Moguls Raises Heat and Funds, Exceeds Annual Goal
The U.S. Moguls Ski Team brought the heat and raised some serious funds August 18 via “Moguls and Muffins,” a live virtual fundraising event hosted by freestyle legends and fan favorites Trace Worthington and Sean Smith. To date, the team has raised $120,000, exceeding their annual goal of $100,000, and ensuring they are fully funded for the 2020-21 season.
Broadcast via Facebook Live on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard page, Trace and Sean hosted a virtual breakfast, including muffins, that took fans behind the scenes of the team’s summer training at the Spence Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool at Official Training Site Utah Olympic Park. They caught up with several athletes, reminisced about the good ol’ days of freestyle skiing and speculated on what the future holds. Viewers heard from Jesse Andringa, Kai Owens and Nick Page, with walk-by appearances from the rest of the team. Olympic moguls champion and U.S. Ski & Snowboard Athlete Gift Officer Hannah Kearney made a special guest appearance as well.
Being fully funded allows the moguls athletes of the U.S. Ski Team to laser-focus on their training, prep work, and competition. Trace, Sean and Hannah, all U.S. Ski Team alumni, know first-hand what a difference that can make.
“It’s night and day,” said Sean after Trace asked what the impact of being funded as an athlete really means. “The money we’re raising today, and the really throughout the year, [these athletes] don’t have to worry about [whether or not they are funded], they don’t have to worry about money because they get to go and just train, lift, eat properly (like these muffins Chef Steve is making) and really just put forth what they have to do to be Best in the World.”
“The funding is absolutely crucial,” Hannah explained. “Every single one of these athletes’ competitors has government funding from their countries…We’re up against that hurdle. The only way these athletes can train to that level and compete against their peers is through donations from the public. ”
This year would have marked the Third Annual U.S. Moguls Team Fundraiser, graciously hosted by moguls superfans Jim and Jeffy Benedict at their home in Colorado. However, due to the impacts of COVID-19 on travel and gathering, and with the health and safety of its athletes and supporters top of mind, U.S. Ski & Snowboard has moved its fundraising efforts to virtual experiences. “Moguls and Muffins” was created to cap off the team’s annual fundraising season as a way to engage with their supporters and fans, and have a little fun along the way.
The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation works to raise $12 million annually for U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s athletic programs. U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes receive no direct government funding and rely on the generous support of fans, donors, trustees and corporations to fund their Olympic dreams. The Moguls fundraiser is one fundraising program that enables the freestyle community of donors to support the sport they are most passionate about. Since implementing sport specific fundraisers, the Foundation has seen an increase in revenue to be able to fully fund specific teams. All funds raised directly impact the Moguls Team and anything raised in excess of the goal will either help fill in unforseen gaps this season, or roll over to the 2021-22 season.
To support the U.S. Moguls Ski Team, please click here for more information.
