are a Good Thing

With every New Year there is always a feeling of optimism. Expectations run high, and nowhere is the anticipation more noticeable than at junior races. Just go to a J4 and J5 race and watch the kids’ faces. Sure, there are disappointments, but 10 minutes after the race, the realities of the just-completed event have gone away. The young racers are laughing, playing and skiing. In many ways, this is the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) at its best. Even better, it appears the national governing body wants to find a way to keep fun in the sport with less intensity as kids move into older age brackets.

There is evidence that USSA is looking at ways to better integrate elite level alpine skiing with the realities of sport in general.

USSA management is well aware of the fallout that occurs as alpine athletes grow older, particularly when they reach the J2 level (ages 15–16). This is when alpine racing becomes both expensive and stressful, thanks to the cost of travel and the introduction of full-on speed events. Fortunately, USSA is recognizing that there are more late bloomers in athletics than has traditionally been expected. U.S. Ski Team star Ted Ligety is an example of an individual who did not start to generate solid results until he was a second-year J1. Reviewing athletic progression in alpine skiing, USSA, at the direction of President Bill Marolt and Athletic Director Luke Bodensteiner, have relaxed the 2010–2011 criteria for elite athlete development to allow athletes whose skills develop later a better chance to be recognized. Better yet, according to National Development Director Walt Evans, USSA is asking that coaches and programs pay particular attention to “fitness, fun and fundamentals” in the younger age brackets from J5 through J3.

“We are not challenging youngsters by putting
them in the gates or over racing them,” Evans says. “Gates should not be babysitters. We want to have
kids develop a passion for skiing the mountain.”
These are welcome words as Ski Racing has long seen too much emphasis on narrowing candidates
to the elite level too early. Expense, however, remains a major concern, particularly in the current eco-
nomic environment. But that is an issue for another day.

With this issue, Ski Racing editors are really gearing up for the heart of the season. January is critical and is an indicator of how World Cup athletes will do at the Vancouver Games. Freestylers will get their day in the sun at Deer Valley. In alpine, athletes will be competing in the classic events, and much of their season’s tale will be told this month.

The nordic combined team continues to show its prowess, and Johnny Spillane gave Peter Graves something to write about when he garnered his first World Cup win; Graves also writes about how Andy Newell continues to impress with his Tour de Ski results. Associate Editor Shauna Farnell is in Europe following the women’s alpine World Cup. She reports on the Lienz and Zagreb races (pages 18- 19 and 22-25) in this issue. Look for her videos both in the issue and on the Ski Racing website. Hank McKee reports on Bormio where the U.S. team was almost a no-show. Eric Williams takes a look at who will be skiing at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games from the “no snow” countries, and reports on early ski cross events. Bryce Hubner is following the college scene and tells us who is really challenging for the NCAA title as the carnival season opens. Bill McCollom reports on the latest masters events and, in Finish Line, regales us with why today seems like yesterday — or does it?

Don’t forget to go to the Ski Racing website ( skiracing.com). The editors are adding videos and bringing you the news as it happens. January promises to be exciting. Keep the site bookmarked as this month’s results will tell who gets to start in Vancouver. It is going to be a great couple of weeks. — G.B. Jr. Fitness, fun and fundamentals.

EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SARAH TUFF

SENIOR EDITOR

HANK MCKEE

ASSOCIATE EDITORS SHAUNA FARNELL ERIC WILLIAMS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PE TER Q. GRAVES BRYCE HUBNER BILL MCCOLLOM JACK MOORE

SALES/MARKETING
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
NANCY MERRILL
SALES AND MARKETING
COORDINATOR
AMY DOXEY

ART ART DIRECTOR RAND PAUL PHOTOGRAPHERS JONATHAN SELKOWITZ JULIE SHIPMAN

SKI RACING
INTERNATIONAL, LLC
CHAIRMAN/CEO
GARY BLACK JR.
CONTROLLER
KRISTIN FARRELL

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