Greetings Eastern Region! 

Save the date for our Fall 2025 Committee Meetings

When: 
October 17th & 18th, 2025

Where:
Lake Placid Olympic and Para-olympic Training Center and virtual on ZOOM

Schedule of events: 

October 17th, 2025

• 9am-12pm: Eastern Development committee meeting (EDC) 
• 1pm-4pm: Eastern Children's committee meeting  (ECC) 

Saturday October 18th, 2025

• 9am-12pm: Eastern Alpine competition committee (EACC) Fall meeting OPTC Adirondack Room

Sincerely,
Martin, Spencer, Roger, Dani

Martin Guyer
Eastern Regional Alpine Director

Please reach out directly for virtual meeting links

Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team’s Cody Winters has steadily risen through the ranks of international competition on the FIS World Cup circuit in both snowboard cross and alpine snowboard disciplines. The Steamboat Springs native made his Olympic debut at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in the men’s parallel giant slalom and has his eyes set on making history in 2026 by becoming the first American to compete in both alpine snowboard and snowboard cross disciplines in one Olympic Winter Games.

The 2024-25 season was the strongest of Winter’s career thus far, earning his first World Cup podium in both parallel slalom and snowboard cross events only a few weeks apart. At the 2025 FIS Freestyle Ski & Snowboard World Championships in Engadin, Switzerland, Winters delivered solid individual performances in both disciplines, placing fifth in parallel giant slalom and advancing through the snowboard cross qualification rounds.

Winters’ is the latest athlete featured in U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s “On the Rise” series, presented by Zions Bank. Through community service, sponsorships and charitable donations, Zions Bank is committed to fueling economic growth and enhancing quality of life in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

We caught up with Winters to dive into his background, reflect on a season of milestones, and look ahead to his goals for 2025-26.

Q: What initially drew you to the sport?
CODY WINTERS: Family, snowboarding started out as a family adventure for me. My dad and brother are the ones who taught me to do it. It’s how we spent our winter weekends as a family.

Q: When you were younger and getting into the sport, what were your goals?
CW: My only goal was to be better than my older brother 😂 still working on that one and he retired 7 years ago. 

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment?
CW: Getting a podium in and two different disciplines within a month of each other. 

Q: What is your ultimate goal?
CW: To be a true professional snowboarder and make a living off of my true passion 

Q: Who are your heroes? Both in & out of the sport.
CW: Inside the sport of snowboarding, I draw inspiration across all the different disciplines. Some of my heroes include Jeremy Jones, Terii Hawkinson, Danny Davis. Benjamin Carl, and Eliot GrondIn. Outside of the sport, some of my heroes include Kobe Bryant, David Goggins, & the Dwane the Rock Johnson.

Questions sponsored by Zion's Bank.

Q: You win $5,000 in prize money: What do you do with it?
CW: I invest it all  back into snowboarding from buying flights paying for hotels, ski passes and hiring a coach. I can make $5000 move pretty quick.

Q: Do you budget or follow any structure related to spending?
CW: No but I want to start, one of my new years resolutions was too have better organization of my spending. 

Q: What’s one money habit you follow?
CW: "Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” - Benjamin Franklin ... and "Don't spend money you don't have"

Keep up with Cody on Instagram HERE!

The best freestyle aerial skiers in the U.S. will battle it out at the 2025 U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave at the Utah Olympic Park on Aug. 23rd.

The competition will take place at the UOP water ramps, where freestyle athletes learn to progress their skills in the warmer months to prepare for on-snow training. 

The free event, running from 12:45 pm-5 pm on Aug. 23rd, will feature the majority of the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athletes, including Olympic gold medalists Chris Lillis and Justin Schoenefeld, along with 2025 world champions Kaila Kuhn and Quinn Dehlinger. 

Qualification begins at 12:45 pm, where the top 12 finishers for men and women will advance. Finals are set to begin at 4:10 pm. 

Following the FIS event will be the Flying Ace Allstars show on the water ramps - a unique opportunity to watch the U.S. athletes showcase world-class tricks to the public, in a thrilling show format. Come to the U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave competition and stay for the Flying Ace Allstars! 

Tickets are required to attend the Flying Ace show. More information on the U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave competition and the Flying Ace show can be found on FIS and the UOP.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard and USPA to offer High Quality Flexible Education to U.S. Ski & Snowboard Athletes

Elkins, N.H. – US Performance Academy is thrilled to announce that it has become an Official Online Academic Partner of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding.

"Our athletes spend a lot of time on travel and competition,” said Trisha Worthington, Chief Revenue & Philanthropy Officer at U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “USPA's high quality, rigorous and flexible education aligns perfectly with their needs. In addition to USPA’s excellent education, this partnership offers our members exclusive discounts on tuition, collegiate eligibility guidance, and lifetime college counselling.”

USPA will offer online seminars to U.S. Ski & Snowboard members and attend select U.S. Ski & Snowboard events to provide in-person expert guidance from Family Advisors.

“USPA is thrilled to partner with U.S. Ski & Snowboard. We have many junior skiers and snowboarders that currently attend USPA, and we know that our flexibility and custom support are a great benefit to competitive skiers and snowboarders. At USPA, school goes wherever your travel schedule goes, and our accredited program and experienced learning coaches ensure student athletes don’t have to choose between pursuing their dreams and pursuing their education,” said Aileen Hawkins, CEO of Inspired Online Schools USA.

USPA Elite’s unique online learning model empowers motivated student-athletes to train, travel, and compete at the highest levels in their chosen sport. Unlike other online schools, USPA is fully accredited and NCAA approved. It offers flexible school schedules, academic calendars, and a comprehensive support system for students in grades 6-12. Through this partnership, young athletes can pursue their goals in sport without compromising their education.

To learn more about USPA, visit www.gouspa.org/USSS.

Register for a virtual Open House or Connect with a USPA Family Advisor.

Follow USPA on social media:
Instagram: @usperformanceacademy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USPerformanceAcademy

Media Contact: Esther Clark, esther.clark@inspiredonlineschools.com

About US Performance Academy
USPA Live is open for enrollment with online classes starting August 2025, beginning with grades 6-10. USPA Elite is open for enrolment for middle and high school athletes and performers in grades 6-12. Through a comprehensive educational support program, USPA's teachers, learning coaches, counselors, and coaches create a community where online education and performance intersect with a human connection. For more information, visit: www.gouspa.org

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Started in 1905, the organization now represents nearly 240 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, freeski, nordic combined, ski jumping, Para alpine and Para snowboard. In addition to the 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

Prep Period Conditioning!

Our inaugural East “RDP” Conditioning Project this week was awesome! Big thanks to:

• GMVS for hosting, housing us, letting us use their high performance facilities

• BMA Coach Brennan Smith for coming and helping support the project

• Burke, GMVS, Waterville Valley, and Bretton Woods for letting us steal (and support!) a few of our region’s top male and female athletes for a few days

• The ATHLETES!!! for attending, putting in the effort, and asking fantastic questions and soaking it all in!

• Barbara Ann Cochran (Olympic Gold medalist!) for an awesome sport psychology session - such incredible, authentic perspective!

• Paula Moltzan for leading by example, putting in the work! … and also pointing us to a killer hike on a beautiful Vermont day!

• Professor Ryan Cochran Seigle for sharing his experience through an honest, organic conversation with these promising development athletes

Short, sweet, local. In three days we got a lot done with a group of young up and coming Eastern men and women from YOB 2006 through 2009. Fitness testing, volleyball, trunk and mobility, gorgeous and intense Green Mountain hiking, sport psychology, weight lifting education and application, force plate testing, and interactive, personal conversation with Olympic and World Cup wisdom.

Our East staff collaborated to organize this project and make it happen “on the ground”.

Whether you are part of one of our regional high performance centers or a grass roots program, take from this summary what you will, but in general I (RK) encourage the following:

• We have a LOT to offer within our region.

• Enjoy and make the most of your time ON snow. Volume on two planks on white frozen crystals of H20 adds value. And is FUN!!!

• Enjoy and make the most of your time OFF the snow. Attention to fitness and athleticism in the gym and in other sports helps you build a foundation for success ON SNOW. It helps not only physically, but also mentally. When you do the work, when you are prepared (with your conditioning, your tuning, your nutrition, your sleep, etc.), it builds your confidence and helps you face the variables that are outside your control. Apply it to what you love (skiing) and it will become intuition for life in other contexts.

Keep making the most of your summer months!

Cheers,

Roger, Martin, Daniel and Spencer

Stifel U.S. Ski Team alpine skier Hunter Salani is making his mark on the professional circuit. A Colorado native and standout from Ski & Snowboard Club Vail, Salani had a breakout 2024-25 season with the national team, highlighted by a bronze medal in the Team Combined event at the FIS Junior World Ski Championships.

A rising star in multiple disciplines, Salani continues to push the limits of his potential. This fall, he will take the next step in his journey both academically and athletically, enrolling at the University of Colorado Boulder and joining the CU Buffs ski team.

Salani is the latest athlete featured in U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s “On the Rise” series, presented by Zions Bank. Through community service, sponsorships and charitable donations, Zions Bank is committed to fueling economic growth and enhancing quality of life in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

We caught up with Salani to dive into his background, reflect on a season of milestones, and look ahead to his goals for 2025-26.

Q: What initially drew you to this sport?
HUNTER SALANI: During my first couple of years at the ski club, we would freeski in the mornings and begin to train gates in the afternoon. I loved free skiing, but when I would train gates, I fell in love with it. I thoroughly enjoyed skiing around the gates with my small giant slalom skis on and I became obsessed really fast. 

Q: When you were younger and getting into the sport, what were your goals?
HS:  After I realized I was very talented on skis I started to think about goals. When you are young doing a sport you don't think about goals you are just doing it and having fun. When it hit me that I could go places in skiing, I set out goals. A huge goal of mine is to race on the World Cup. The World Cup is the pinnacle of ski racing and to compete would be amazing.

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment?
HS: My biggest accomplishment came last year at the Junior World Championships. During the super-G and slalom combine Stanley Buzek and I earned bronze. This was such an amazing experience and to do it with my teammate Stanley was special. 

Q: What is your ultimate goal?
HS: My ultimate goal is to win World Cups. Aside from that, I would love to grow the sport and be a good mentor to the next generation. I looked up to ski racers when I was young and they were a huge part in my success. I want to be the person young skiers look up to and get inspired to race. 

Q: Who are your heroes?
HS: My heroes are Anthony Edwards and Bode Miller. Anthony Edwards has the mindset I strive to gain, he wants to be the best and he wants to beat everyone he goes against. He also does not care what other people think - he is just being himself. What  I loved about Bode was he was also fearless when it came to skiing, especially downhill.

Q: You win $5,000 in prize money: What do you do with it?
HS: I would save the money and spend it very carefully. I also have stocks right now so I would probably put some of it into those. 

Q: Do you have a budget or follow a spending structure?
HS: I don't have a budget, but I try to spend my money carefully. Since I am not working right now it is important to not blow through all my money. My grandfather is very good at saving his money and I have learned a lot from him. 

Q: What’s one money habit you follow?

HS: I try not to spend a lot of money on food, especially when it is not necessary. Food can add up very quickly, so I try to eat in when I can.

Follow Hunter on social media here

LOS ANGELES, CA (July 16, 2025) – Noah Elliott, 2018 Paralympic gold medalist, three-time world champion and back-to-back overall and banked slalom Crystal Globe winner, won the 2025 ESPY for “Best Athlete with a Disability” at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California. The ESPY Awards, short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, are often referred to as the ‘Oscars of Sports’ and are an annual award show that honors the best athletes and moments in sports. This is Elliott’s first ESPY win and first nomination. 

Elliott is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, taking home two FIS Para snowboard Crystal Globes, two World Championship medals and a 100% win rate in World Cup banked slalom events. The Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team athlete’s impressive 2024-25 season included eight World Cup podiums and five wins across snowboard cross and banked slalom disciplines, helping him to take home two FIS Crystal Globes, including the overall, marking him as the #1 male Para snowboarder in the world in the LL1 classification. 

Elliott, who had his left leg amputated after a battle with cancer, was first named to the U.S. national team in 2016, just a year after he strapped into a snowboard for the first time after being inspired by the Sochi Paralympics. His talent was evident from the start and he was named to his first Paralympic Team USA in 2018. In the Pyeongchang Paralympic Winter Games, he brought home two medals: gold in banked slalom and bronze in snowboard cross. Less than a year later, Elliott was back on the podium, taking home his first World Championship medals – gold, silver and bronze. Since then, he has earned an additional six World Championship medals and was named to the Paralympic team in 2022.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” said Elliott. “This is such an achievement. To be here representing adaptive sports and Para snowboard community–I couldn’t be more proud.”

Elliott also took a moment to address the adaptive community on ESPN when he was presented his award. “I want you to know that I am a survivor and you can be one too, and there can be a life past cancer or disability,” he said. “Just continue to get out there and put your best foot forward and try to continue to strive to be the best you can be.”

“We are thrilled for Noah’s first ESPY win,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Noah has achieved a great deal in his sport and is a best-in-class athlete on and off the snow. His dedication to Para snowboarding is incredible to watch and I am so proud to have him recognized on this stage of sport.”

Elliott was nominated alongside Para triathlon athlete Grace Norman and Para track and field athletes Ezra Frech and Tatyana McFadden. 

Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete Lindsey Vonn was also nominated, under the category of Best Comeback Athlete. Vonn has four career ESPY wins. 

FIS News

• For Season 2025-26, to be implemented starting with the Base List for Season 2026-27:

  • An 8-point adder will be applied to the calculated penalty of Level 2, 3, and 4 FIS events

  • An athlete’s FIS seed points in SL and GS will be calculated by the average of the best three results in that event

• Additional shin pads are not allowed to be worn inside the boot. To treat medical issues, additional protection pads, as soft padding, can be approved by FIS.

• For season 2025-26, using an Airbag is mandatory in DH and SG at World Cup, Olympic Winter Games, and Europa Cup events. Airbags are strongly recommended in DH and SG at South America Cup, NorAm Cup, Far East Cup, and World Junior Championship events.

• Cut resistant lower-body underwear, rated three stars or higher, are required for all Level 0 and 1 FIS events.

Regional Development Team qualified athletes 2025-26

The following athletes have met the high level criteria to be named to the Regional Development Team for the 2025-26 season.  These athletes will be invited to all regional and most national projects (depending on their age), and they will be eligible to receive 50% funding support for their continued development toward the U.S. Ski Team.

Women - East

Kira Hiebert - 2010 (BMA)

Beatrice May - 2006 (DAR) 

Abby Olson - 2007 (BMA) 

Katie Rowekamp - 2009 (BMA) 

Women - Rocky/Central

Paige Dehart - 2005 (CU)

Men - East

Julian Arthur - 2005 (MID) 

Cameron Blatz - 2009 (SMS)

Troy Boissonneault - 2007 (BMA) 

Tor Borgia- 2007 (WMR) 

Colin Hanna - 2004 (BC) 

Sawyer Reed - 2005 (DAR) 

Harper Sargent - 2006 (BMA) 

Men - Rocky/Central

Adrian Beauregard - 2007 (SSWSC) 

Caman Beauregard - 2007 (SSWSC) 

Stewart Bruce - 2006 (SSCV) 

Carson Hume - 2005 (SSCV) 

Fletcher Hutto - 2007 (AVSC) 

Alex Krupka - 2006 (SSCV) 

Aksel Lindenmeyr - 2005 (APEX) 

Jevin Palmquist - 2007 (SUM) 

Trevor Palmquist - 2009 (SUM)  

Men - West

Finnigan Donley - 2005 (UU) 

Carl Ottosson - 2006 (SBSTA)
 

Eastern Region coaching staff update

I would like to introduce our new Eastern Regional Team Men's coach- Daniel Sanz! 
 daniel.sanz@usskiandsnowboard.org

Dani hails from Spain and has an impressive resume well suited to our Regional & National Development alpine athletic program.  
Most recently Daniel has been 2 seasons with USST WC Men's speed team as assistant coach and lead Strength and conditioning coach. 
He has coached at the U14/U16 club level, coached FIS level athletes with the International Racer Program and was Head Olympic coach for the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee at the Beijing Winter Olympics. 
Daniel holds an MBA in Sports Management from the Universidad Europea - Real Madrid Graduate School;
A Bachelor's Degree in physical activity and sports science and;
A Level 3 ISIA  alpine ski instructor (TD3 Alpine skiing Spanish qualification) certification.

Daniel will be in the East July 20-23 for a (3) day Regional Team conditioning camp hosted by GMVS- Green Mountain Valley school alongside Women's coach Roger Kimball and Regional Alpine Director (me) in attendance. 

Welcome Dani!

Insightful and educational podcast to listen to by Arc City- 
Highly recommend!  (link below)

Dane Spencer, Former World Cup Racer and Coach, on... Everything
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dT64kzb0w9vbyOdYIAg9K?si=9ZjdOJIARUqlC4kNnICLnw

That's all for now. Look for the next late Summer update and news soon. 

Please keep in touch and keep chasing the dream! 

Sincerely,
Martin (Spencer, Roger & Dani)