‘This was a tough decision for us, but we spoke at length with Eileen, her Mom and her coaches and it was clear immediately that we had a chance to help make an incredible young athlete’s dreams come true,” said Luke Bodensteiner, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Chief of Sport. “Eileen is extremely proud of her Chinese heritage and the chance for her to promote the sport she loves among young people, especially girls, in the home of her mom, in what will be a home Olympic Games for Eileen, is something we will continue to support her in. We’re very grateful to Eileen for thanking U.S. Ski & Snowboard for the role we played in helping her dream come true and we wish her the best of luck in all her endeavors.’

Following the conclusion of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Council Meetings, the 2019-20 competition calendar for all ski and snowboard sports that fall under the jurisdiction of FIS has been announced. For U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in America, this means that the following event dates are now confirmed:

ALPINE
First up is the HomeLight Killington Cup, taking place November 30-December 1, 2019, Thanksgiving weekend in Killington, Vt., and once again bringing the best women’s technical alpine skiers in the world together with entertaining concerts, movie screenings and more. This will mark the fourth year Killington has hosted the World Cup, and with spectator numbers peaking at 40,000 last year, “The Beast of the East” has been solidified as the perfect venue for World Cup alpine ski racing to continue on the East coast.

The following weekend, the event ranked as the number one overall stop on the World Cup tour by the athletes and coaches, the Xfinity Birds of Prey FIS Ski World Cup at Beaver Creek, Colo., where super-G, downhill, and giant slalom races are scheduled for December 6-8, 2019. The festivities of the week celebrate “Where Winter Begins” in North America and include live music, beer tastings, ski films, parties, sponsor activation and much more in the heart of Beaver Creek Village on what is dubbed “Birds of Prey Way.”

CROSS COUNTRY
A major highlight of the FIS Cross Country World Cup season on American soil will be the Fastenal Parallel 45 Winter Festival, taking place over four days in March 2020 in Minneapolis, Minn., including a music festival, extreme spectator events, panel discussions, and culminating with the first FIS Cross Country World Cup event held in the U.S. in 19 years. The event, a freestyle sprint on Tuesday, March 17 will also be included in a mini-sprint tour combined with Quebec City the previous weekend, and is expected to attract tens of thousands of fans to support the U.S. Cross Country Team whose reputation continues to grow since Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall’s historic first Olympic cross country gold medal in South Korea in February 2018.

FREESKI & SNOWBOARD
Freeski and snowboard athletes from around the world will unite to kick off the FIS World Cup halfpipe season at Copper Mountain, Colo., December 11-14. The 2019 U.S. Grand Prix at Copper will mark eleven years of collaboration hosting events between U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Copper Mountain. In addition, skiers and riders will head to Mammoth Mountain, Calif., an official training site of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, from January 29-February 1 to compete in slopestyle and halfpipe World Cup competition in Mammoth’s acclaimed Unbound Terrain Park. Additionally, a major freeski and snowboard World Cup event will be added to the U.S. calendar in the coming weeks as details are solidified.

FREESTYLE
The Intermountain Healthcare Freestyle International at Deer Valley Resort in Utah will take place February 6-8, 2020, marking 20 years of elite freestyle competition for the lauded freestyle skiing World Cup stop, a favorite among athletes and spectators. Three nights of competition, including moguls, aerials and dual moguls, will take place under the lights at night as thousands of fans gather beneath the competition venues.

“Fans of ski and snowboard sports have a lot to look forward to in the coming season, especially here in the US,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “We have the Cross Country World Cup coming back to America for the first time in nearly 20 years with the event in Minneapolis in March. That is going to be an awesome event, giving Jessie Diggins, Sophie Caldwell, Sadie Bjornsen and their teammates the opportunity to race at World Cup level on home soil for the first time in their careers, in front of thousands of people.

"The calendar also confirms the dates of the Killington World Cup alpine event, Mikaela Shiffrin’s home race and the best-attended race on the women’s World Cup calendar, and the mighty Beaver Creek Birds of Prey World Cup, one of the greatest tests for the men in their alpine season," Shaw added. "Also, the freestyle night events at Deer Valley will be taking place in what is now firmly established as the showcase for moguls and aerials competition worldwide. Finally, we have more news to come about a very exciting event our team is working on for freeski and snowboard athletes. Stay tuned for more details on that. Overall, we have so much to look forward to - bring on the winter!"

CAVTAT, Croatia – The International Ski Federation (FIS) has honored longtime U.S. Ski & Snowboard communications professional Tom Kelly with its FIS Journalist Award. Kelly was recognized for his longstanding role in the sport as a spokesperson for U.S. athletes and leadership with the FIS Public Relations and Mass Media Committee.

Kelly, who retired from his role as FIS PR and Mass Media chairman a year ago, was recognized during the annual meeting of the federation in Croatia. Kelly was nominated for the award by the FIS committee directly and wins the FIS Journalist Award not only for his enthusiasm in promoting ski sport and 32 years of service within U.S. Ski & Snowboard but also for 14 years of strong and visionary leadership within the Committee. Kelly stepped down from his committee role and was named an honorary member by the FIS Council.

Last month Kelly was inducted into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. In his role with FIS, Kelly had long been an advocate for the award to recognize journalists and broadcasters for their work in telling the story of the sport. He is the 19th American recipient of the award, which dates back to 1996.

“This was quite an unexpected recognition and very much appreciated,” said Kelly. “I take great pride in the role I have been able to play with FIS through the PR and Mass Media Committee.”

The award is presented each year by FIS to journalists and broadcasters around the world. The American recipients are a who’s who of writers, photographers, producers and broadcasters who have worked to bring stories of the sport to the public.

While retired from his role at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Kelly remains active in Olympic sport as a communications consultant and public speaker.

FIS JOURNALIST AWARD
U.S. Recipients

2018 – Tom Kelly, U.S. Ski & Snowboard (presented in May 2019)
2017 – Christin Cooper, NBC (presented in Mar. 2018)
2016 – Peter Graves, Sports broadcaster and announcer
2015 – Steve Porino, NBC
2014 – John Dakin, Vail Valley Foundation (presented in Feb. 2015)
2013 – John Meyer, Denver Post
2012 – Jonathan Selkowitz, Photographer
2011 – Tim Ryan, NBC
2010 – Hank McKee, Ski Racing
2010 – Paul Robbins, Freelance Journalist
2008 – Mike Clark, Associated Press
2007 – Gary Black, Ski Racing
2002 – Peter Diamond, NBC
2002 – Joe Jay Jalbert, Jalbert Productions
2001 – Anita Verschoth, Sports Illustrated
1999 – Charlie Meyers, Denver Post
1998 – John Fry, Ski Magazine
1997 – Bob Beattie, ABC/ESPN
1996 – William Oscar Johnson, Sports Illustrated

U.S. Ski & Snowboard will host its 53rd annual New York Gold Medal Gala at the Ziegfield Ballroom in New York City on October 24, 2019. Prepare to be inspired by the Olympic and World Championship sports stars who will descend on New York City for this spectacular event.

The New York Gold Medal Gala is expected to raise nearly $2 million which will directly benefit benefit American ski and snowboard athletes’ journeys to Olympic and World Cup podiums. The Gala’s storied history began in 1967 as the Ski Ball, which sought to benefit alpine athletes on the U.S. Ski Team. Today the tradition continues as a celebration of all of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s ski and snowboard athletes, including some of the biggest names in sport. It has become a staple of the New York City social philanthropic scene and provides a grand send-off for athletes before the start of the winter competition season.

For more information about the New York Gold Medal Gala, please contact U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Tom Webb at tom.webb@usskiandsnowboard.org.

For ticket purchase and auction information, please click here.

To stay up to date on the New York Gold Medal Gala happenings, search #NYGoldMedalGala on social media.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the U.S., wrapped a highly successful 2019 iteration of its annual Congress with a Board of Directors meeting in which Kipp Nelson formally assumed the position of Chair of the Board of Directors, a position his predecessor, Dexter Paine, had held since 2006.

Nelson, a long-time supporter of U.S. Ski & Snowboard and a former University of Colorado ski racer himself, succeeded Paine after a six month transition period that helped facilitate the transfer of roles and responsibilities of the two Board members. Nelson has served nine years on the Board of Directors and has played an active role on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board of Trustees since 2005.

Paine now takes the title of Honorary Chairman of U.S. Ski & Snowboard and continues as a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board member, a role he has had for 17 years. In addition, he continues as an International Ski Federation (FIS) Council Member, a position he has held since 2014 and to which he was re-elected at the FIS Congress in May 2018.

“It’s such an honor to succeed Dexter Paine who has been a wonderful Chair for U.S. Ski & Snowboard,” said Nelson. “His are very big shoes to fill but I am excited about taking on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Our organization is stronger than it has ever been, we have some of the world’s best athletes on our roster, we have world-class events here in the U.S. and we have young talent coming through who truly stand on the shoulder of giants. Against that, there are challenges facing Olympic sport, but I am looking forward to working with the hugely talented team we have at U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

“I am excited to continue the focus on our teams and athletes," Nelson continued. "We gathered a lot of input over the last few months and especially at Congress. There is nothing more important than our athletes and supporting them, and I am proud of the increase in athlete travel funding that has been generated this year which does exactly that. With more than a $1 million increase in athlete travel support, we have moved the needle a lot and will keep striving to solve challenges and capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead.”

“I have enjoyed every second of my time as Chair but the time has come to pass on this wonderful responsibility to Kipp,” commented Paine. “To sign off as Chair at Congress is the perfect way to bring my tenure in that position to an end. I will continue to serve our athletes, clubs, members, and supporters as a Board member, and I am looking forward to seeing how Kipp, Tiger [Shaw, U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO] and the whole U.S. Ski & Snowboard team continue to build on our historical athletic success”

The Board of Directors has a variety of committees and subcommittees that serve the various needs of U.S. Ski & Snowboard which represents nearly 200 elite athletes competing across seven different winter sports, which stages over 35 domestic events each year, has nearly 500 member clubs and over 36,000 members and which is integrally involved in the development of future winter sports champions through grassroots programs across the USA.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the National Governing Body (NGB) of Olympic ski and snowboard sports in the USA, announced today a new partnership with HomeLight, the San Francisco-based real estate technology company.

“We are thrilled to welcome HomeLight into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard family,” said Tiger Shaw, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s President and CEO. “We know that the team we choose matters more than anything, and so does HomeLight. HomeLight’s entire company is focused on identifying and working with the best teams in order to achieve the best possible results for customers during one of life’s most important moments, buying or selling their home. It’s a natural fit.”

HomeLight will be the title sponsor for the Ladies’ FIS Ski World Cup at Killington, the HomeLight Killington Cup. This event will be the only domestic stop on the World Cup tour for the women of the U.S. Ski Team, including two-time Olympic gold medalist and global superstar Mikaela Shiffrin. The highly anticipated event draws over 40,000 spectators over three days annually, and for many fans, the event signals the beginning of the ski season.

HomeLight will also be an associate sponsor of the Xfinity Birds of Prey FIS Ski World Cup at Beaver Creek and the FIS COOP Cross Country World Cup event in Minneapolis, part of the 2020 Fastenal Parallel 45. The Cross Country World Cup event will be the first time since 2001 that cross country skiing has been competed at the World Cup level on American soil, and for many U.S. Cross Country skiers, including Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins, will be the first time they ski a World Cup race on home snow.

Additionally, these events will serve as the platform for the “HomeLight Scoring and Speed Insight,” a feature in each telecast, viewed by millions of fans watching at home, that will highlight not only how these events are scored but also the importance of speed in landing podiums.

“We’re proud to support athletes who are pursuing their dreams on the slopes, ramps, half-pipes, and cross-country tracks, and particularly as the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team brings World Cup events home to the U.S.,” said Drew Uher, HomeLight’s CEO. “It takes skill, dedication, preparation, and commitment to be the best, and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team is among the best in the world. We can’t imagine a better partner and, just like we do for our real estate clients, we look forward to bringing speed and performance insights to ski and snowboard fans across the country.”

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About HomeLight
HomeLight empowers people to make smarter decisions when buying or selling a home. Since launching in 2010, HomeLight has connected thousands of clients with top local real estate agents, investors and online resources. With offices in San Francisco, Seattle and Phoenix, HomeLight conducts business nationwide. HomeLight is backed by Zeev Ventures, Menlo Ventures, SGVC, Citi Ventures, Bullpen Capital, Crosslink Capital, Montage Ventures, GV, Innovation Endeavors and more. For more information, visit www.homelight.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 2019, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. 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.
 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, and its Athlete Advisory Council (AAC) have lent their voices to calls to government officials from across the U.S. NGB community to support the passage of the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (H.R. 835 in the House).

The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act addresses one of the key issues with the global fight against doping, criminalizing doping conspiracies. This will mean that doping fraud perpetrators will finally be able to be indicted and pursued by law enforcement. Additionally, the act also provides for restitution to athletes and others who may have been defrauded by these individuals. Similar acts are already in place in a number of countries, in particular in the European Union, so the successful implementation of the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act will see the U.S. mirror policies already in place, taking the fight to those engaged in doping.

Importantly, criminalizing this behavior will also afford doping fraud whistleblowers the same obstruction protections that are provided to witnesses of other crimes. Given the importance of whistleblowers, including Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, to the global sports community’s awareness and understanding of doping conspiracies, these protections are vital and cannot come soon enough.

“As we saw most recently in Seefeld, Austria, doping continues to be rife in sport around the world and everyone involved in sport at all levels should be doing whatever they can to rid sport of the scourge of doping, as quickly as possible,” said President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard Tiger Shaw. “Securing the passage of the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act is a key step forward in the fight against doping here in the US and we are urging all those in government who have a role in this process to see this as a huge opportunity to take the fight to the dopers, with the full weight of the law and law enforcement community behind us.”

“As an athlete myself, and speaking on behalf of all the athletes represented by the AAC, I can say that the fight against doping is one of the most important topics for NGBs, governments and the entire sports community worldwide today,” added U.S. Ski & Snowboard Athlete Advisory Council Chair Heather McPhie Watanabe.

“What athletes are asking for is simple - to compete against other athletes on a level playing field, knowing they are going into competition where they can showcase the hard work they have put into training and preparation for competition, instead of competing against athletes and scientists who are conspiring to cheat,” McPhie Watanabe added. “If and when the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act comes into force it will not only help clean athletes know that the US government has their back in the fight against doping, but it will also mean that those involved in cheating will know that the penalties for their actions are severe.”

Echoing McPhie Watanabe’s comments was U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Chief of Sport Luke Bodensteiner. “Our athletes want sport to be something that’s safe, fair and fun. Doping does not square up with those values, and our athletes support the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act as a means to reinforce those values and create a strong deterrent to anyone engaged in doping now or considering doping in future. The current anti-doping system is unreliable due to built-in conflicts of interest, and inconsistencies in the application of standards worldwide.  Criminalizing doping fraud will reduce the political aspects that impact today’s anti-doping system and concern our athletes so deeply, and will reinforce sport as something that is aligned with our shared values.”

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 2019, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. 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.