FTP site with agendas, minutes, etc.: https://media.usskiandsnowboard.org/Athletics/Alpine/Congress-2023/

U16 AND OLDER WORKING GROUP

Random Seeding

U16 Nationals seeded by TRS (random seeding with butterfly), with a separate randomization for SG

This was approved by the working group and will be brought up to the Development Subcommittee

A previously-tabled proposal to eliminate USSS points was removed from the slate

A proposal to seed all regional U16 events (RPS, regional champs, etc.) was narrowly voted down (6-5) and will not be brought to the Development Subcommittee. This could be implemented at the regional level if the regional committees deem it needed/appropriate.

U18 start limits

Proposal one – first-year U18’s have 30 tech starts, plus the existing exceptions. Second-year U18’s have 35 tech starts, plus the existing exceptions.

Proposal two – U18 athletes are limited to 30 starts (plus the existing exceptions), but they will be allowed to finish a series that they start, even if that puts them over 30 total. This would conceivably allow athletes to have up to 33 tech starts (plus the existing exceptions)

Proposal One was voted favorably over Proposal Two. Proposal One was voted favorably over the existing limits of 30 for all U18 athletes (plus exceptions). So Proposal One will be brought to the Development Subcommittee.

There is a proposal that will be considered at the fall FIS meetings (for implementation in the 24-25 season) that would limit U18 starts to 30/40 first/second-year, with no exceptions for NC, NJC, WC, etc.

U14 AND UNDER WORKING GROUP

A clarification to the rules about SG training runs was proposed such that the decision about whether to make the training run a SG freeski instead will be a jury decision, to be made at the TCM and not before. This was passed and will be brought to the Development Subcommittee.

A proposal was made to increase the vertical drop allowed for U10 SL (up to 120) and Kombi (up to 170) to align with U12 vertical drops as a way to alleviate complications for hosts running U10/U12 events. The motion was tabled pending a closer look at vertical distances and the course-setting matrix as a whole.

A proposal was made to make it so that divisions can designate certain U14 and under races as “Open,” and that they’ll be available to others in the region to travel to. In theory, this proposal simplifies and streamlines the existing system. The proposal passed at the working group level and will be passed to the development subcommittee.

COLLEGE WORKING GROUP

There was good discussion about the number of USST athletes who are also engaged with college, either academically or athletically. 55% of the USST men are in college or have graduated, and approximately 65% of the women. USST and college coaches agreed on the need to communicate with each other and with the athletes, and reaffirmed their commitment to get the athletes skiing at their full potential and highest level.

There was some discussion on ways to alleviate the need for PG years, in other words to have athletes be more able to matriculate into college programs directly from high school. There’s an exemption for skiing and hockey to the NCAA “ticking clock” that essentially allows athletes in those sports to start college later and still have four years of eligibility. There was mention of possibly closing that exemption and it will be discussed and investigated further.

There was discussion about collegiate scheduling to help facilitate college athletes access to upper level programming outside of the collegiate ecosystem – specifically NAC and National Team programming.

There was discussion of re-starting the National Collegiate Ski Coaches Association – no action was taken but it will be discussed further with the hope of reestablishing that group.

QUOTAS WORKING GROUP

There was a proposal to make all quotas to divisional and regional championships equal between the genders, as has been done with national events. The proposal was not voted through because of concerns about discrepancies in populations – in some cases there are significantly more girls racing than boys, and vise-versa. There was a new proposal to ask the Eastern Region to calculate their U14 and U16 Champs quotas separately, as is already being done in the other regions, so that the quotas per gender are sure to reflect the populations and performance histories accordingly.

PARK CITY, Utah (May 16, 2023) – The world’s best freestyle mogul skiers will converge on the birthplace of freestyle skiing in America with the addition of moguls and dual moguls FIS World Cups at Waterville Valley Resort, New Hampshire, for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. 

This agreement marks the first FIS Freestyle World Cups Waterville will host. However, the resort is no stranger to World Cup competition, having hosted FIS Alpine World Cup Finals in 1966 and 11 FIS Alpine World Cup races throughout its history. 

Waterville Valley’s history is intertwined with freestyle. The resort opened the first freestyle instruction program in the United States in 1969. In 1970 it organized the first National Open Championships of Freestyle Skiing on the Sunnyside trails. Over the course of decades, it has hosted 16 competitions, including 11 alpine World Cup races, 4 U.S. Freestyle Championships,1 U.S. Alpine Championships, and numerous freeski and snowboard U.S. Revolution Tours.

“I competed in my first sanctioned mogul event at Waterville Valley when I was 8 years old,” said retired two-time Olympic medalist Hannah Kearney. “Instantly, I was instantly hooked on the sport. I spent every weekend over the next eight years training with the exceptional WVBBTS Freestyle Team until I made the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team in 2002. When young athletes watch the best in the world compete in their backyard it provides a source of tangible inspiration to achieve their potential. I hope to return to my roots to cheer them on in person next January!”

The two new Waterville events demonstrate U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s commitment to grow the visibility of its athletes and promotion of its sports through increasing domestic competition opportunities. By showcasing elite World Cup competition on home snow, U.S. Ski & Snowboard hopes to inspire future generations of national freestyle skiing hopefuls.

“We are thrilled to be bringing moguls and dual moguls World Cup competition back to the east coast with Waterville Valley Resort,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “Waterville’s incredible freestyle history and community was a natural choice for another domestic World Cup stop. We can’t wait to celebrate the sport with fans, friends and family at Waterville next January!”

The inaugural event is slated for Jan. 27-28, 2024 on Lower Bobby’s Run. At 246 meters long with a pitch of 28 degrees, the eastern-facing course is world-class and will make for a high level of competition. 

“As an east coast skier who grew up competing at Waterville Valley at 12 years old, I’m incredibly excited to have an east coast World Cup return to the circuit,” said Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team moguls skier Hannah Soar. “I believe that this addition to the schedule will promote mogul skiing on the east coast and bring regional mogul skiers from the area to Waterville and enable them to see a World Cup competition in person. I think this will go a long way in promoting freestyle in the area and continue Waterville’s legacy of being the birthplace of freestyle skiing. I’m looking forward to having a World Cup close to home and hopefully a hometown advantage!”

“Waterville Valley Resort is honored to host the upcoming 2024 and 2025 World Cup and continue our partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard,” said Tim Smith, President and General Manager of Waterville Valley Resort. “Having a World Cup event back in New Hampshire after the resort last hosted a World Cup race in 1991 is extremely exciting. We are thrilled to host this world-class freestyle competition alongside Deer Valley, and we've already begun preparing to deliver an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. The Waterville team looks forward to welcoming the world's top freestyle athletes as we bring together passionate fans and a community of people who share a love for the sport.”  

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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 seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined, and ski jumping. In addition to fully funding 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.

ABOUT WATERVILLE VALLEY RESORT

Waterville Valley is New Hampshire’s Family Resort, offering a vast array of year-round family activities and events. Located in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Waterville Valley is an independent resort offering world class skiing and snowboarding across two mountain peaks, with 265 acres of alpine skiing terrain, premier ski & snowboard schools, and unique guest amenities such as childcare and parking lot ski trails. Enjoy our unique mountain culture at slopeside family-friendly après-ski, kid-approved terrain parks, and annual community events; or explore the White Mountains via alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, hiking or mountain biking! 

*Pending final date confirmation by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

May 12, 2023 - PARK CITY, Utah - U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced its Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team nominations for the 2023-24 competition season. Nominations include those active athletes who qualified based on published selection criteria in the prior season. Twenty-nine aerials and moguls athletes have been nominated to the team. 

“The 29 athletes nominated to the 2023-24 Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team represent the best in the world at freestyle skiing,” said Matt Gnoza, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Director. “We have an awesome mix of accomplished veterans and fresh rookies eager to prove themselves. This crew accomplished a lot last season and I look forward to supporting them to build on the momentum we created. It’s an exciting time for American freestyle skiing!”

The 2023-24 team is highlighted by 2023 World Championships medalists Ashley Caldwell (gold, mixed team aerials), Chris Lillis (gold, mixed team aerials) and Quinn Dehlinger (gold, mixed team aerials; silver, men’s aerials), as well as double 2023 World Championship silver medalist Jaelin Kauf (moguls and dual moguls). 

The 2023-24 FIS Freestyle World Cup calendar is expected to be confirmed by the International Ski Federation (FIS) later this month, but boasts a more robust schedule than the freestyle circuit has seen in years, including two World Cups in the United States: the Intermountain Health Freestyle International at Deer Valley and an additional moguls/dual moguls World Cup. 

Each athlete accepting the nomination to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team receives world-class program support, along with access to the USANA Center of Excellence, as well as athletic benefits including elite coaching, sport science, sports medicine, high performance staff and education opportunities.

An official Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team announcement will be made in the fall.

2023-24 Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Nominations
(Hometown; Club; Birthdate)

MOGULS

A TEAM

Women

• Olivia Giaccio (Redding, CT; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 8/15/00)
• Tess Johnson (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/19/00)
• Jaelin Kauf (Alta, WY; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 9/26/96)
• Elizabeth Lemley (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 1/22/2006) 
• Alli Macuga (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 9/24/03)
• Kai Owens (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 8/16/04)
• Hannah Soar (Somers, CT; Killington Mountain School; 6/4/99)

Men

• Cole McDonald (Park City, UT; Wasatch Freestyle; 3/6/2003)
• Nick Page (Park City, UT; Wasatch Freestyle; 8/1/02)
• Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY.; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/25/93)

D TEAM 

Women

• Kasey Hogg (Park City, UT; Wasatch Freestyle; 1/8/03)
• Sami Worthington (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard/Wasatch Freestyle; 6/15/04)

Men

• Dylan Marcellini (Walnut Creek, CA; Wasatch Freestyle; 9/29/02)
• Charlie Mickel (Durango, CO; Durango Winter Sports Club/Wasatch Freestyle; 7/06/04)
• Asher Michel (Tabernash, CO; Winter Park Competition Center; 12/09/05)*
• Landon Wendler (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Winter Sports Club; 10/12/00)

AERIALS

A TEAM

Women

• Ashley Caldwell (Ashburn, VA; Elite Aerial Development Program; 9/14/93)
• Dani Loeb (Pintlala, AL; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 8/10/01)
• Kaila Kuhn (Boyne City, MI; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 4/8/03)
• Megan Nick (Shelburne, VT; Elite Aerial Development Program; 7/9/96)
• Winter Vinecki (Gaylord, MI; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 12/18/98)

Men

• Quinn Dehlinger (Cincinnati, OH; Elite Aerial Development Program; 6/8/02)
• Chris Lillis (Pittsford, NY; Bristol Mountain Freestyle Team; 10/4/98)
• Justin Schoenefeld (Lawrenceburg, IN; Elite Aerial Development Program; 8/13/98)

D TEAM 

Women

• Karenna Elliott (Cincinnati, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard, 5/24/00)
• Megan Smallhouse (Reno, NV; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 1/16/01)
• Tasia Tanner (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 7/26/02)

Men

• Derek Kreuger (Cleveland, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 6/2/03)
• Conner Curran (Cincinnati, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 9/23/04)*

*First nomination to the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team

FOLLOW THE STIFEL U.S. FREESTYLE SKI TEAM
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May 11, 2023 - PARK CITY, UTAH - U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced the 55 athletes nominated to the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team for the 2023-24 competition season. Nominations include those active athletes who qualified based on the published selection criteria in the prior season.

Joining the nominations list include World Cup standouts like the greatest alpine skier of all-time Mikaela Shiffrin, top seven in the world slalom rank Paula Moltzan, and Olympic silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle. New to the A Team nominations list is Isabella Wright, who had a career best season, finishing top 20 in the women’s downhill rankings. Jared Goldberg is also moving back to the A team after his best season, with a fourth place finish at the Kitzbühel downhill. 

B Team nominations are highlighted by Jett Seymour, who impressed at the Chamonix, France World Cup with a career best seventh place finish in the slalom. Also on the B team is Katie Hensien, moving up from her C Team status the year prior. Hensien posted multiple top-30 finishes on the World Cup tech circuit. Tricia Mangan returns to team status after a strong season on the women's speed World Cup circuit. Plus, Sam Morse, George Steffey and Sam DuPratt make their return to official team status on the B Team after strong results the season prior: Morse scored a career best top 10 finish in the Val Gardena World Cup downhill; DuPratt won the NorAm Overall super-G title; and Steffey scored his first World Cup points in giant slalom.

Mary Bocock, Elisabeth Bocock and Dasha Romanov are making moves up to the C Team. Mary Bocock coming off her NorAm Overall winning season. Stella Johansson will also join the C Team nominations list after strong Europa Cup results.

The men’s and women’s Development Team shows a lot of fresh faces. Seven new men and three new women are nominated to the team.

“This list of nominations shows strong skiers across all disciplines,” commented Alpine Director Patrick Riml. “We have already seen the potential that these athletes have in our spring camps across Mammoth, Norway and Palisades Tahoe. We are excited to see the progress this summer.”

The 2023-24 Audi FIS Alpine World Cup season is scheduled to kick off for the men and women with a pair of giant slalom races in Soelden, Austria in October.

The official Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team announcement will be made in the fall.

2023-24 U.S. Alpine Ski Team Nominations

(Hometown; Club; Birthdate)

A TEAM

Women

• Breezy Johnson (Jackson Hole, WY; Rowmark Ski Academy; 1/19/1996)
• Paula Moltzan (Prior Lake, MN; Buck Hill Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/University of Vermont; 4/7/1994)
• Nina O’Brien (Edwards, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Team Palisades Tahoe; 11/29/1997)
• Mikaela Shiffrin (Edwards, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/13/1995)
• Isabella Wright (Salt Lake City, UT; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation; 2/10/1997)

 Men

• Bryce Bennett (Olympic Valley, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 7/14/1992)
• Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT; Cochran’s/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club; 3/27/1992)
• Tommy Ford (Bend, OR; Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation; 3/20/1989)
• Jared Goldberg (Holladay, UT; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation; 6/15/1991)
• River Radamus (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 2/12/1998)                    

B TEAM

Women

• Keely Cashman (Strawberry, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 4/4/1999)
• Katie Hensien (Redmond, WA; Rowmark Ski Academy; 12/1/1999)
• AJ Hurt (Carnelian Bay, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 12/5/2000)
• Tricia Mangan (Buffalo, NY; Holimont Race Team/Dartmouth; 3/7/1997)
• Alice Merryweather (Hingham, MA; Attitash Race Team/Stratton Mountain School; 10/5/1996)
• Jacqueline Wiles (Aurora, OR; White Pass Ski Club; 7/13/1992)

 Men

• Erik Arvidsson (Woodside, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe/Middlebury College; 9/3/1996)
• Sam DuPratt (Park City, UT; Park City Ski Education Foundation; 11/28/1993) 
• Sam Morse (Carrabassett Valley, ME; Carrabassett Valley Academy; 5/27/1996)
• Kyle Negomir (Littleton, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 10/3/1998)
• Jett Seymour (Steamboat, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club/University of Denver Ski Team; 11/5/1998)
• George Steffey (Lyme, NH; Stratton Mountain School; 8/8/1997)
• Luke Winters (Gresham,OR; Sugar Bowl Academy; 4/2/1997)

C TEAM

Women

• Elisabeth Bocock (Salt Lake City, UT; Rowmark Ski Academy; 9/3/2005)
• Mary Bocock (Salt Lake City, UT; Rowmark Ski Academy; 10/3/2003)
• Stella Johansson (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski Club; 09/02/2003) *
• Lauren Macuga (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 7/4/2002)
• Allie Resnick (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 9/1/2001)
• Dasha Romanov (Thornton, CO; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 5/3/2003)
• Ava Sunshine (Edwards, CO; Burke Mountain Academy; 6/20/2002)
• Alix Wilkinson (Mammoth Lakes, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 8/2/2000)
• Zoe Zimmermann (Gilford, NH; Burke Mountain Academy; 5/16/2002)

Men

• Cooper Cornelius (Glenwood Springs, CO; Aspen Valley Ski Club; 6/20/1999)
• Bridger Gile (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski Club/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 10/15/1999)
• Isaiah Nelson (Wayzata, MN; Buck Hill Ski Racing Club; 4/3/2001)
• Camden Palmquist (Eagan, MN; Buck Hill Ski Racing Club/Team Summit Colorado; 4/15/2003)
• Jay Poulter (Bondville, VT; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club/Stratton Mountain School; 7/1/2003)
• Cooper Puckett (Steamboat, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club;3/31/2003)
• Ben Ritchie (Waitsfield, VT; Green Mountain Valley School; 9/5/2000)
• Jack Smith (Sun Valley, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 4/24/2001)

D TEAM

Women

• Tatum Grosdidier (Wenatchee, WA; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, 07/24/2004) *
• Kaitlin Keane (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 11/26/2004)
• Kjersti Moritz (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 11/28/2004)
• Storm Klomhaus (Boulder, CO; Team X Alpine/University of Denver Ski Team; 7/17/1998)
• Liv Moritz (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 11/28/2004) *
• Allison Mollin (Truckee, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 07/07/2004) *
• Emma Resnick (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 7/23/2003)

Men

• Justin Bigatel (Park City, UT; Burke Mountain Academy; 4/29/2003)
• Stanley Buzek (Silverthorne, CO; Team Summit Colorado; 8/18/2005)*
• Finnigan Donley (Anchorage, AK; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 02/28/2005)*
• Roman Elvidge (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 12/08/2005 )*
• Colin Hanna (Sun Valley, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 12/15/2004) *
• John Kerbaugh (Williston, VT; Mt. Mansfield Academy; 11/11/2005) *
• Sawyer Reed (Hingham, MA; Green Mountain Valley School; 7/26/2005)  *
• Hunter Salani (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 02/25/2005) *

 *Newly named to the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team

Follow the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team:

Instagram: @usskiteam

Facebook: @usskiandsnowboard

TikTok: @usskiandsnowboard

Twitter: @usskiteam 

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EARLY BIRD SPECIAL 40% OFF
2024 Hybrid Club Excellence Conference 

Friday, May 17th, 2024 - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday, May 18th, 2024 - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 

We're thrilled to host this dynamic event, catering to both in-person attendees and virtual participants from around the nation. Whether you're joining us onsite or logging in remotely, get ready to dive into a world of practical insights and collaborative opportunities across all disciplines. All registrants will receive recorded sessions following the event. 

COST FOR ATTENDANCE

• $120.00 (originally $200) early bird special until April 26th for in-person attendees.
  • *Includes continental breakfast on both days and lunch at Blair Education Center, and a post- conference reception at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard USANA Center of Excellence on Friday. 
• $48.00 (originally $80) early bird special until April 26th for virtual attendees.

LODGING INFORMATION 

May 9, 2023 - PARK CITY, UTAH - U.S. Ski & Snowboard is proud to announce the 23 athletes who have been nominated to represent the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2023-24 season. The nominations include active athletes who qualified based on predetermined selection criteria.

The team is a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, ready to compete in the upcoming season. The A Team women’s roster will be led by three-time Olympic medalist and 2023 individual World Champion Jessie Diggins, two-time Olympian Rosie Brennan and 2023 World Champs bronze medalist Julia Kern. The men’s A Team includes 2022 Olympian and 2022-23 FIS U23 Green Bib winner Ben Ogden and 2022 Olympian JC Schoonmaker.

Returning to the B Team are 2022 Olympians Gus Schumacher, Luke Jager, Scott Patterson, Sophia Laukli, and 2023 NCAA Champion Novie McCabe. Zak Ketterson rejoins the roster and both Zanden McMullen and Sydney Palmer-Leger move up from the Development Team based on their strong results in the previous season.

The Development Team welcomes several new athletes, along with returning stars, including Sammy Smith, who raced her first World Cup in Drammen, Norway at the end of the 2022-23 season. Walker Hall, Will Koch and Michael Earnhart return to the Development Team roster for the men after a successful 2022-23 season. Five new athletes will be joining the D-Team, including Brian Bushey, Max Kluck, Ava Thurston and Haley Brewster, who represented the USA at the FIS World Junior Ski Championships, along with Derek “Buster” Richardson.

“This past season was an important one for USA cross country ski racing, with the men moving up to sixth in the Nation’s Cup standings and earning the maximum World Cup quota for the first time in our history,” said Chris Grover, the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Program Director. “We also witnessed the USA squad fighting for third in the overall Nation’s Cup going into the last weekend of racing. As we set our sights on the 2023-24 season, we have aspirations of exceeding this past year’s performances by focusing on key strategies in technique, equipment and preparation. We have a young team that is still building valuable experience on the World Cup, and will no doubt turn more heads in the coming years.”

The 2023-24 World Cup calendar is robust and features two new races in North America, including the highly anticipated 2024 Loppet Cup, a Coop FIS Cross Country World Cup in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Supported by the Loppet Foundation and Share Winter, the Loppet Cup will be the first FIS World Cup on U.S. soil since 2001. The 2023-24 FIS Cross Country World Cup calendar will be confirmed by the International Ski Federation later this month.

Each athlete who accepts the nomination to the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team will receive top-of-the-line athletic and medical support, world-class coaching, sport science, sports medicine and access to the USANA Center of Excellence facilities, including on-site high performance staff and education. 

An official Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team announcement will be made in the early fall. 

Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team 

(Hometown; Club/School; Birthdate)

Men

A Team

• Ben Ogden (Burlington, VT; Stratton Mountain School; 2/13/00)
• James "JC" Schoonmaker (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 8/12/00)

B Team

• John Steel Hagenbuch (Ketchum, ID; Dartmouth Ski Team; 10/01/01)
• Luke Jager (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 1/17/00)
• Zak Ketterson (Minneapolis, MN; Team Birkie; 4/02/97)
• Zanden McMullen (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/31/01)
• Scott Patterson (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 1/28/92)
• Gus Schumacher (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Winter Stars; 7/25/00)

Development Team

• Brian Bushey (Montpelier, VT; University of Utah Ski Team; 11/06/02)
• Michael Earnhart (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 8/11/02)
• Walker Hall (Winthrop, WA; Methow Valley Nordic Team, University of Utah Ski Team; 6/11/02)
• Max Kluck (Butte, MT; Bridger Sports Foundation; 9/25/04)
• Will Koch (Peru, VT; Stratton Mountain School; 2/21/02)
• Derek Richardson (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/21/04)

Women

A Team

• Rosie Brennan (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 12/2/88)
• Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN; Stratton Mountain School; 8/26/91)
• Julia Kern (Waltham, MA; Stratton Mountain School; 9/12/97)

B Team

• Sophia Laukli (Yarmouth, ME; Aker-Dæhlie; 6/08/00)
• Novie McCabe (Winthrop, WA; Alaska Pacific University; 12/15/01)
• Sydney Palmer-Leger (Park City, UT; Stratton Mountain School; 2/04/02)

Development Team

• Haley Brewster (Avon, CO; University of Vermont Ski Team; 6/06/03)
• Sammy Smith (Boise, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 9/22/05)
• Ava Thurston (Waterbury, VT; Dartmouth Ski Team; 1/06/04)

Cross Country Coaches and Staff

• Cross Country Program Director: Chris Grover
• Head Coach: Matt Whitcomb                    
• World Cup Coach: Jason Cork                                     
• D Team Coach: Kristen Bourne
• Development Team Coach: Greta Anderson                                                                            
• Cross Country Sport Development Manager: Bryan Fish                       
• Cross Country Sport Coordinator: Adam St. Pierre              
• Cross Country Press Officer: Leann Bentley

Service Staff

• Head of Service: Oleg Ragilo           
• World Cup Service: Bjørn Heimdal    
• World Cup Service: Tim Baucom                         
• World Cup Service: Eli Brown    
• World Cup Service: Chris Hecker
• World Cup Service: Karel Kruuser    

Follow the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Team:
Instagram: @usskiteam
Facebook: @usskiandsnowboard
TikTok: @usskiandsnowboard
Twitter: @usskiteam

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Hunter Wonders, an athlete on the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team has formally announced his retirement from World Cup ski racing. 

Wonders grew up in Alaska, along with several other members of the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. He has always been a skier, whether that's on the skinny skis or on the wider planks in the Alaskan backcountry. When he isn’t training or representing his country on the international ski stage, Wonders loves to bike, hike, backcountry ski and fitting for his last name, hunt. He’s a competitive canoe racer, his nickname is ‘Wonderboy’ and one of his favorite memories was the feeling he had after finishing the first 50k at a spring series race. 

Wonders has been a fixture in the cross country community for years, joining the Alaska Pacific University program as a junior and making the move to the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team in 2020, making his World Cup debut on Jan. 23, 2021 in the 30k skiathlon in Lahti, Finland. He raced in countless races at various levels including National Championships, Nor-Am Cups, U23 World Ski Championships, Youth Olympic Winter Games, World Cups and World Championships. Throughout his years racing, he was no stranger to representing his country on the world's stage. 

His career highlights are endless. In 2018, Wonders was a member of the silver medal-winning 4x5k Junior World Championships men’s relay team and in 2020, was second at the U.S. National Championships in the classic sprint. On the World Cup level, the highest level of the sport, Wonders was in the top-30 consistently, had a career-best 11th place in the 2022-23 Tour de Ski and as the the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Head Coach Matt Whitcomb said, “re-established men’s elite skiing in the U.S. as an international force.”

“While Hunter is retiring from the World Cup at a relatively young age, he made international noise with breakthrough World Cup races this past season,” said Whitcomb. “He is on an expanding, yet still limited list of male athletes who have hit the top-20 in a distance World Cup. This past season, Hunter posted an 11th and a 16th in 10k events. Beyond Hunter’s power value as a skier, I will miss his human side. He is consistently one of the most helpful people I’ve ever met, constantly volunteering for side jobs to help the coaches or his fellow athletes. He’s the guy logging extra hours doing dishes at a team camp, or helping coaches refuel a fleet of vehicles before a travel day. These little things say a lot about a person, and whomever lands him next will be lucky. I have nothing but huge respect and appreciation for Hunter.”

“Hunter burst on the scene as a junior and contributed a critical leg in the men’s silver relay medal at the World Junior Champs in 2018,” said the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Program Director Chris Grover. “As a senior athlete, he steadily climbed the World Cup ranks, securing starts and representing the USA at two World Championships, Oberstdorf and Planica. In the 2022-23 season, Hunter broke through to another level with his first top-20 results, including an 11th place in the 10k classic in Oberstdorf. Hunter has been an incredible teammate and friend and he will be greatly missed in the program, but we are also excited to see where his next adventures take him!”

Off the snow, Wonders is successful in many other ways. Just days ago, he hit another milestone and successfully took his first solo flight in Alaska. Wonders was one of the athletes awarded the Take Flight Textron Aviation U.S. Ski & Snowboard Training Scholarship and is actively working towards his Private Pilot License. When on the road, you could find him studying to become a pilot in-between World Cup races. 

Even though he is taking a step back from World Cup ski racing, we can be sure to see him around the ski trails. Congratulations on your World Cup career, Hunter! 

2014 Olympic bronze medalist Alex Deibold has announced his retirement from competitive snowboardcross.

A native Vermonter, 36-year-old Deibold has been snowboarding since the age of four. He attended Stratton Mountain School with fellow teammate Lindsey Jacobellis, and U.S. Snowboard Team halfpipe alums Danny Davis and Louie Vito.

Deibold was first named to the U.S. Snowboard Team in 2004. He made his first FIS World Cup appearance in Furano, Japan in 2007, and spent the last 17 years competing at the highest levels. Along the way, Deibold found himself on the World Cup podium six times, and represented the United States five times at the World Championships.

His most memorable result came in 2014, at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. After missing the cut for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Team, Deibold still found a way to be a part of the action, joining the team staff as a wax technician. Just four years later, he’d move from the wax room to the start gate, bringing home Team USA’s lone snowboardcross medal in Sochi. He battled it out and walked away with bronze. Reflecting on his experience of going from technician to Olympic medalist, Deibold told Team USA’s Lawrence Murray, “it was grueling work but it was a situation that I’m grateful for. I remembered what it was like to be there, and to stand on the podium…and wrap the flag around myself, all that sacrifice and hard work were more than worth it.”

He had a strong 2021-22 season, ultimately earning a spot on the 2022 Beijing Olympic Team. However, his plans were derailed when he suffered a major crash at the Cortina d’Ampezzo World Cup just five days before the Opening Ceremonies, leaving him in the hospital with a head injury and ultimately unable to join his teammates in Beijing. His teammates felt his absence sharply, and vowed to compete in his honor. Jake Vedder, who traveled to Beijing in Deibold’s place, said at the time, “I’m really trying to represent Alex and his whole family and do the best I can for him. Because this was 100% his spot. He deserved to be here.”

Outside of the start gate, Deibold has always been known for his passion for the environment and the outdoors, his work ethic and his leadership. He has served on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors as an athlete representative since 2021 and was an Athlete Role Model at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games. “Alex has had an incredible career, both on and off the hill,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “His leadership and advocacy for athletes, his teammates and all those involved in the sport is something we will always be grateful for, and all of us at U.S. Ski & Snowboard wish him the best on his well-earned retirement. Congratulations on such an incredible career, Alex!”

His teammates will miss his advice and friendship, both on and off the race course. “Deibold was always a teammate that I knew I could talk to about anything. For myself as a younger athlete coming up, he always brought comfort to our team as one of the more experienced athletes,” said U.S. Snowboard Team athlete Senna Leith. “Whether I was wondering about a line choice on a course, or a career-based question outside of snowboarding, Deibold always had a plethora of knowledge he was willing to share and do so in an extremely friendly manner. It’s hard to find an athlete more professional and well rounded, and I am super thankful for all of the years and great memories on tour that we shared together.”

But don’t expect Deibold to take it easy in retirement. He’s chasing new adventures with Protect Our Winters, a non-profit focusing on legislation regarding climate change and looking forward to spending time on the mountain as a mentor to young snowboarders, and as a father.

“I’m both excited and terrified for the next chapter. I want to explore the mountains at home more, in a way I haven’t been able to while traveling, training, and competing,” said Deibold. “I still love snowboarding as much as ever, and I’m hoping I can try and give back to the community that has shaped my life. I’m grateful to be working for Protect Our Winters, hoping I can support some of our development riders domestically, and stoked to just be a dad and continue to introduce my daughter to the mountains.”

The Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team has announced key staffing changes for the upcoming 2023-24 season across both the men’s and women’s teams. 

“I am really excited about the coaching staff we have now,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport Anouk Patty. “We’ve made key changes bringing in proven, world class coaches that will further our strides towards a high performing culture and drive performance.”

MEN

New to the 2023-24 season, Mark Tilston will be leading the charge as head men’s alpine coach. Tilston has a decorated background in coaching: He coached the national teams for Scotland (Snowsport Scotland) and Britain (GB Snowsport), served as performance director of GB Snowsport, was head coach of the GB Snowsport at the Vancouver Olympics and most recently served as the men’s head coach for Alpine Canada from 2020 to 2023 where his athletes had tremendous success at the Olympics, World Championships and the World Cup circuit.

 In addition to Tilston, Burkhard Schaffer will be heading to the men’s speed team as head coach. Burkhard has been coaching at the highest level for 25 years, leading World Cup speed teams in Austria, Slovenia and Canada. He is no stranger to the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team—he was assistant coach with the women’s U.S. World Cup speed team last season.

“Mark and Burkhard will be excellent additions to the men’s team,” said Riml. “Their history speaks for itself and we are excited to see what success comes to our team with these additions.”

Florian Scheiber will also be joining the speed team as an assistant coach. Scheiber comes with recent World Cup speed experience as a member of the Austrian national team for eight years. He won a Junior World Championship medal in giant slalom, the Europa Cup overall title in 2009 and finished in the top 25 for super-G and downhill World Cup standings in 2013. He most recently served as assistant coach for the Austrian World Cup women’s speed team.

WOMEN

On the women’s World Cup team, there will be a few new additions as well. Rudi Soulard will be joining the women’s World Cup tech team as an assistant coach. Soulard joins the organization with a long list of experience including his most recent stint as the head slalom coach for the French women’s team. In his coaching experience, Soulard saw multiple World Championships medals, Olympic medals and globes. Soulard is not new to the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team, having held the position of head men’s tech coach from 2008 to 2010.

The women’s World Cup speed team will also see new staff. Alex Hoedlmoser will join the team as head women’s World Cup speed coach. Hoedlmoser previously worked with the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team as a coach on the Europa Cup team, the World Cup downhill team, head coach of the women’s program, and assistant coach for Lindsey Vonn from 2017 to the end of Vonn's career.  Hoedlmoser was the U.S. Alpine team's longest-tenured coach before he left last season. He was most recently serving as head coach to the Austrian women’s speed team. 

Daniel Dejori will also be re-joining the women’s speed team as assistant coach, after serving in the role from 2018 through 2022. Dejori most recently served as assistant coach with the Austrian women’s World Cup speed team. 

Previously announced, former Alpine Canada Head Coach Karin Harjo has also taken over as Mikaela Shiffrin’s coach. 

“We have very strong leadership and a tremendous amount of experience on the women’s team,” added Riml. “Together with the existing staff we are in a great position to achieve our goals and build a winning team.”

 A full staff announcement will be released this fall, in tandem with the official Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team announcement.

Moguls officially closed their 2022-23 competitive season with the Snowbird FIS Open with moguls on Friday and dual moguls on Saturday. The events drew participation from the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team, American club-level athletes and international competitors. 

 

 

 

 

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Snowbird’s freestyle history extends back to 1976 when the resort hosted the Professional Freestyle Association’s World Championships. Snowbird has hosted a regional freestyle event annually since 1981, 13 U.S. Freestyle Moguls Selections events, 12 Freestyle Moguls NorAms, three U.S. National Freestyle Moguls Junior Championships and 4 U.S. Championships. The resort is also home to Wasatch Freestyle, which can trace its history back to 1988.

Elizabeth Lemley won Friday’s event, Sami Worthington took second and Abby McLarnon (Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club) took third. Korea’s Daeyoon Jung won the men’s event, Dylan Marcellini took second and Ryan Tam (Olympic Valley Freestyle Team) skied to third.

On Saturday Lulu Shaffer (Park City Ski & Snowboard) dueled it out to beat the field and come in first for dual moguls, McLarnon took second and Worthington came in third. Marcellini beat Jung in the Big Final to come in first. Jung came in second and Jack Petrone (Killington Mountain School) came in third. 

"I never really felt so much emotion before, it was just so rewarding to finally see all of my hard work through my rehab pay off," said Worthington of her first competition back from injury, and as a Stifel U.S. Ski Team member. "These results will give me a lot of confidence and motivation going into the prep season. I know what I am capable of now."

RESULTS
Women’s Moguls
Men’s Moguls
Women’s Dual Moguls
Men’s Dual Moguls