrats to Vermont Cup Finals VARA Athletes

Congrratulations to yesterday's podium winners at the Vermont Cup Finals, Karl Acker memorial at Pico and the Vermont Cup overal athletes.

Top 3 Women yesterday:

1. Anne Guarino-SMS

2. Nicole Leibundgut-GMVS

3. Isobel Morton-GMVS

Top 3 Men Yesterday:

1. Andy Kenosh-Pico

2. Ian Woolson-GMVS

3. Ben Ritchie-GMVS

Vermont Cup Overall Standings

Women:

1. Sanderson Kemp-MSSC

2. Olivia Barbier-Pico

3. Elise Micheals-OMS

4. Megan Ahearn-SWSC

5. Anne Guarino-SMS

Men:

1. Ian Clarke-KMS

2. Andy Kenosh-Pico

3. Spencer Smith-SMS

4. Ian Woolson-GMVS

5. Zach Hall-SMS

Congratulations! And best to all in the post season events!!!

Congrats to Vermont's Mikaela Shiffrin

Congratulations To Mikaela Shiffrin on her Gold Medal in slalom at the 2015 World Championships!

Mikaela is a BMA graduate and came up through the VARA council system.

ESPN article.

Congrats to Vermont alpine racers who made the USA World Championship Team, Tim Kelley of Cochran's and UVM, Nolan Kasper from BMA and Charlie Raposo (GBR) and GMVS.  

http://usskiteam.com/

VARA EXCELLENCE WEEKEND MARCH 7-8

VARA EXCELLENCE WEEKEND

MARCH 7-8, 2015

Please join the VARA community along with race venues hosting events on the 7-8 of March in showing THANKS to our VARA volunteers, officials and resort operators.

The dedication of these individuals is more valuable than only one weekend of thanks and appreciation. Their commitment should be realized every boot buckle, every early lift, every time a bib is handed back or a trail is perfectly groomed - all year long. The simple show of gratitude is deserved and it will bring a smile to that hard working persons face and make an impression that could change our sport.

This year the MVP Health Care VARA State Championships for U16 and U14 will fall on Excellence Weekend.

DATES:

March 6-7-8

U14 Stratton Mountain

U16 Burke Mountain(men) – Sugarbush (Women)

VARA Community will Miss Ronnie

Ronnie Berlack/BMA/USST

Team USA ski hopefuls Ronnie Berlack of Franconia NH and Burke Mountain Academy and Bryce Astle of Sandy, Ut and Snowbird Ski Team,  have died in an avalanche in the Austrian Alps while skiing close to their base near Soelden.

Pictured is Ronnie with his US Ski Team teammates and racing at Beaver Creek.

Memorial Service at Lyndon Institute Auditorium at 3:15 PM, Tuesday January 27, 2015

Reception at Burke Mountain Base (Sherburne) Lodge following the memorial.

BMA alumnus Peter Murphy owns the Comfort Inn in St. Johnsbury and has a block of rooms reserved for those attending the memorial on Monday and Tuesday night.  He set the rate at $100 a night and all proceeds from the rooms will be donated to the charities that the Berlack's identified. The phone number to call to book the rooms is 802-748-1500, mention the Berlack Memorial.

We in the process of procuring lift tickets at Burke Mountain for Tuesday so that those that choose to can ski in the morning before the Memorial Service. Those details are still being worked out.

Ronnie's service is going to stream live on www.nsnsports.net on Tuesday at 3:15 PM.

Ronnie Berlack

Dear VARA Community:

It is with great sorrow that I write this note to the VARA community.  Former VARA Team athlete, BMA graduate and US Ski Team member, Ronnie Berlack, passed away after getting caught in an avalanche in Soelden, Austria on January 5th. Four other skiers were able to ski out from the avalanche, but US Ski Team athlete Bryce Astle, from Sandy Utah, was also caught and died along with Ronnie. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Berlack and Astle families. 

Ronnie was an aspiring USST athlete with great promise for the future of US Skiing. Kirk Dwyer, BMA Headmaster wrote, " There is no one who better represents our core values than Ronnie." As a respectful and respected young man, Vermont was proud to have Ronnie representing us on the international circuit.  

Our thoughts are with the Berlack family, Ronnie's friends and Burke community. Please join me in remembering Ronnie and offering our most sincere condolences to his family.

Sincerely,
Tao Smith
VARA President
Killington, Vermont

VARA Announced 2015 VARA Team

VARA is proud to announce the 2015 VARA Team. Congratulations to the athletes that have earned the privilege to wear the VARA Team jacket and hat !! The team will be announced at the VARA Gala on November 8 at the Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT., where the athletes will be introduced and awarded their jackets. We hope to see many from the ski racing community in Vermont in attendance! There will be a formal invite going out and which will be posted on the VARA website with reservation information.

Thanks and congratulations to the 2015 VARA Team!

2015 VARA TEAM

James Ferri -KMS
David Frisk-GMVS
Abi Jewett-GMVS
Sami Stolar-GMVS
Nina O’brien- BMA
Isabelle Jenne-KMS
Spencer Smith-SMS
Aedan Chiari-GMVS
Olivia Gerrard-BMA
Pate Cambell-GMVS
Lexi Skovran-GMVS
Ryan Collopy-MMSC
Jimmy Krupka-GMVS
Sydney Mason-GMVS
Sanderson Kemp-MSSC
Trevor McGlaflin-GMVS
Benjamin Ritchie-GMVS
Lauren Stobierski-MMSC
Justin Chardavoyne-BOC
Brian Mangiacotti-MMSC
Michelle Connacher-MMSC

CONGRATULATIONS!

2014 VARA Merit Award Recipients

2014 VARA Merit Awards

VARA GEORGE TORMEY AWARD U16-21 
This award is presented to an athlete who excels at a 2^nd sport and best displays a strong work ethic, strong character, and a deep love of sport. This recipient must be a Vermont resident.
2014 Recipient – Ian Clark/KMS

GINNY HUNT AWARD U18+
This award is presented to one girl and one boy from a VARA club, college or program who best exhibit sportsmanship at the U21-18 level and;
1) Displays dedication and commitment to the sport of ski racing at all levels. (College, VARA, FIS, etc.)  2) Inspires younger athletes by being strong role models and displays leadership both on/off the hill.  3) Shows interest in the development and future of the sport of ski racing.
2014 Recipients - Ryan Znamierowski/Killington Mountain School and Karin Rand/Cochran’s Ski Club

BETTY CLAYTON AWARD  U16-U21
This award is presented to a U21-16 level athlete who has attained top results while participating in a club program.
2014 Recipient – Samantha Rubin/Pico

THE MICKEY COCHRAN AWARD U18-U21
This award is presented to an athlete competing at the FIS levels, is a Vermont resident and has come up through the Vermont Council system.
2014 Recipient - Colby Jordan/Mount Mansfield Winter Academy

VARA COLLEGIATE SKIER OF THE YEAR
VT College and University alpine ski racers will be acknowledged for their accomplishments at the regional and national level.
Criteria include:
Recipient must be VARA member.
Must be a VT Collegiate skier participating on a collegiate team. NCAA, USCSA
Recipient is acknowledged based on:
Devotion to the sport of alpine skiing
Team leadership
Camaraderie, Sportsmanship, Overall character
2014 Recipient – Brad Farrell/St. Michael’s College

Shelley Glover Award
The Vermont Alpine Racing Association is pleased to create and support the Shelley Glover Scholarship. Shelley attended Burke Mountain Academy becoming an admired member of the ski racing community. In an effort to honor her contributions and impact on those around her this scholarship will be presented yearly to a young individual who exemplifies the qualities Shelley was best known for. The following criteria will be used to determine the recipient. Shelly’s family, friends, coaches and teachers created these guidelines.
                *An individual who shows compassion for those around us who are in need.
                *Reaches out to and enjoys working with younger individuals.
                *Displays dedication and commitment to academics.
                *Inspires fellow athletes to reach their potential, raise their expectations and exceed    their limitations.
                *Skis with passion, power and determination.
                *Demonstrates tenacity, perseverance and drive through their training.
                *Enjoys the journey that leads one to success.
2014 Recipient – Alice Merryweather / Stratton Mountain School

VARA Gala Award Recipients 2014

VARA Announces Honorees for

2014 

 VARA Celebration of Vermont Ski Racing GALA

The Gala Committee of the Vermont Alpine Racing Association has announced its Honorees for its  2014 Celebration of Vermont Ski Racing Gala planned for November 8, 2014 at The Equinox in Manchester, VT.

Diann Roffe, an alumni of the Burke Mountain Academy, and the US Ski Team, has been selected to be inducted into the Vermont Ski Racing Hall of Fame for 2014.  Diann is a 3 time Olympian  88, 92, 94, and a 3 time member of the USA World Championship Team 85, 89, 93.  

Diann was a committed athlete at the Burke Mountain Academy for her High School years 1982-1985.  Since her 3 Olympics she worked for Turner Broad Casting in Nagano and for the USOC for the Salt Lake games. Diann and her  husband, Art Pursel, live in Camp Hill, PA with their son Tripp. She is co-owner of a company called ALPINEOne Inc. which specialized in lockers and drying systems for ski areas, as well as universities and sports teams. She is spending a lot more time on snow with her family and coaches at Roundtop Ski Area in PA.

Some of Diann’s Career Highlights:

1985 World Championships in Bormio, Italy: Gold medal in Giant Slalom at age 17.

1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France: Silver medal in Giant Slalom.

1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway: Gold medal in Super G.

1994 World Cup Finals in Vail, Colorado: 1st Place in Super G, her final World Cup race.^[2]

Won 6 U.S. National titles.

Inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame in 2003.

Katie Mallia, Stratton Winter Sports Club, has been selected as the Vermont Development Coach of the Year. 
Katie is presently the head U12 Coach at Stratton Winter Sports Club.  Katie has been working with the SWSC  for over 5 years and is a dedicated and talented member of their race organization.  She works a full time job mid-week in Albany and doesn’t miss a day all winter on the weekends.  Katie’s leadership, knowledge, and connection with the kids and coaches is a model for the SWSC.  Katie grew up racing as a VARA member in the Southern Vermont Council system, and is carrying on her dad’s legacy, who has been a long time coach at Stratton as well.

Topher Harlow - PG, U21, U18 Women's Alpine | Head Women's Alpine Coach has been selected as the Vermont Development Coach of the Year
Topher is entering his third season as the MMSC Head Women’s Alpine Coach following three years of coaching U16’s and the Women’s Alpine Team. Topher, who grew up in North Conway, N.H., raced for Plymouth State University where he was a seven-time All-American. Prior to working at MMSC, he was the head alpine coach at Plymouth State College. Topher models respect and patience with his skiers. His goal is to understand them as whole people and support their individual goals and dreams. He is “laid back”, but firm. He communicates the value of hard work and expects it from everyone. He also understands the lasting value of teamwork and the lifelong community that ski racing builds. His philosophy has inspired other coaches to be steady and thoughtful as they plan for the future. He is helping to strengthen Vermont ski racing through his coaching expertise and his ability to build lasting relationships with athletes, parents, officials, and colleagues. Topher lives in Stowe where he recently bought a house and is the golf pro at Stowe Mountain Resort.

Robert Mangiacotti, Bromley Outing Club/SVC, has been selected as the Vermont Alpine Official of the Year. 
In 2008, Bob, his wife Mary and family relocated from New Jersey to Vermont allowing their children to pursue competitive alpine ski racing at the Stratton Mountain School. Bob started officiating, as most parents do, when his children became involved in ski racing.  He has been a Technical Delegate since 2011 and has been volunteering and working in skiing in Vermont for over 7 years.  Bob is a dedicated and talented member of Bromley and Stratton Mountain’s race organization as well as a Technical Delegate for the United States Ski Association and of Vermont Alpine Racing Association across the state of Vermont. Bob has been selected as the VARA Alpine Official of the Year for his work throughout the state and his commitment to alpine ski racing in Vermont. Bob has two children who race in the Vermont system and his wife is currently teaching at SMS.

Dave Iverson, Burke Mountain Academy has been selected as the VARA Volunteer of the Year for  his   tireless  efforts  on behalf of Vermont Ski Racing.   Dave has been on the VARA Board of Directors for 7 years and was the 2005 Alpine Official of the Year. He is teacher and race organizer at Burke Mountain Academy for 7 years .  He has been a leader in the state, helping with the Race Administrator clinics, Alpine Official updates and creator of the “Never Ever, First Timer AO update”, an event Dave organizes and runs on his own time.  Dave has also created helpful YouTube channels for BMAPhysics and SkiRaceHelp, which feature video lectures on Physics, Calculus, Race Timing and Administration and assorted topics in math. He has posted in excess of 350 videos which have received over 50,000 views. Dave is available and willing to assist at all times with technical scoring, timing and race administrator issues as well as being a vocal member of the VARA Board of Directors. He is always thoughtful of the athlete and student first. Simply stated, he has exemplifies a commitment to VARA's missions of Lifestyle, Competition, Community and Scholarship.

The Vermont Alpine Racing Association Celebration will be held on November 8, 2014 at The Equinox in Manchester, VT.

Congratulations  Diann, Katie, Topher, Robert and Dave. 

Catch up with VARA's Alpine Official of the Year

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VARA GOLF CLASSIC

VARA GOLF CLASSIC 2014

On June 3, 2014, 16 teams made up of friends of VARA arrived at the Green Mountain National Golf Course in Killington, VT to enjoy some fun chasing the little white ball around! The day was filled with networking, laughing, lots of sun and a very little bit of rain! Participants enjoyed complimentary hotdogs supplied by POC and a choice of complementary beverages courtesy of World Cup Supply.

Many thanks go out to the VARA Golf Classic Teams and hole sponsors!

Team Sponsors

Hole Sponsors

The "White Circus" has Begun

The 2013-2014 World Cup season has begun.

Congrats to Mikaela Shiffrin for an incredibile start to the season and to all the VT and American athletes making their mark!

Wall Street Journal Article

VARA ATHLETES ON THE USST - GO USA ~ GO VERMONT

Mikaela Shiffrin ~ BMA
Nolan Kasper ~ BMA
Julia Ford ~ OMS
Robby Kelley ~ MMSC,Cochran's
Ryan Cochran Siegle ~ MMSC,Cochran's
Kieffer Christianson ~ BMA
Robert Cone ~ BMA
Nicholas Krause ~ SMS
Brian McLaughlin ~ GMVS
Sandy Vietze ~ GMVS
Jack Auty ~ BMA
Ronnie Berlack ~ BMA
Danny Duffy ~ GMVS
Drew Duffy ~ GMVS
AJ Ginnis ~ GMVS

2013 VARA GALA

The VARA Gala was a fantastic evening of celebration for Vermont's ski racing's past present and future! Held on October 26th at the majestic Stowe Mountain Lodge, over 200 ski enthusiasts showed up to witness the deserving honorees acceptance of their awards!

Many thanks go out to the attendees for making the trip to Stowe, to the honorees for their dedication to a sport we hold very dear and to the individuals who worked so hard to make the event a success.

The Stowe Mountain Lodge offered an awe inspiring setting, a delicious dinner and a professional and friendly staff.

Everyone had great time reminiscing and listening to inspirational stories that brought about feelings of pride and reminded all of the great tradition and heritage that VARA is made of.

Visit the Stowe Reporter for a great article about the event.

PHOTO: Chip Lacasse, Tiger Shaw, Thomas Aicher

VARA Celebration Of Ski Racing Gala Honorees

July 2013

VARA Announces 2013 VARA Celebration of Vermont Ski Racing Gala Honorees

The Gala Committee of the Vermont Alpine Racing Association has announced its Honorees for its 2013 Celebration of Ski Racing Gala planned for October 26, 2013 at the Stowe Mountain Lodge.

VARA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

Jesse Hunt , an alumni of the Mount Mansfield Ski Club, Burke Mountain Academy, University of Vermont and the US Ski Team, has been selected to be inducted into the VARA Ski Racing Hall of Fame for 2013.  In 2002 Jesse took the position of  U.S. Alpine Director reviving a position that had not existed since the mid- nineties. His responsibilities were wide ranging, overseeing development and everything from grassroots programs to the men’s and women’s World Cup teams.

Hunt came up through the Vermont council system. He attended Burke Mountain Academy and was a promising young ski racer, he was twice named Ski Racing’s Junior Alpine Skier of the Year (1983,84). Jesse went on to have a successful tenure at the University of Vermont where he was an All American selection as a member of the 1988 and 1989 University of Vermont Ski Team and a key member of their 1989 National Championship Team.  

His more substantive contributions to the sport have come as a member of the US Ski Team Men’s Europa Cup and World Cup Coaching Staff, and later as Alpine Program Director for USSA, where he led the organization and was instrumental in the development of the women’s alpine team. During his time with the USST Jesse was a key part of what is described as the most successful stretch of alpine results in US Ski Team history which includes 4 overall World Cup titles, 12 Olympic medals and 18 World Championship medals.  His coaching responsibilities have included, Daron Rahlves, Erik Schlopy, Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn,  Julia Mancuso, Ted Ligety and many more who were up and coming US Ski Team members during Jesse's reign.

 After 16 years with the U.S. Ski Team, Jesse is presently the Alpine Program Director at Park City Ski Club. He and his wife Anne Kari, a University of Utah Nordic star from Norway, live in Park City with their two children.

VARA COACH OF THE YEAR

 Kraig Sourbeer, Burke Mountain Academy, has been selected as the

Vermont Development Coach of the Year.  Kraig graduated from of the University of Vermont. Kraig currently back at his Alma-mater (class of '83), is entering into his third year at BMA, coaching the FIS level men. Previously, Kraig spent 6 years of coaching with the US Ski Team, gradually working his way up to the position of Head Women's Europa Cup Coach. With over 20 years of coaching experience including 5 years as the Executive Director of the Smugglers' Notch Ski & Snowboard Club, one year as the Head Women's Coach for BMA, former VARA president, 4 years as the Head Coach of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, Kraig strives to bring his lessons learned and philosophy to his athletes. As an athlete, Kraig went straight from BMA to the US Ski Team where he raced the World Cup and Europa Cup circuits 1984-1987.

Guy Garofalo,  Killington Mountain School has been selected as the Vermont Junior Development Coach of the Year.  Guy, a Brattleboro, Vermont native began his love of the sport teaching himself to ski in his back yard. Guy went on to become a regular at MT Snow moving there as a youngster with his family. Guy is a UVM alumni and after graduating  he helped found the Mt. Snow Ski Education Foundation. Bill McCollum later hired him to work at KMS and Guy has since been coaching juniors at KSC and KMS for 35 years.

VARA ALPINE OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

Kim Brown,  Mount Mansfield Ski Club, has been selected as the VARA Alpine Official of the Year.   Kim has been working with the Mount Mansfield Ski Club for many years and is a dedicated and talented member of their race organization. Kim helps out at various race sites whenever he is able. Kim's leadership and organization of race day officiating were key elements for his selection.

 
 VARA VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 

 Lynne Sullivan, Mount Snow Winter Academy has been selected as the VARA Volunteer of the Year for  her   tireless  efforts  on behalf of Vermont Ski Racing.   Lynne has been on the VARA Board of Directors for more than 15 years, serving as Treasurer for the last four and as a member of the VARA Scholarship Committee. She has been a leader in the Southern Vermont Council, helped create the Mount Snow Winter Academy, is currently headmistress of MSA and has raised 8 children all involved in skiing and currently has 15 grandchildren.  Simply stated, she has exemplified a lifelong commitment to VARA's missions of Lifestyle, Competition, Community and Scholarship.

The Vermont Alpine Racing Association Gala will be hosted on October 26, 2013 by the  Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. 

Congratulations  Jesse, Kraig, Guy, Kim and Lynne.

[Click for Early Registration Form]

JESSE HUNT TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE VARA HALL OF FAME

Jesse Hunt, a Former VARA Athlete racing out of MMSC and Burke, USST member and UVM Alum.

After 16 years with the United States Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA), most recently as the US Ski Team Alpine Director, Jesse joined the Park City Ski Team Program in June, 2009.

During his time with ethe USST Jesse was part of what is arguably the most successful stretch of alpine results in US Ski Team history which includes 4 overall World Cup titles, 12 Olympic medals and 18 World Championship medals.

VARA is very proud to be inducting Jesse into the VARA Hall of Fame!

Vara Golf Tournament Today!

VARA Golf Tournament from Vara on Vimeo.

VTers WIN GOLDEN SKI AWARD

Vermonters Win the Golden Ski Award

14 VT Skiers Make US Ski Team

VARA Competitors Making the USST!!!!!!

Photo: Ronnie Berlack/BMA

Congrats to the Middlebury Men's Team

Congrats to the Middlebury men's team for winning the 2013 NCAA Slalom Championship for the second year in a row! David Donaldson 2nd Hig Roberts 6th Andrew McNealus 21st Congratulations to Mary Sackbauer for her All American 9th place finish in the GS on Wednesday. Incredible performances!!

Killington World Cup VARA Member Parade

Dear VARA MEMBERSHIP:

THE WORLD CUP IS COMING TO VERMONT AND WE ARE INVITED.

VARA Member Athletes  are invited to be part of the
OPENING DAY PARADE OF VARA ATHLETES
Saturday, November 26, 2016.

PRELIMINARY DETAILS

1. Entry to the World Cup will be FREE for VARA athletes and chaperones.
2. VARA PARADE BUS ACCESS to SNOWSHED FROM PICO will be  at 7:00AM.
3. DIRECT ACCESS TO SNOWSHED via YOUR OWN VEHICLE is available for early arrivals.
4. KILLINGTON SHUTTLES will take you from SNOWSHED to WORLD CUP VILLAGE.
5. CHECK IN at VARA STAGING AREA by SNOWDON TRIPLE to organize by Club.
6. Each participant will receive a “special edition” KILLINGTON WORLD CUP HAT (sponsored by Killington and  ) to keep.
7. Each athlete should wear YOUR CLUB UNIFORM in the Parade.
8. Each Club is asked to CREATE A CLUB BANNER to carry into the Parade.
9. Each Club will be responsible for supplying CHAPERONES for your group (roughly 1 chaperone per every 10 kids), and for getting your team to the STAGING AREA.
10. We will have DESIGNATED AREAS TO WATCH THE RACE for participants after the Parade if they so choose. (Or you can disperse to watch with your family).

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COACH OR PROGRAM DIRECTOR ASAP

Our organizers need to know HOW MANY of you will participate.  We need your help to get the word out.  Please CONTACT YOUR COACH or PROGRAM DIRECTOR to let them know that you will attend.

Additional details will follow.  Your group is responsible for your access to the venue.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD & EXCITEMENT EARLY TO YOUR CLUBS. VARA IS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY.  THIS PROMISES TO BE AN AWESOME SPECTACLE AND LIFETIME MEMORY FOR OUR KIDS

12 Days of the VARA Beary Raffle

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