March Looming!

We had another great weekend of competition to start the President's Week Holiday with a Saturday night railjam at Titus and a bluebird Monday at Gore/North Creek Ski Bowl's final Skier/Boardercross of the season.  The action was great in both locations and now with those comps behind us we are into the home stretch of the USASA season.  The final three regional events are upon us, all at Whiteface, as is the month of March!

This Sunday the 23rd is our final ADK Slopestyle and next weekend is a double-header with our makeup for "Deck the Rails" taking place Saturday afternoon, with our final SX/BX on Sunday closing out the regional season.

By now I hope you've all been thinking about your plans for Nationals and have a good idea whether you will be attending.  Regional champions for each of our disciplines will be decided with the completion of each of our final three events.  Based on current results, and by looking up regional rankings online you can get a good idea of whether that invite will come right away or after the national office goes to the points list.  Please take the time to check and then let me know your intentions - or questions - the sooner, the better.  If you're in first place in our region but do not intend to attend Nationals, we have the option to name the second place athlete in their place.  This must take place before invites go out but I can't do that if you don't tell me.  That means that 2nd place might  have to wait until they get invited via National Ranking Points.  That extra time is really valuable in securing cheaper flights, accommodations, etc., so please let me know asap.

Freeride evaluations will be available for pick-up at the NYSEF front desk on Sunday the 23rd so please stop by and pick them up.  If you have any questions or concerns that your coach can't answer, please come find me or shoot me an e-mail and I'll take it from there.

Thanks,
Mike K

Empire State Winter Games 2014

Well, we had another great weekend of competition at the Empire State Games with many athletes from all over the state coming together to vie for this year's championship.  The Catskill & Adirondack series were well represented in both the Cross & Slopestyle contests, trading spots on the podium from division to division.  Congrats to all the athletes who took part!

Some of our notable NYSEF results are listed below.

Skiercross/Boardercross

Menehune Boys - 3rd - Cobane Bissonette
Skier Girls (10-12) - 1st - Avery Higgins-Lopez, 2nd - Julia Schneider (NYSEF Winter Term)
Skier Boys (10-12) - 1st - Camden Reiley, 2nd - Elias Ford, 3rd - Kaylen Reiley
Skier Men (13-15) - 1st - J. Sloan Ruhl (NYSEF Gore), 2nd - Jake Roney
Youth Men (14-15) - 1st - Anthony Russo, 2nd - Andrew Piper (NYSEF Gore)

Slopestyle

Skier Boys (10-12) - 1st - Bryant Ward, 2nd - Kaylen Reiley, 3rd - Elias Ford
Skier Girls (10-12) - 1st - Julia Schneider, 2nd - Madeline Prichard
Skier Men (13-15) - 1st - Brian Gardiner, 2nd - Gavin Fritz, 3rd - Jacob Prichard
Skier Men (16-18) - 1st - Maxwell Finn, 2nd - Taylor Bond
Youth Men (14-15) - 1st - Joshua Boise

USSA B Slopestyle & Aerial

A big THANKS to those who came out this weekend for both events at Whiteface MT and the Olympic Jumping Complex.  With conflicting events going on around the East the turnout was low but the ORDA facilities were in great shape and the staff support was high.  Hopefully we can keep this one on the calendar for next year and see a lot more athletes turn out for a more competitive atmosphere.  I must also thank Pete Gardiner and PRG Financial for their underwriting of the event.  Their support allowed us to keep our officials happy and fed while giving something back to the NYSEF Freeride program.  Thanks Pete!

Results

F3's - Brett DeWeese - SS 2 - 1st's, 1st Overall / A 2-1st's, 1st Overall
F5's - Brooke Deweese - SS 2-1st's / A 2-1st's

M3's - Brian Gardiner - SS 2-1st's, 1st Overall / A 1-1st
           Jake Roney - SS 2-2nd's, 3rd Overall / A 2nd, 1st
           Jack DeWeese - SS 2-3rd's / A 2-2nd's, 3rd Overall
M4's - Camden Reiley - SS 2-1st's / A 2-1st's, 2nd Overall
M5's - Kaylen Reiley - SS 2-1st's, 2nd Overall / A 2-1st's, 1st Overall
           Max Oechsner - SS 2-2nd's / A 2-2nd's

Slopestyle #2

This past weekend USASA held the second ADK series slopestyle event of the season at Whiteface. The weather couldn't have been better, and the park crew had recently rebuilt the slopestyle course which boasted three rail features and a three jump line for a total of 6 features. Everything lined up for a great day of competition. Some of the highlights from the day consisted of a large rail transfer by Dale, a huge superman front flip by Jake, and a large cork 720 safety by Taylor.

Every NYSEF freestyle athlete (boy, and girl, ski, and snowboard) put their freestyle abilities on the line. Their results were as follows:

Men Jam's (18 - 22):
Dale Mortensen - 1st Place

Youth Men (14 - 15):
Anthony Russo - 1st Place
Josh Boise - 2nd Place
Greg Livingston - 3rd Place
Richmond Harvey - 4th Place

Skier Girls (12 - 12):
Julia Schneider - 1st Place

Skier Boys (10 - 12):
Bryant Ward - 1st Place
James Ward - 2nd Place
Matthew Byrne - 3rd Place

Skier Men (13 - 15):
Jacob Prichard - 1st Place
Avery Higgins-Lopez - 3rd Palce
Gavin Fritz - 4th Place

Skier Men (16 - 18):
Taylor Bond - 1st Place
Max Finn - 2nd Place
John Owen - 3rd Place

MLK Ski Cross @ North Creek Ski Bowl

In the not to distant past USASA ran a Ski Cross event at the North Creek Ski Bowl. The course was said by many athletes that, "it was the best that North Creek has ever had!" It was a perfect course for all ages, complete with rollers, berms, jumps, drops, and a hip. The weather was less than ideal for racing; there was flat light and about an inch of snow fell over the duration of the whole event. However, I was impressed with the resiliency of ever athlete. Everyone competed to their fullest potential and maintained a positive attitude until the end of the comp.

Julia racing around one of the berm 

Daniel coming through the top section of the course

Jake shows he has great balance even in the air

Julia catches some air on her way to a victory in her age group

Brook and Audrey racing each other in practice for bragging rights

Anthony riding a berm on his was to a victory of his own

The results from each age group of each NYSEF athlete was as follows:
Menehune Boys (10 -11):
Cobane Bossonette - 1st Place

Youth Men (14 - 15):
Anthony Russo - 1st Place

Men Jam's (18 - 22):
Dale Mortensen - 1st Place

Skier Girls (10 - 12):
Julia Schneider - 1st Place
Audrey Higgins-Lopez - 3rd Place
Brook DeWeese - 4th Place
Ruby LaDue - 6th Place

Skier Men (13 - 15):
Andrew Piper - 2nd Place
Jake Prichard - 3rd Place
Jacob Roney - 4th Place
Linus Sante - 5th Place
Avery Higgins-Lopez - 8th Place

Skier Men (16 - 18):
Eric Sparkowski - 1st Place

We had a great time, and are eagerly awaiting the next Ski Cross on Feb. 8th at Whiteface.

February is here!

Hard to believe that February is here already and comps are going off all over the place.  Last weekend the B skiers headed to Mt Snow & Okemo with top performances from Brian Gardiner (1st overall in Slope & Big Air) and Kaylen Reilly taking first in his age group and an incredible 3rd overall on Saturday.  Way to go!
In Moguls action on Sunday Brett DeWeese took 1st, Emma Oechsner took 13th(17th on Saturday), and Brooke DeWeese 21st.  On the boys side, Kaylen Reilley was top finisher with an 18th, Jacob Roney 20th, Brian Gardiner 23rd, Max Oechsner 25th(24th on Saturday), and Camden Reilley with a 25th.
This weekend is our B event with a double Slopestyle taking place Saturday at Whiteface and a double Aerial going down Sunday at the Olympic Jumping Complex.  We are expecting a pretty small field both days so we expect the comps will run pretty quickly.  Note: On Sunday, there will be a fee for spectators - $11 at the gate - to help ORDA offset the cost of rebuilding the site.  We are very appreciative to the OJC & ORDA for allowing us to hold this event and all the effort their staff is going to, especially with such a small field.
Lastly, in comp news, next weekend is the USASA sanctioned Empire State Games Skier/Boardercross & Slopestyle.  Registration is all online through the USASA site AND the ESG site.  If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me or track me down at NYSEF.  Hope to see you there.

Mike K

Okemo, and Mt Snow slopestyle competitions

This past weekend a total of 5 NYSEF freestyle athletes traveled to Vermont to compete in slopestyle. The team divided and conquered! Two athletes (Brian, and Gavin) went to Okemo for the first stop of the East Free Tour, and the other three athletes (Taylor, Max, and John) went to Mt Snow for a USASA Southern Vermont Series Slopestyle.

Both locations had scheduled slopestyle competitions on both Saturday and Sunday. However, with the forecast for Saturday calling for lots of rain, fog, and wind Mt Snow decided to cancel their Saturday slopestyle and only run the one slopestyle on Sunday; Okemo made the decision to run both slopestyle competitions on Sunday. Although the weather was not cooperating with us, many of the athletes were resilient and skied their best despite the poor conditions.

Ross Perot (the Northwood coach, not the politician) was at Mt Snow. Below are a few photos as well as what he had to say about the competition:

"Despite having our Saturday competition cancelled and facing unfavorable conditions on Sunday, the NYSEF/Northwood freestylers had a strong showing at the USASA Slopestyle at Carinthia Parks, Mt. Snow, VT.  Taylor Bond (class of 15') placed 1st in the men's 16-18 group.  Max Finn (14') had strong runs but skidded out on his landings. John Owen (14') suffered a minor injury to his shoulder in training, but will be back in competition next weekend."

-RP

Here is Taylor spinning and making sure to lock in his tail grab

Taylor is skiing backwards over a log jib and making it look easy

I (JP) was at Okemo with Gavin and Brian. Both athletes really impressed me with their endurance during both competitions as well as with the execution of all their tricks. Gavin and Brian were two of the youngest athletes in the competition; they are freshmen in high school competing against mostly seniors. However, Gavin and Brian were not intimidated by their competition. "I just want to have fun and land some clean runs today," said Gavin. As it turned out, they both landed clean runs in both the 1st and 2nd competition. The results from both slopestyle competitions were as follows:
1st competition > Brian - 20th, and Gavin - 24th
2nd competition > Brian - 3rd, and Gavin - 22nd

In the second slopestyle competition Brian landed his first switch 1080 ever!

And he got third!

Brian (left) and Gavin (right) had, "one of their best weekends ever!"

Lastly, I want to say a quick but HUGE thank you to Debbie, Jane, and Vinnie for all of their support this past weekend!

Until next time, keep it classy.

- JP