2011-2012 Season Almost Here!

Okay, so I haven't posted since last Spring. That's because there was no hope of snow...until now! The season is almost upon us and it's time to get the gear in order (or order new gear), update your memberships, and start setting your competitve goals.
The USSA Eastern Freestyle schedule is not up yet but will be soon so all you freestyle skiers keep an eye on their site. Here you'll find info on events all over the East including Aerials, Moguls, Slopestyle, Halfpipe, and Big Air.
The USASA schedule will be up very soon but tentative dates are already included on NYSEF's google snowboard calendar. New for this year, Railjams have been added as an official discipline! That means you can accumulate points and head to Copper next Spring to become the first Rail Champion in USASA's history. Also, the first railjam will be a qualifier to represent the Adirondacks at the 2nd annual USASA X-Games exhibition in January. If you're joining or renewing, don't forget to do it before Oct 31st so you can save $10.
The Empire State Games are back at Whiteface too with Skier & Boarder Cross. Oh yeah, and we added Slopestyle this year! About time, right? Skiers and Boarders 13 years old and up are eligible to compete as long as you're a current member of one of the three New York USASA series. They're still updating their site but know that the games will happen Feb 2-5 and you can always get more info by contacting me at mikek@nysef.org .
So I know that's alot of info to keep track of but ,before you know it, we'll be on snow ,so get it all figured out now while you still have time!

22nd USASA National Championships Results

Well the 22nd USASA Nationals is in the books and the ADK was well represented to say the least! Twenty-eight athletes took part in both Ski and Snowboard events resulting in 13 top 20's and 5 podiums including the new national champion in 16-18 yr old Skier Cross, Matt Brady (NSA-pictured above left)! If you include non-ADK, NYSEF-coached athletes you could add three more top tens and another podium too.
The hardware came home thanks to the dominating ADK SX team. In addition to the 1st place from Matt, KC Brousseau brought home 2nd place in Open Class(+$1k), Peter Palumbo 2nd in 13-15 yr olds, Lindsay Rath 3rd in 9 & under, and Ed Sparkowski 3rd in the 19 & overs.
The deep fields in the snowboard disciplines kept the ADK off the podium but noteworthy was Dale Mortensen's 8th place in Slopestyle followed up the following day with another 8th, this time in Boardercross. Dale was the only rider on the slopestyle course to pull off a front flip off the first-down rail though a fall later in the run kept him from reaching one of the top spots.
Derek DiCastro managed a 10th place finish in Open Class boardercross coming back off a mid-season injury and Anthony Russo took a 14th place in BX in the 10-11yr olds at his first-ever Nationals.
All our athletes represented us well in victory and defeat. Many of the athletes stayed to cheer on their teammates even after they were knocked out of competition - truly a sign of sportsmanship and what the USASA is all about.
This Nationals was dedicated to the memory of USASA founder Chuck Allen who passed away this past winter. Chuck was a SoCal surf coach who came up with the idea of a "Little League" for snowboarding. His legacy was represented by the Aloha print bibs modeled after his beloved Hawaiian shirt. Over the years the organization evolved to include our skier siblings and the rest is history. There wasn't a dry eye in the village after Chuck's good friend and Slopestyle Technical Supervisor Bryce Maxwell spoke about the man who started it all and what the sport meant to him. Just when you thought it couldn't get any more emotional Bryce introduced Chuck's widow Christine and you could see how touched she was by the love of a bunch of strangers who understood Chuck's vision.
It's hard to believe it's over as we start to plan for next year and an even bigger and better event - if that's possible! 1641 athletes came to Copper Mt to compete and share in the camraderie of our sport. Who knows? Maybe 2000 isn't out of reach?
Special thanks has to go to all the NYSEF staffmembers who empowered our athletes to such great heights - Head SX Coach Kevin Brousseau, Head Wax Tech Corey Brousseau, Head Freeride Coach Jusin Perry, Asst Freeride Coach Keith Shipman, Head Snowboard Coach Tommy Thomson, Asst Snowboard Coach Bob Witt, and Coach/Athlete Derek DiCastro and USASA Volunteer/Coach/Team Mom Linda Brousseau.
Thank you everyone!
BTW-Anyone with pictures to share please send them along!

Custom Nationals ADK Hardway Hoody Now Available!

Nationals time is finally here and that means its time to unveil our custom ADK hoodies. And this year it has local flavor thanks to Susan Hirschfeld and the Hardway crew -local rider/designers John Wilkins and Dan Lillo! Yep, custom Hardways in green with our new ADK logo on the goggle wipe and a green tinted Nationals logo on the rear. If you won your age group you get one for free. If you didn't you can still get one for just $60. They come in L, XL, and XXL (yes they're meant to be oversized) but quantities are limited. The green fleece is exclusive (not counting Cardany's) so once they're gone they're gone!


Available by order and for sale onsite at the 22nd Annual USASA National Championships at Copper Mt., CO starting this Saturday April 2nd. If you're going to be there, be sure to contact me & pick yours up to wear in the opening ceremonies parade to represent ADK the Hardway! Contact mikek@nysef.org to reserve your size before they're gone. If you're not going to CO your order will be available for pickup from the NYSEF Training Center after Nationals.

USASA Nationals Coaching & Lodging

If you plan on heading to Nationals and are in search of lodging, we have some limited availability in both snowboard and ski weeks staying on site with other athletes and coaches.
Also, our coaches are available to work with your athlete whether or not you are a NYSEF athlete. Remember, only coaches and athletes may be on course and able to make protests. Our coaches are all certified, know the ropes at Nationals, and can help with strategy and prep from practice day through comp day.
If you wouuld like more info about either please contact mikek@nysef.org .

Footy Fest Award Winners

The Reiley Family

Cam Willis & Jack Van Wie


A good time was had by all last night at the first ever Footy Fest held at The Hollywood Theatre in AuSable Forks. Amateur filmmakers turned out to see who would claim the 1st place awards for both the <5 minute and <30 minute categories. Prizes included cash and Go Pro cameras for the winners as well as Skis from Liberty, a snowboard from Nitro and gift certificates from local sponsors for the runners-up.
Sponsors included NYSEF, Hardway Apparel, Go Pro Cameras, Placid Planet, Lifted Boardshop, Liberty Skis, and Whiteface Mt. The competition served as a fundraiser for USASA ADK athletes headed to Nationals at Copper Mt, CO April 2-12.

<5 minute
1st - Jack Van Wie - "Dream"
2nd - Nick Edwards - Self-titled
3rd - Cam Willis - "East to West and Back"

<30 minute
1st - Brandee Reiley - "Little Dudes Don't Do Little"
2nd - Jack Van Wie - "Until Now"

DVD copies of the 2011 Footy Fest are available for $10 through NYSEF Freeride. Contact mikek@nysef.org to get your copy and aid our ADK athletes.

Freeride Picnic

Sunday the 27th of March will be the day for the Freeride end-of-season picnic. Sign-up this weekend at the front desk for a food item to bring/donate to the cause. It all kicks off at 11:30am - location to be announced.
And don't forget about our upcoming events! The Skimeister is this Saturday the 19th and is open to Freeride athletes as well as our alpine counterparts. One run of GS, one run of paneled SL, and one run timed Ski Cross. Sign up at alpine reg or contact Brian Fitzgerald.
Saturday the 26th is the final Cross race of the season here at Whiteface. Open to all USSA/USASA members the race wraps up our Cross Camp that runs Wed-Fri. A great tune-up for Nationals or just for fun. C'mon out and give it a try. Want more info contact mikek@nysef.org . Hope to see you all there!

Abe Studler Wins "B" Mogul Championship

March 12: This past weekend, Abram Studler(Brant Lake) took first place in the USSA Eastern Qualifier Series Mogul Championships at Mount Snow Ski Resort in West Dover, Vermont. Out of 60 competitors, Abram out scored every one by over an entire point, a feat rarely seen in this fast paced sport. Battling illness and nerves, Abram finished his winning season solidifying the number one spot in the Eastern "B" competitors list, a spot that he held onto for the entire 2010-2011 season. Coach Mike Lynn said "Abe skied this competition like he has all year,confidant and composed" Abram now will compete in the next level with his first competition in April at Killington Mountain.