Happy Holiday Update

We're almost halfway through the holiday season and though everyone is fearing the cold snap the good news is the snowmakers can make lots of snow for us. Today and Friday(New Year's Day) are off-days for the snowboard crew while the Freestyle skiers are just off Friday. Remember to layer up the next few days and keep a sharp edge on your gear. A little fresh snow tonight should soften things up though. Tonight is the NYSEF Snow-A-Thon from 6-8pm at the Ski Jumps in Lake Placid. Make sure to bring your pledges along as all proceeds go directly to your specific program to help keep costs down and invest in needed gear. Also, don't forget, this weekend marks the start of the USASA Adirondack competition season. Saturday GS followed by Sunday SL. Registration will be in the NYSEF Training Center from 7:30 - 8:30am. Both are double events, back to back (so 4 runs). This is a snowboard only event - registration is $25. For more info go to www.usasa.org , and check out the "Adirondack" region page. Until then, have a Happy New Year! See you on the hill!

US Snowboard World Cup

Telluride, CO - Well another US World Cup is in the books and I've gotta say it was a great one. The weather was cold and snowy during the building of the snowboardcross course but cleared up for all the races. We held two PGS races - one each on Tuesday and Thursday - and two SBX's - individuals on Saturday and Team SBX on Sunday.
In Tuesday's Parallel Giant Slalom race Matthew Morison(CAN) took first followed by Benjamin Karl(AUT) and Matthieu Bozzetto(FRA). On the ladies side, first went to Fraenzi Maegert-Kohli(SUI), second to Amelie Kober(GER), and third to Kimiko Zakreski(CAN). Best US results were Chris Klug(15th), Justin Reiter(16th), and Michelle Gorgone(11th).
In Thursday' race Jasey Jay Anderson(CAN) took first followed by teammate Michael Lambert(CAN) and Rok Flander(SLO). For the ladies, Alena Zavarina(RUS)took first, Marion Kreiner(AUT) second, and Ine Meschik(AUT) third. Best US finish was Adam Smith(14th) and Lindsay Lloyd(17th). Action from the PGS will be broadcast this Saturday the 26th at 1:30pm on NBC and Sunday, January 3rd at 5pm on Versus.
In SBX action, the athletes were put to the test on a long, challenging course designed and built by Olympic course builder, Jeff Ihaksi, and his assitant Johnie Balfour. Many riders agreed that the bar has been raised again with his design and were psyched to race under the bluebird skies of Telluride.
Once again, the Adirondacks own, Derek DiCastro travelled to the event to forerun the course. Derek quickly figured out the course and managed to get a little camera work in for the production crew. He was fitted with a lipstick camera on his lower leg to record the point of view as he raced down the track against another athlete. We're hoping we'll see the footage this Sunday when the event airs on NBC at 1pm.
The men's event saw Pierre Vaultier(FRA) come in first, with Robert Fagan(CAN)second, and former halfpipe Olympic medalist Ross Powers(USA) coming in third. The strong American field then took 5 of the next 6 spots. On the ladies side, Maelle Ricker(CAN) took first, Simona Meiler(SUI)second, and Dominique Maltais(CAN) third. The top US finishers were 17-year old Faye Gulini(8th) and Lindsay Jacobellis(11th).
Last but not least was the Team SBX event. A test event the last two years, this was the first official FIS World Cup Team SBX. The riders, who normally ride solo, got fired up for their teammates and their country while vying for the title. The US managed to podium in both the ladies' and men's competitions and Lindsay Jacobellis made up for her 11th place in the solo event with a first place with teammate Faye Gulini. Men's podium - 1st FRA(De La Rue, Vaultier), 2nd USA(Holland, Baumgartner), 3rd CAN(Robertson, Neilson) Ladies' - 1st USA(Jacobellis,Gulini), 2nd CAN(Ricker, Maltais), 3rd SUI(Frieden, Meiler).

All the results can be found here or on the FIS site.

Great First Weekend

NYSEF kicked of it's first official training weekend with drills, fun, and a much better outlook than that of the week prior. It was great finally getting to meet all of the athletes and parents. We anticipate a wonderful season by the escalating level of excitement by everyone. The park is growing everyday with added features and the terrain on Essex and Lower Cloud had bumped up quite nicely for those freedoggers.
NYSEF left its mark at Sunday's Cunningham Rail Jam with John Wilkins (NSA) taking second overall for men's snowboarder's and Jake Doan, KC Brousseau, and Nick Edwards (all of Northwood School)taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd for overall skier while Art Griffin pulled off a 1st place for boy skiers.
We are looking forward to this weekend 's training and am shooting to put in some moguls and a kicker for those doggers. We are expecting a partly sunny day Saturday and few snow showers Sunday with both days expected to stay in the low to mid 20's.
Please don't forget about the snow-A-thon!

Thanks Everyone- THINK SNOW!

Freeride

Greetings to all Freestyle Skiers new and returning! I am so happy to be able to work with all of you this season after taking a year off to nurse a knee injury. We have a lot going on this year with World Cup, and Western “B” Regional Finals here at Whiteface.

Please take this weekend to come out to see the mountain, grab your passes, and allow me to introduce myself as well as answer any questions you may have. We will pick up next weekend with a full training regimen. Parents, please speak to your children about what their goals are for this season, as well as which event series they wish to participate in. I will also ask that I receive a list of allergies or health issues to be kept on file.

I anticipate a strong and fun season for everyone. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at (716) 574-9432 before 6pm or email me anytime at chrisk@nysef.org.

Thanks again and ski hard!

Coach Kasper

NYSEF Program Update

I’d like to welcome all those new to Freeride as well as those returning from last season. As some of you may already know, due to the lack of terrain available this weekend at Whiteface Mt., we will not be starting weekend training until next weekend, Saturday, Dec 12th . The projected trails as of today are Excelsior, Summit Express and Upper Valley - with all skiers and riders downloading on the gondola. With the lack of easy terrain and the amount of athletes both in the alpine and freeride programs vying for the same space as the public, it was decided it would be safer to wait until more terrain becomes available.
Please feel free to come in and pick up your pass and take the chance to meet the staff and get more info on the season ahead. For those on the freestyle ski side, Chris Kasper will be on site, taking the place of the injured Justin Perry, as well as Mike Lynn. And on the snowboard side, I will be around, along with returning coach Tommy Thompson, and new coach Bob Witt.
If you are looking for more info on our scheduled program days, competitions, or general info please check the www.nysef.org site and click on ‘whiteface’, then ‘freeride’. There you will see our blog and a google calendar with tons of info pertaining to the program and our sports.
I am sorry I will not see you next weekend. I will be heading to Telluride, CO next Tuesday to work on the Snowboard World Cup – returning Christmas week . Please feel free to e-mail me or call if you have any questions or concerns no matter how small.

I look forward to seeing all of you.
Let’s have a great season!

Mike Kirchner

NYSEF Freeride Director