Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team Fundraiser Reaches Record High
On the tail-end of a long and productive week of on-hill training at the U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at Copper Mountain and off-hill responsibilities, including media and sponsor activities - featuring the Spyder uniforming unveiling, Team autograph signing, and more - the alpine team held their annual fundraiser in Vail, raising a record of nearly $200,000.
Every year, athletes use this fall fundraiser as a means to raise funding to defray travel costs. Once again, Randy and Heather Viola and Chalie and Ariane Viola have generously hosted at Yama, providing sushi for the athletes and supporters. This year, there was a record crowd, filling the space with good energy and great conversation.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO, Tiger Shaw, thanked attendees for their support, followed by alpine athlete Thomas Biesemeyer, who took the lead from the athletes' side to organize the fundraiser. Thomas introduced teammates Olympian and Junior World Downhill Champion Alice Merryweather and local Vail Valley double Junior World Champion River Radamus, who each shared powerful storytelling about their careers with the crowd.
Attendees were encouraged to give a donation, while those who were unable to physically attend had the option to donate online and/or bid on unique auction items, including double Olympic champion and five-time World Champion Mikaela Shiffrin's historic gold medal-winning Spyder slalom suit as well as two pairs of her signature Oakley goggles. Through donations and the silent auction, the Team had a record year, raising nearly $200,000. These gifts have a direct impact on our mission of supporting athletes in achieving excellence and becoming Best in the World.
The Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team will finish up their final prep period camp at Copper Mountain, with tech athletes traveling to Levi, Finland for the FIS Ski World Cup slalom kickoff on Nov. 23-24 followed by Killington, Vt., while the speed teams put the final touches on their downhill and super-G skiing as they prepare for North American tour in Lake Louise, Canada and Beaver Creek, Colo.
The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation is the non-profit fundraising arm of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. To support our athletes on their quest to become the Best in the World, please click the donation button below.
