Empire State Games Ski Cross & Snowboard Cross

The first ever Ski Cross and Snowboard Cross in Empire State Games history was contested this past weekend at Whiteface Mountain with NYSEF skiers and riders making a strong showing. The NYSEF run event was a great success and the competitors all had high praise for the course built on the Wolf trail by Whiteface park staff and NYSEF Freeride coaches.
In the scholastic men's division (13-16yrs) KC Brousseau took the gold and Josh Nixon the silver while in the women's division Jacinda Riggs took silver. For the snowboarders, Jessica Powers took the silver in the women's Open and Derek Dicastro the gold in the men's Open. The scholastic division saw Lake Placid locals Dale Mortensen and Colin Grady take the first and second positions and NYSEF rider Karl Lakata take 6th.
The event was the competition debut for the cross course and for NYSEF's new start gate, both of which will remain in place for the final USASA BX/SX of the season March 7th and for training the remainder of the season.

Holimont, Ellicottville, NY- Abram Studler was able to hold down a 4th place finish in the Holimont Mogul Competition with teammate Art Griffin finishing 19th on Saturday, Feruary 13th,2010.
Buffalo Ski Club, Colden, NY- What better time to hold the Buffalo Aerial Assault than just before Buffalo Ski Club's own Matt Depeters ships off to Vancouver to represent USA in Olympic Aerials! Matt has spent much time training in Lake Placid under the ORDA and NYSEF. We wish Matt the very best of luck!!! Be sure to catch him Monday at 9pm Eastern.
NYSEF's authority was represented well on Valentines day during the assault with Abram Studler taking 12th in the first competition and 10th the second with Art Griffin clenching 5th in both.
Whiteface Mtn., Lake Placid, NY- Dillon Calderone secured a first place finish in the USASA Slope Style with teammate Jake Doan on his tail for a close 2nd place finish for Open Class skiers. KC Brouseau once again led the Skier Men with Oliver Holmes close in second. Skier Boys were dominated by NYSEF's Brian Gardiner (3rd), Nate Foster (2nd), and Gavin Fritz (1st)!
Youth Men Snowboarder's was led by Colin Grady in first place. Jonathan Locklin finished third for Junior Men Snowboarder's, and Katie Kennedy won the Junior Women's snowboard class.
We wish all athletes the best of luck in the 2010 Olympics and this week's Empire State Games!

Ski Hard, Ride Hard,

Free Ride

Saturday Park Session Pics

Free-Diggity-Dogger's

The Freestyle Ski Team stormed the Northeast this past weekend, with Jake Doan grabbing a 10th place finish in the Waterville Valley Slope Style, and Jason Castle sitting in the middle of the pack amongst the east's best free riders. Other big winners were Lindsey Rath, Nate Foster, Jacinda Riggs, and KC Brousseau all clenched first place finishes in Saturday's skier cross at Gore Mt. Brian Gardiner and Nick Edwards were both 2nd for their age groups.
Sunday was the Maui North Slope style where Abram Studler took home first for his age group while the Jake, Oliver, KC, Nick, Jason and Coach Dillon all sessioned the 50 foot Pisgah Jump. Stay Tuned for great pic's compliments of Jake Sporn.

Tune into News Channel 5 tomorrow (Wed) at 6pm to see NYSEF's coaches and athletes discuss the progression process of Freestyle Skiing in conjunction with the North Country's "Road to the Olympics"! To see the segment please cut and paste this link: www.wptz.com/video/22527188/index.html

Ski Hard,

Coach Kasper

Derek DiCastro 17th at Rev Tour BX

Copper Mt., CO - Derek DiCastro, shown at left before forerunning this year's World Cup event in Telluride, made his debut on the USSA Revolution Tour this past weekend placing 17th. Though Derek has won the all-around amateur title twice before at USASA Nationals this marks his first start on the USSA tour.
Racing against some of the best young boardercrossers in the country, Derek took 6th in the time trials and had a transfer spot in his first heat but spun out while attempting to pass the leader. In boardercross, the first two across the finish advance to the next round while the bottom two drop out.
Though a 17th in his first start is respectable it's the time trial result that really proves he's capable of racing against the best. He's shown that he can handle world cup level courses and has an uncanny ability to adjust to terrain that eats up lesser riders.
Derek relocated to NYSEF/Whiteface from Rome, NY in order to train on the big mountain and prepare for his push towards his goal of a spot on the FIS World Cup.
Jessica Powers also made her debut in the ladies event but just missed out on qualification. They will both have a shot at the next stop in Boreal, CA in March.
Jonathan Locklin is also along and will be competing in the Slopestyle event taking place on Wednesday. Check back for details.
Sunday February 7th was the first of three USSA/FIS Boardercross events on the Revolution Tour this season. The Tour is open to all licensed competitors but is meant to showcase younger riders and be a stepping stone to the Grand Prix (US National) and World Cup tours.
-Kirsh

Whiteface/Maui North Big Air

Sunday February 7th was the Maui North Big Air in the Brookside Terrain Park. Though a little chilly and not so sunny as Saturday everyone seemed to have a great time. Jon Durney was on the mic and many of our NYSEF riders and skiers were on their game! Check out these links for pics and video!
Pictures on Facebook
Video on You Tube

Boarder/Skiercross at Gore/North Creek Ski Bowl

We had another great day of racing at Gore Mt and The North Creek Ski Bowl this past weekend! A big thanks to all the volunteers and competitors who came out and helped to make it a successful event. Check out the links below for results and pics and don't forget the final BX/SX of the season will be coming up on March 7th at Whiteface. See you there!
Pictures on facebook
Results