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U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Knockaround Sunglasses Announce Partnership Through 2026

By Libby Arganbright
August, 29 2023
U.S. Ski & Snowboard logo

(PARK CITY, UTAH OR SAN DIEGO, CA – August 30, 2023) – U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Knockaround Sunglasses officially announce a partnership through 2026. As part of the partnership, Knockaround has exclusive selling rights of sunglasses and goggles at seven key events throughout the season for the next three years.

“We are immensely proud for Knockaround Sunglasses to launch into the snow spotlight as the official sunglasses and snow goggles partner of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team,” said Jeffrey R. Hennion, CEO of Knockaround. “Just as their athletes relentlessly pursue excellence on the slopes, Knockaround is dedicated to crafting eyewear that meets the highest standards of quality and style. Together, we’re setting our sights on a brighter, snow-capped future.”

As the official sunglasses and goggles sponsor of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Knockaround will be creating specially designed U.S. Ski & Snowboard eyewear and will be on site during the following 2023-24 events: Stifel Killington Cup, both Toyota Grand Prix events at Copper and Mammoth, the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Copper, the Intermountain Health Freestyle International at Deer Valley, Waterville Valley Freestyle World Cup, the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup and the Stifel Aspen Winternational presented by United. Aggregate Sports aided in brokering the partnership.

“We are very excited to have Knockaround on board for the next three years,” said Trisha Worthington, Chief Revenue & Philanthropy Officer of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “They are a brand that matches the personality of not only our teams, but our passionate fans too.”

The partnership will bring forward fashionable, high-quality UV protection and optimal vision products to a community of athletes and fans that seek out functional gear for all their activities, on and off the mountain.

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About Knockaround
Knockaround is the original, affordable sunglasses company from San Diego, founded by Adam "Ace" Moyer in 2005. Centered around durable shades that are both practical and stylish, Knockaround provides high-quality sunglasses that won't break the bank. Knockaround has grown to offer numerous different frame styles in a wide range of colors as well as ongoing Limited Edition special releases, collaborations, and an interactive "design your own" custom sunglasses shop. Knockaround Sunglasses have been featured in GQ, US Weekly, and The Today Show, and have been worn by countless celebrities including Matthew McConaughey, John Mayer, Natalie Portman, Snoop Dogg, and John Legend. For more information, visit https://knockaround.com/

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2023, competing in ten teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, nordic combined, Para snowboard, Para alpine, and ski jumping. In addition to the fully-funded elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers, and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success, and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Leann Bentley
Communications Manager
leann.bentley@usskiandsnowboard.org 

Knockaround
Francisco Zambrano
Francisco@knockaround.com   
 

knockaround x USSS logo

Lillis First at U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave Summer Grand Prix

By Leann Bentley
August, 28 2023
U.S. athlete Chris Lillis stands atop the podium in Park City, Utah
Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athlete Chris Lillis stands atop the podium at the 2023 U.S. Ultimate Airwave Competition at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, UT. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

Over the weekend, the best aerials athletes in the world spent the day stunning the crowd at the 2023 U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave Competition and Olympic champion Chris Lillis took home first. 

On the second stop of the inaugural FIS Grand Prix World Tour, Park City played host to a full day of world-class aerials competition and the world showed up, with athletes from Canada, Switzerland, China and Australia competing on the water ramps in front of a large home crowd. 

Most of the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athletes were on the start list, including 2023 World Champion Quinn Dehlinger and Olympic champion Justin Schoenfeld. For the men, Lillis took home his first win of the Grand Prix, and second podium of the series (he was third in Switzerland the week prior). Dehlinger was the next American man, finishing the day in fifth place. For the women, 2022 Olympian Winter Vinecki led the strong U.S. team with a fourth place finish, with teammates Dani Loeb in fifth and Kaila Kuhn in sixth. 

"This has been an event that we have been trying out and testing out around the world for about ten years now," said Lillis in a post-competition interview. "So to be able to put it into place has been amazing, and it's been a blast. I am really excited about today, and stoked to be leading the Grand Prix overall. This is a ramp I have taken thousands of jumps off in my career, so to put on a good show in front of the home crowd was amazing!" 

A unique addition to the start list were up-and-coming aerials hopefuls, who were hand-selected to compete based on video submissions to the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Aerials Pipeline: Digital Combine organized and supported by GMTM. Athletes Brayden Flynn and Beaudin Napolitano competed in Saturday’s competition, showcasing their skills on one of the bigger stages of the sport. The Digital Combine by GMTM is an athlete recruitment program that acts as a pipeline for athletes to reach the next stage of the sport. 

“In partnership with the USOPC this past spring, we teamed up with GMTM to create an aerial athlete recruitment program that allows athletes to try out through a video submission or a virtual competition series," said U.S. Freestyle Sport Director Matt Gnoza. "It was so great to see athletes from the aerial recruitment program compete at the FIS level for the first time at the Ultimate Airwaves. U.S. Ski & Snowboard are excited to assist these athletes as they work to become the next great American aerial athlete.”

"Redefining pathways for athletes -- that's what we've been working so closely on with Matt and the team," said Connor Dietz, GMTM Co-founder. "For the first time ever, any athlete is able to participate and be seen by U.S. Ski & Snowboard, regardless of their location, sport background or socioeconomic situation. We're excited that these two athletes are the first of many to follow."

Next up, aerials athletes will travel to Australia for the final FIS Grand Prix World Tour stop before the start of the 2023-24 winter season. 

Results
Men’s
Women’s 

Ligety, Patterson Inducted into Intermountain Hall of Fame

By Courtney Harkins
August, 25 2023
Ligety Hall of Fame induction
Ted Ligety speaks after being inducted into the Intermountain Hall of Fame.

Ted Ligety and Ruff Patterson were inducted into the Intermountain Hall of Fame on August 24, 2023 in Park City, Utah.

Ligety is a two-time Olympic Winter Games gold medalist, surprising the world when he won gold in Torino in 2006 and reinstating his dominance in 2014 in Sochi. He is also a seven-time World Championship medalist (including five golds), has six World Cup Crystal Globes and 52 World Cup podiums. Known as Mr. GS, he dominated giant slalom races on the World Cup circuit, with nearly 80% of his podiums coming from the discipline. Ligety retired from the U.S. Ski Team in 2021 when he was 36 years old.

Accepting his award with tears in his eyes, Ligety thanked his parents, wife and three boys for supporting him through his career, as well as his coaches and teammates sitting in the crowd, including Steven Nyman and Chip Knight. Hailing from Park City and still living in the town today, it was a special moment for Ligety to have the Hall of Fame in his backyard welcome him with open arms.

Also inducted into the Hall of Fame was Ruff Patterson, a cross country skier from Sun Valley, Idaho, who now lives in Park City. He won the NCAA championships with the University of Colorado, before coaching for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation cross country team and then the U.S. Ski Team for 10 years, working primarily with the women and attending the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. He also helped to steward skate skiing into the World Cup before taking over as the head coach for the Dartmouth Ski Team for 27 years.

Ligety and Patterson joined ski coach Butch Hoffman in the 2023 class of the Intermountain Hall of Fame. 

Former U.S. Ski Team Executive Director Bill Traeger Passes Away

By Tom Kelly
August, 25 2023
logo

Bill Traeger, who served a pioneering role as executive director of the U.S. Ski Team during its formative years as a professional sports organization in the late 1970s, died August 1, 2023 at the age of 78.

After working within the financial industry, Traeger was hired as executive director of the U.S. Ski Team in February 1977, ushering in a new period of professional leadership for the organization, which was was mostly volunteer-based before then. At that time, the U.S. Ski Team was establishing its office presence in Park City, Utah, headquartered in an old building on Main Street. 

Traeger's role focused on business management, bringing in a robust lineup of sponsors like American Express, Subaru, Dannon, Miller Beer, Pan American Airways and more. He brokered television rights for the team with CBS, battling a complex system with the international federation and overseas event organizers, and used the income to help fund development programs.

He left his role to pursue other business interests a year after the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid in March 1981. He was succeeded by Inez Aimee in July 1981.

Traeger passed away from complications with Parkinson's disease. He is survived by his wife, brother daughter and grandchildren

Freestyle Judge Nicholas Passes Away

By Courtney Harkins
August, 25 2023
Paul Nicholas

Esteemed FIS freestyle judge Paul Nicholas passed away June 19, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Nicholas began judging freestyle skiing competition in the 1970s, which led to a 35-year career in the sport and a profound impact on the development of the judge framework for the sport. He wrote the first the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Judges book and helped to introduce new events to the sport including moguls and aerials.

Additionally, Nicholas was key to bringing freestyle skiing under FIS and subsequently into the Olympic Winter Games. He judged 20 years of World Cup events and the 1988 Olympics before retiring from judging in 2006. In 2020, Nicholas was nominated for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. His knowledge and expertise were pivotal to the sport’s growth and progression.

Nicholas’ impact on and dedication to the sport will be remembered. U.S. Ski & Snowboard extends its sincere condolences to his friends, family and loved ones.

Jen Hudak: A Trailblazer in Freeskiing

By Libby Arganbright
August, 24 2023
Jen Hudak skiing halfpipe
Jen Hudak skiing halfpipe during the 2009 FIS Freestyle World Championships in Inawashiro, Japan. (Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is highlighting HERoic trailblazers throughout our winter sports, both past and present. A HERoic trailblazer is a woman athlete who has gone above and beyond in her sport, moving the sport forward through grit and determination and inspiring the next generation of women athletes. 

Jen Hudak, a notable presence and one of the OGs in the world of freeskiing, has helped pave the way for generations of athletes to excel in the sport she helped shape. 

The Beginnings     

Born and raised in Hamden, Connecticut, Hudak’s love for skiing was found during the weekends spent in Vermont. Being a curious adventurer at a young age led her to skiing in her own backyard, where she honed in her skills using a homemade rope tow created by her dad. At the age of 11, Hudak enrolled in the Okemo Mountain Freestyle Team and things started to take off. First training in mogul skiing, her coach Elana Chase came on the scene and saw the potential for Hudak in the halfpipe. After a season competing in both disciplines, Jen decided to follow her passion and started to pursue halfpipe skiing exclusively.  

The Momentum 

Through years of hard work and endless determination, Hudak podiumed in her first major competition: the U.S. Freeskiing Open in Vail, Colorado in 2004. From there, her professional ski career skyrocketed. By 2010, Hudak had become a household name as the premier U.S. halfpipe skier in the world for women. She won five X Games medals, four U.S. Championships titles and two World Championship medals, and was nominated for one of the biggest awards in sports - the ESPY for “Best Female Action Sports Athlete.” 

The tricks Hudak threw in competition were unique and were the result of her creative and dedicated practice. Many asked how she made it look so easy, and her answer credited fear management and visualization. When she entered the flow state, she was able to perform at her highest level. 

Being at the top of your sport, setbacks are common. Hudak suffered a devastating final knee injury in December of 2013 at the first Olympic qualifier, which left her unable to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. It was her eighth knee surgery and ultimately the time that she would step away from competing professionally. 

Hudak was bigger than her sport. During her career, and following, she was always an advocate for including women’s freeskiing in the competition circuit, writing letters to event organizers and sponsors and lobbying the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on behalf of women skiers around the world. 

The Balance 

Hudak's impact isn't confined solely to her athletic accomplishments. During the 30th season of the Amazing Race, Hudak and former freeskier Kristi Leskinen teamed up and made history. Placing third, Hudak and Leskinen had the highest racing average out of every all-woman team in the U.S. version of the show. 

On the creative and entrepreneurial side of things, Hudak and her husband Chris started an innovative teardrop camper company, Escapod in 2016, making handcrafted, durable and sustainable off-road campers meant to be passed down for generations to come. The Hudaks also put their energy and love into raising a family and in the spring of 2020, they welcomed baby Hudson into their lives and are soon to welcome baby number two! 

Hudak’s journey is a testament to the power of mind-body connection, there is no doubt her career has inspired and set the bar for the new generation of female freeskiers.

2023-24 U.S. Para Snowboard Team Nominations Announced 

By Ryan Odeja
August, 23 2023
Mike Minor competes in the dual banked slalom team event at the 2023 Para Snowboard World Championships in La Molina, Spain
Mike Minor competes in the dual banked slalom team event at the 2023 Para Snowboard World Championships in La Molina, Spain. (Alex Franco)

Park City, UT (August 23, 2023) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard is thrilled to announce the 10 athletes nominated to represent the U.S. Para Snowboard Team across sport classes for the 2023-24 season.

This year’s roster is highlighted by the 2023 “Best Athlete with a Disability” ESPY Award winner Zach Miller. Miller wrapped up last season with three medals at the 2023 World Championships in La Molina, Spain with a gold in banked slalom team, silver in dual banked slalom and snowboardcross bronze. Also headlining the team with Miller are two-time Paralympic gold medalist Brenna Huckaby and two-time Paralympic medalist Keith Gabel. 

New to the pro team this year are athletes Peggy Martin and Darian Haynes. Martin has been a staple and trailblazer on the U.S. Para Snowboard Team scene for the past 30 years as one of the first competitive snowboarders in the world. Haynes is a surfer by trade but swapped the ocean for the mountains and made a huge impact in her first competitive season, becoming the 2022-23 FIS World Cup overall Para banked slalom champion. 

“Our Para Snowboard team has had great achievements the past few years and we are excited to now have these athletes on board with U.S. Ski & Snowboard,” said Anouk Patty, U.S. Ski & Snowboard's Chief of Sport. “The team has the ability to find success on the slopes and we can’t wait to see how they do this upcoming season.”

The U.S. Para Snowboard Team is led by Para Sport Director Erik Leirfallom and newly hired Head Coach Mark “Skiddy” Kelly. Kelly has been in the Para sports world for more than 20 years, including coaching and working as the alpine and snowboard team service tech with the USOPC since 2010. 

“I believe the team has what it takes to be very competitive this season,” said Leirfallom. “This group has a lot of great talent and the ability to push each other on and off the slopes. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish with the new resources available to us to help the athletes improve.” 

The 2023-24 FIS Para Snowboard World Cup season is scheduled to start with a set of banked slalom races for men and women in Landgraaf, Netherlands at the end of November. Additionally, the team will make stops in Finland, Italy and Germany before finishing up the season in Mt. Sima, Canada. Find the finalized FIS World Cup schedule here

2023-24 U.S. Para Snowboard Team

(Hometown; Club; Birthdate)

Women

Darian Haynes (Muncie, IN; Adaptive Action Sports; 1/3/2000)

Brenna Huckaby (Baton Rouge, LA; Team Utah Snowboarding; 1/22/1996)

Peggy Martin (Elgin, IL; 5/25/1964)

Men

Noah Elliott (St. Charles, MO; Team Panasonic; 7/12/1997)

Keith Gabel (Ogden, UT; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/20/1984)

Zach Miller (Silverthorne, CO; Adaptive Action Sports; 3/10/1999)

Mike Minor (Scranton, PA; Adaptive Action Sports; 7/28/1990)

Joe Pleban (Fredericksburg, VA; Adaptive Action Sports; 8/7/1990)

Mike Schultz (St. Cloud, MN; 8/27/1981)

Evan Strong (Haiku, HI; Adaptive Action Sports; 11/13/1986)

FOLLOW THE U.S. PARA SNOWBOARD TEAM

Instagram: @usparaskisnowboard

Facebook: U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team

Twitter: @usskiteam

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2023 Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Moguls Fundraiser Exceeds Goal

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
August, 22 2023
Moguls team members pose for a photo at their annual team fundraiser
Stifel U.S. Freestyle moguls team members take a group photo at their annual team fundraiser (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

The Stifel U.S Freestyle Ski Team moguls team held their annual fundraiser this past Friday, August 19, at Red Sky Ranch in Wolcott, Colorado. Thank you to the hosts, Jim and Jeffy Benedict, the evening wrapped up on a good note with the original $150,000 goal being overwhelmingly exceeded. 

The fundraiser, which is in its fourth consecutive year, included an evening where trustees, local ski fans, parents of athletes and alumni were able to mingle with the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team moguls athletes and raise funds for the upcoming 2023-24 season. 

The event started with a silent auction and featured autograph signings, mingling with the athletes, coaches and more. The support from the evening - and beyond - helps provide the necessary resources, training opportunities and coaching to help our athletes reach their full potential, on and off the mountain, for the number one moguls team in the world. 

Make a gift to support the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Moguls Athletes! 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Hydro Flask Announce Title Partnership of Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team

By Libby Arganbright
August, 21 2023
Hydroflask x U.S. Ski & Snowboard Logo

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today the first snowboard title partnership in history with Hydro Flask, an award-winning leader in high-performance, insulated stainless steel flasks and soft goods innovations and a Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ: HELE) brand, officially naming the team the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team. 

The Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team includes athletes such as two-time Olympic champion Chloe Kim, the most decorated snowboard cross athlete of all time and two-time Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Jacobellis, and X Games champion and FIS Crystal Globe winner Dusty Henricksen. 

“I’m super excited about Hydro Flask coming on board as the title partner of the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team,” said Chloe Kim, two-time Olympic gold medalist and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team member. “This type of support is so important for our sport. The future of snowboarding looks very bright!”

“We are delighted to have Hydro Flask on board as the new title partner of the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “This is the most significant partnership we’ve ever had for the snowboard team and also the perfect brand alignment. We are excited to work together and further support our incredible snowboard athletes.”

The partnership will bring additional financial and marketing support to the snowboard program over the next three years, extending through the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. This groundbreaking partnership unites two brands that hold mutual values, including a passion for the outdoors, a commitment to sustainability and a strong sense of community.  

“We are thrilled to be a part of the U.S. Snowboard Team. These athletes are creative and passionate, bringing an unrivaled level of energy to the outdoors, which we love to see,” said Larry Witt, President of Helen of Troy’s Home & Outdoor segment. ”With a shared dedication to style and performance, we are excited to help support and hydrate this talented group of individuals as they begin their journey toward the 2026 Winter Olympics."

“I’m stoked on this partnership with Hydro Flask,” said Dusty Henricksen, X Games champion and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team athlete. “It’s a great brand and a great fit for our team. I’m hyped for all of the athletes, and for the sport in general.”

Hydro Flask’s title sponsorship broadens a pre-existing partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard. The brand has been a named supplier to the team since 2019 and produced co-branded bottles and gear throughout the last four years. 

Expanding beyond the title partnership, Hydro Flask will also take on the role of associate partner at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix events held at Copper Mountain, Colorado and Mammoth Mountain, California. Additionally, Hydro Flask will be involved in the Visa Big Air event taking place in Copper Mountain, Colorado.

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About Hydro Flask 

Hydro Flask® is the leader in high-performance insulated products that help people enjoy the things they love to do in the places they love to be. From the number one-selling water bottle* to soft goods innovations like the Day Escape™ Soft Coolers to the Outdoor Kitchen dining collection, Hydro Flask’s delightfully simple designs and go-anywhere durability delivers the perfect temperature when you need it. Founded in 2009 in Bend, Oregon, Hydro Flask inspires active outdoor lives with two simple words: Let’s Go! Its giving program, Parks For All, supports nonprofit organizations focused on building, maintaining, restoring, and investing in public green spaces so people everywhere can live healthier, happier, and more fulfilled lives. To learn more about Hydro Flask, Parks For All, and to see the full lineup of award-winning products, visit  www.hydroflask.com.

*According to third-party data

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2023, competing in ten teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, nordic combined, para snowboard, para alpine, and ski jumping. In addition to the fully-funded elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers, and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success, and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Courtney Harkins
Director, Marketing & Communications
courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org

Hydro Flask
TURNER PR
hydroflask@turnerpr.com
212-889-1700

2023-24 U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team Nominations Announced

By Ryan Odeja
August, 21 2023
Ravi Drugan of USA competes in the Men's Sitting Downhill race at the World Para Snow Sports Championships at Hafjell on January 14, 2022 in Lillehammer, Norway. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Ravi Drugan skis around a gate at the 2022 World Para Snow Sports Championships in Lillehammer (Luc Percival)

Park City, UT (August 21, 2023) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard is excited to announce the 13 athletes nominated to represent the U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team across sport classes for the 2023-24 competition season.

This year’s roster is filled with talent, including seven-time Paralympic medalist Laurie Stephens, two-time Paralympic medalist Andrew Kurka and Paralympic silver medalist Thomas Walsh. Andrew Haraghey and Spencer Wood also return this year after posting consistent results last season. Jesse Keefe is new to the A team this year, moving up from the B team following a successful 2022-23 season and World Championship effort. 

B team nominations include Allie Johnson, who, only in her second season of full-time racing, showed incredible promise last year on the World Cup circuit. Along with Johnson is Saylor O’Brien, who quickly added impressive results among intense competition to her resume. Moving up from the development team is Audrey Crowley, a nod to her impressive accolades and consistent results. 

“We are thrilled to have named such an accomplished Para alpine ski team this season,” said Anouk Patty, U.S. Ski & Snowboard's Chief of Sport.  “This team plays an integral role in our organization and we are excited to see what these amazing athletes can achieve this season.” 

The U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team is led by Para Sport Director Erik Leirfallom and new U.S. Para Alpine Ski Head Coach Ryan Pearl. Pearl comes to U.S. Ski & Snowboard from the Australian Para Alpine Team, bringing the team to two Paralympic Winter Games and was named the 2019 Australian Paralympic Coach of the Year.

“We are extremely excited to continue building off of the successful season we had last year and to implement new resources to help these athletes achieve more big results,” said Leirfallom. “With a combination of great young talent and seasoned Paralympians on this team, we know they will be able to pass on their knowledge and skills to the next generation as we grow and build under U.S. Ski & Snowboard.” 

The 2023-24 FIS Para Alpine Ski World Cup season is set to kick off with downhill races for the men and women in St. Moritz in mid-December. The team will make additional stops in Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Japan and Slovakia throughout the season. You can find the finalized FIS World Cup schedule here.

2023-24 U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team

(Hometown; Club; Birthdate)

A Team

Women

Laurie Stephens (Wenham, MA; 3/5/1984)

Men

Andrew Haraghey (Enfield, CT; National Ability Center; 12/16/1995)

Andrew Kurka (Palmer, AK; Alyeska Ski Club; 1/27/1992)

Jesse Keefe (Sun Valley, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 3/26/2004)

Thomas Walsh (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 1/30/1995)

Spencer Wood (Pittsfield, VT; National Sports Center for the Disabled; 1/17/1997)

B Team

Women

Allie Johnson (Chicago, IL; National Sports Center for the Disabled; 12/23/1994)

Saylor O’Brien (Woodland, UT; National Ability Center; 4/28/2003)

Audrey Crowley (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/1/2007)

Men

Matthew Brewer (Huntington Beach, CA; National Ability Center; 5/8/1975)

Connor Hogan (Foxborough, MA; National Sports Center for the Disabled; 6/6/1997)

Ravi Drugan (Eugene, OR; Oregon Adaptive Sports; 12/19/1989)

Patrick Halgren (Tolland, CT; National Sports Center for the Disabled; 6/24/1992)

FOLLOW THE U.S. PARA ALPINE SKI TEAM

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