U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced their full support for Dexter Paine in his candidacy for the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) Council. 

As a visionary leader with a deep commitment to skiing and snowboarding and its athletes, Paine has been involved in governance at both the national and international levels for decades. He served as a member of the FIS Council Executive Committee from 2014-22 and has acted as an ex-officio honorary member from 2022 to the present. Throughout his time with FIS, Paine focused on transparency, communication and inclusivity, including championing for female representation on the Council, longer terms for athlete representatives and the inclusivity of Paralympic sports. 

Paine currently serves as a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Board of Directors (2021-present), is on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board (2002-24) and is actively involved in the Salt Lake City 2034 Olympic Winter Games bid. Previously, Paine was Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors (2006-19) and was on U.S. Biathlon’s Board of Directors (2020-24). He has extensive experience in event delivery as an Executive Committee member of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado and the 2019 Freestyle, Freeski & Snowboard World Championships in Park City, Utah. 

Paine is the chairman at Paine Schwartz Partners and has more than 25 years of investment experience and 35 years in the private equity industry. In addition to his professional achievements, Paine is widely respected for his integrity, vision and dedication to the sport. His collaborative approach and strategic mindset have positioned him as a trusted leader within the skiing and snowboarding community.

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors firmly believes that Paine’s extensive experience and unwavering passion make him the ideal person to represent the interests of athletes and federations worldwide, unanimously putting forward his candidacy. 

"Dexter Paine's dedication to the advancement of skiing and snowboarding is unparalleled,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President & CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “His leadership has consistently propelled our sports forward, and we know he will bring that same level of commitment and expertise to the FIS Council. We are proud to endorse Dexter and are confident in his ability to advocate effectively for the interests of athletes and federations around the world."

Gene Sykes, Chairman of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, also voiced his support. "As an organization committed to supporting American athletes on the global stage, we recognize the importance of strong leadership within international federations,” said Sykes.
“Dexter’s proven track record of leadership and advocacy aligns perfectly with the values of the Olympic movement. We fully endorse Dexter's candidacy for the FIS Council and believe he will be an outstanding representative for skiing and snowboarding on the international level."

Olympic champion Kikkan Randall, who has served on the IOC Board, USOPC Board and FIS Council, echoed the sentiments: “Dexter has been an incredible leader and advocate for skiing and snowboarding across all levels. He understands the complex needs of all stakeholders and has always championed the athletes' voices in the process. He brings a wealth of experience, tremendous passion and dedication to making sport fair, safe and positioned for growth. Dexter is well respected across the sports universe and has been an excellent collaborator between organizations. I am proud to endorse Dexter’s candidacy.”

The election for the FIS Council takes place at FIS Congress on June 5, 2024. 

Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team’s Brooklyn DePriest won the gold medal and Rebecca Flynn bronze at the 2024 FIS Slopestyle and Big Air Junior World Championships in Livigno/Mottolino, Italy.

Officials were forced to run the second two heats of men’s slopestyle qualifications immediately before finals due to gusty winds on Monday. It was a busy day for DePriest, who had to first qualify to join Ski & Snowboard Club Vail’s Caleb Dhawornvej in the slopestyle final. Dhawornvej qualified from heat one on Monday before the event was postponed.

DePriest sat in fourth overall after an impressive qualifying performance, but kicked into another gear in the round of finals, putting up a massive score of 91.00 on his first run that ultimately won him the slopestyle title at the 2026 Olympic venue. DePriest was the only competitor of the day to crack into the 90s. Dhawornvej finished 15th overall.

Traveling straight from Silvaplana after qualifying for her first World Cup final, Flynn continued to show her young potential, finishing third overall on the women’s side of slopestyle competition to clinch the bronze medal. Ski & Snowboard Club Vail’s Lily Dhawornvej put down an impressive performance of her own, finishing fifth overall.

The squad shifts its focus to big air competition at Junior Worlds, with both men’s and women’s qualifications slated for Thursday, March 28.

RESULTS
Women's slopestyle
Men's slopestyle 

After a disappointing first round of finals on Saturday, the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Cross Team took to the Mt. St. Anne course looking for redemption in the final World Cup of the season. With perfect conditions, a well-designed course and an impressive showing of American fans, the squad was primed and ready to leave their mark on the 2023-24 season. Jake Vedder came away with a fourth place finish. 

It was an exciting first round of racing for the men, with Nick Baumgartner advancing through his 1/8 heat to join teammates Connor Schlegel and Vedder for the first quarterfinal. The three Americans were joined by Canada’s own Eliot Grondin, who had already clinched the 2023-24 FIS World Cup snowboard cross Crystal Globe after a dominant season. The hometown hero led the way throughout most of the course until Vedder made an impressive push at the finish to steal the lead from Grondin and secure his place in the round of semifinals.

The start of the course proved costly yet again in the semifinals, with Italian Omar Visintin making an uncharacteristic mistake following the opening roller section, speaking to the technical difficulty of the course and making the first of two semifinals a three-man race. Vedder avoided the chaos and continued his impressive day of racing with a crafty pass on France’s Merlin Surget to finish close behind Grondin and guarantee himself a top-four finish to close out the season in front of a rowdy crowd cheering “USA” at the finish.

In the final race of the final World Cup of the season, the four fastest men of the day lined up in the start gate to take on the pristine Mt. St. Anne course for the final time. Despite a clean start and holding on to third throughout the first half of the race, Vedder fell to fourth to finish just off the podium behind German Leon Ulbricht in third, Australia’s Cameron Bolton in second and Grondin in first, who finished his dominant season with back-to-back victories on home soil.

On the women’s side of competition, American Stacy Gaskill and Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Jacobellis, who earned her 60th career podium with a second place finish in Montafon just a week prior, were both knocked out of competition in the quarterfinal round, taking 10th and 12th place overall, respectively.

After finishing the season in Mt. St. Anne following a grueling few months of back-to-back European races, the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team snowboard cross racers return stateside for some well deserved time off before setting their focus on summer training heading  into the 2024-25 season.

RESULTS
Women
Men

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced the seven snowboard athletes who will represent the United States at the 2024 FIS Slopestyle and Big Air Junior World Championships in Mottolino Livigno, Italy, March 22-30, and the 10 snowboard cross athletes for the FIS Snowboard Cross World Junior Championships in Gudauri, Georgia, April 4-7. 

With both national team members and top U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes from clubs across the country, this year’s team consists of heavy hitters who have already made appearances on the World Cup stage along with up-and-coming riders looking to prove themselves on an international level. The big air and slopestyle World Championships are at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games venue.

Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team athletes Rebecca Flynn and Brooklyn DePriest lead the way after a successful showing at the Youth Olympic Games, with Flynn taking home silver in women’s big air and DePriest finishing sixth in the men’s slopestyle competition. Notably, Flynn will compete in her first World Cup final in Silvaplana just days before she’s set to drop into the Mottolino Fun Mountain Snowpark course, making her an exciting athlete to watch as she continues to excel on the international level.

Ski & Snowboard Club Vail’s Lily Dhawornvej looks to continue her success on the World Cup stage after a second place performance at the final Rev Tour in Aspen last week. She will be joined by older brother Caleb Dhawornvej who also looks to build on his success from the NorAm Cup circuit, highlighted by a sixth place slopestyle result in Copper Mountain in January. Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team rookie coaches Eric Beauchemin and Ryan Conway will join the squad in Italy. Oliver Martin is named, but will not be attending due to injury.

The 2024 FIS Snowboard and Big Air Junior World Championships kicks off snowboard competition with slopestyle qualifications on Sunday, March 24 with finals following on Tuesday, March 26. The event shifts gears to big air competition with snowboard qualifications on Thursday, March 28 and will conclude with big air finals on Saturday, March 30.

On the snowboard cross side, the team is led by Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team members Boden Gerry and Tyler Hamel, all of whom have had success this year on the World Cup circuit. Nathan Pare recently made a statement with a top-eight performance at the Snowboard Cross World Cup in Cortina, finishing seventh overall and cementing himself as a young talent to watch. Bri Schnorrbusch and Nathan Pare are named, but will not be attending due to injury.

Qualifications kick off Friday, April 5 with finals following on Saturday, April 6. The 2024 FIS Snowboard Cross World Junior Championships will also include a snowboard cross team event on Sunday, April 7.

2024 FIS Slopestyle and Big Air Snowboard Junior World Championships Team - Snowboard
(Hometown; Club; Birthdate)

Women
Lily Dhawornvej (Frisco, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 8/14/2009)
Rebecca Flynn (Victoria, MN; Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team/G Team; 7/24/2006)
Mae Morelli (Boston, MA; Green Mountain Academy; 6/30/2007)
Gwyneth Park (Park City, UT; Team Utah Snowboarding; 7/4/2008)

Men
Oliver Martin (Wolcott, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/15/2008)*
Brooklyn DePriest (Rocklin, CA; Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 2/21/2006)
Caleb Dhawornvej (Frisco, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 7/14/2007)

2024 FIS Snowboard Cross World Junior Championships Team

Women
Virginia Boyd (Steamboat Springs, CO, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 2/18/2007)
Kendall Harrington (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 2/4/2004)
Sarah Keck (Winter Park, CO; Auburn Ski Club; 5/10/2004)
Hanna Percy (Truckee, CA; Gould Academy Competition Program; 7/17/2007)
Brianna Schnorrbusch (Monroe Township, NJ; Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team/Gould Academy Competition Program; 1/30/2006)*
Olivia Stracuzzi (Northampton, PA; Gould Academy Competition Program; 3/27/2007)

Men
Boden Gerry (Carrabassett Valley, ME; Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team/Carrabassett Valley Academy; 3/9/2006)
Mason Hamel (Bethel, ME; Gould Academy Competition Program; 1/26/2006)
Tyler Hamel (Bethel, ME; Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team/Gould Academy Competition Program; 7/12/2004)
Nathan Pare (Bethel, ME; Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team/Gould Academy Competition Program; 2/1/2005)*

*declined invite due to injury

It’s an exciting day for snowboard cross fans as Lindsey Jacobellis, the most decorated female snowboard cross athlete of all time, stood back on a World Cup podium with a second place finish in Montafon, marking her 60th career World Cup podium.

After a disappointing result in the first Montafon World Cup final on Saturday, falling in the quarterfinal to take 14th overall, Jacobellis took to the start gate on Sunday with a chip on her shoulder. The Olympic gold medalist was looking for her first individual top-three of the season, having only previously reached the podium in the Les Deux Alpes mixed team event with teammate Jake Vedder, and set herself up to do just that, qualifying through to the big final in Montafon.

It was a close final heat right from the start with Jacobellis sitting in third for the first half of the course. But that all changed after the first set of rollers when Great Britain's Charlotte Bankes took a hard fall after an unfortunate collision with France’s Chloe Trespeuch. Jacobellis and Australia's Josie Baff both made impressive maneuvers to avoid the collision,  narrowly dodging Bankes’ goggles that had fallen from the crash. It was a battle for second and third up until the very end where Jacobellis showed her composure and technique to edge out Baff in the final push at the finish.

Cody Winters was the top performer for the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team on the men’s side, racing to the small final to take sixth overall in Montafon. The Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Cross Team will finish the 2023-24 season with a World Cup double header in Mt. St. Anne starting on March 22.

Results
Women
Men

Every year at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Congress awards ceremony in May, U.S. Ski & Snowboard recognizes the work of those behind the scenes and the people and organizations that provide athletes of all ages with opportunities to participate in ski and snowboard competitions.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard members can nominate in many of the award categories, including The Paul Bacon Award for excellent event organization, the John J. Clair Award for outstanding service to national teams and more.

How the process works

• Nominations for these awards are accepted from members who have a valid and current membership for the 2023-24 Season. 
• Each sport committee also submits its own nomination.
• Selection of awards winners is determined by a vote of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Awards Working Group in early April.
• Winners are announced in May.

How to nominate

• Read through the categories open to public nomination.
• Click on the nomination link for each individual award for which you wish to nominate.
• Complete the nomination paying special attention to highlighting accomplishments required for each award.
• Nominees must also be current members of U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
• Click to submit.
• Remember, you need to submit nominations for each award separately.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS: Friday, March 29, 2024

PUBLIC NOMINATION CATEGORIES

Paul Bacon Award (event organization)

The Paul Bacon Award is given to an individual or group for the greatest contribution to U. S. Ski & Snowboard in the field of race organization during the 2023-24 season. Traditional nominees include local clubs or individuals whose work has made a difference in providing good events for athletes.

PAUL BACON AWARD Nomination Form

John J. Clair Award (service to national teams)

The John J. Clair Jr. Award is given for outstanding service that benefited the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team in 2023-24. Past recipients have included outside team support personnel, donors, journalists, movers and shakers. Most recipients have been individuals, though some organizations have been recognized. The recipient’s service should be to the national teams.

JOHN J. CLAIR JR. AWARD Nomination Form

Bud & Mary Little Award (service to FIS or USOPC)

The Bud & Mary Little Award is a lifetime achievement award presented to an individual who has contributed significantly through a long-term involvement with the International Ski & Snowboard Federation or U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Recipients are eligible to receive the award only once. Achievement should be lifetime; it is not specific to this past year.

BUD & MARY LITTLE AWARD Nomination Form

Buddy Werner Award (sportsmanship)

Have you seen any great acts of sportsmanship this past year? Nominations should be based on actions from the 2023-24 season. It is only open to individuals.

BUDDY WERNER AWARD Nomination Form

Russell Wilder Award (service to youth)

The Russell Wilder Award recognizes the most outstanding effort during 2023-24 in focusing the interests of American youth on the sports of skiing or snowboarding. It can be awarded to an individual or an organization.

RUSSELL WILDER AWARD Nomination Form

OFFICIALS NOMINATION AWARD CATEGORY*

West Family Award (outstanding official)

The West Family Award is a lifetime achievement honor, recognizing an outstanding certified official at any level.  Nominations come from the pool of current U.S. Ski & Snowboard Officials membership.

WEST FAMILY AWARD Nomination Form

*Nominations only open to those who hold a current U.S. Ski & Snowboard Officials membership. 

FIS TECHNICAL DELEGATE NOMINATION AWARD CATEGORY^

Westhaven Award (outstanding FIS technical delegate)

The Westhaven Award is a lifetime achievement award, recognizing an outstanding FIS technical delegate for his or her service over time. Nominations come from the pool of current FIS TDs.

WESTHAVEN AWARD Nomination Form

^Nominations only open to those who hold a current U.S. Ski & Snowboard Technical Delegate membership. 

Lucas Foster earned his first career pro-level podium on Sunday, March 10, taking third place in the Dew Tour superpipe competition and landing a trick no other rider dares to throw – the double alley-oop mctwist.

It was a showdown between the Japanese riders and the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team and the Japanese dominated the top four spots heading into run two. Foster dropped in for the final time in front of an amped crowd that collectively held their breath as he laced together the first four hits of his run, setting him up to throw the never-been-done alley-oop double mctwist. Foster had previously landed the trick in World Cup competition but fell on a later hit, so landing it clean in Copper was a first for the Telluride local.

Foster launched himself into the air and soared over the Dew Tour superpipe, stomping the landing to send the crowd into an eruption of excitement and relief. After a season of countless attempts to put together this very run, Foster shared an emotional moment with his friends and family as the judges awarded him with a 94.00, marking the highest scoring run he’s ever put down in a contest and securing the first major pro podium of his career.

“I’ve been so close so many times, so it feels overdue,” said Foster. “I’m just glad I trusted my run plan today and let it all come together. All the hard work is paying off.”

With the spin-to-win mentality making its way into sport and triples becoming more common, Foster's unique riding style sets him apart from fellow competitors. “I think it’s important to have your own signature tricks,” said Foster. “Halfpipe is so competitive and I want to do what I can to stand out to be Lucas, not just another halfpipe rider.”

At Dew Tour, he certainly set himself apart. After a season of highs and lows, a podium finish reignited Foster’s drive and passion for the sport heading into next season.

“I honestly was debating doing Dew Tour a few weeks ago because I was feeling burnt out after the long World Cup tour, so I really just let go and had fun riding in front of the home crowd,” he said. “It just feels right because I’ve been working so hard and having it all come together and be rewarded for it makes all of the challenges worth it. I’m so glad I didn’t give up. There are still a lot of tricks that I want to learn and a lot that I have but are not in my run yet, so I’m excited to really get a run dialed in that I know I’m capable of. This is just a green light to keep going.”

Foster was joined in the finals by Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team teammates Alessandro Barbieri, Chase Blackwell and Chase Josey. Josey also surprised the crowd with a never-been-done trick of his own, pulling out an ally-oop double rodeo flip to showcase his ever-growing bag of tricks. The squad faced tough competition with the likes of Japan’s Ayumu Hirano, Yuto Totsuka, Kaishu Hirano and Ruka Hirano, but Josey’s creativity earned him sixth overall. Barbieri ended the day in seventh and Blackwell rounded out the crew in eighth. 

With the halfpipe season done and dusted, the squad will take a well-deserved break before setting their sights on summer training for the 2024-25 season

Seven members of the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team qualified for the round of finals under the lights in Cortina, Italy, a season high for the squad. Olympian Jake Vedder was once again the top finisher for the men, taking second place in dramatic fashion. 

Vedder left it all on the course, throwing himself across the line to force a photo finish review. Despite the effort, Vedder was unable to edge out Canada’s Eilot Grondin, who continues to dominate the World Cup circuit. This marks Vedder’s third podium of the season and his second consecutive following a third place finish in Sierra Nevada last weekend.

“It was amazing to race under the lights here in Italy,” said Vedder, “I was second at this venue last year and felt really good energy coming into this race. I’m very happy with my performance but it’s a team effort and I want to give a lot of credit to my wax techs for putting me on the fastest boards possible and my coaches for making sure my line choices were dialed. Excited to head into Montafon next week. Gotta keep this train rolling!”  

Joining Vedder on the men’s side was Olympian Hagen Kearney and teammates Tyler Hamel and Senna Leith, but all three fell in the eighth final, while Olympic gold medalist Nick Baumgartner ended his night in the quarterfinals.

Rookie Nathan Pare had his best World Cup result of his career, qualifying all the way through to the small final and ultimately taking seventh place.

Lindsey Jacobellis was the sole American competitor on the women’s side but unfortunately fell short of advancing out of the quarterfinal. 

The Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team snowboard cross riders shift their focus to the upcoming World Cup double header in Montafon, Austria March 15-17.

RESULTS
Women
Men