ORDA & NYSEF Honored for Their Work in Hosting U.S. Alpine Nationals

Local Athletes and Coaches Recognized by USSA
Park City, UT - There were times during March’s U.S. Alpine National Championships, at Whiteface, where officials were wondering if skiers were going to be wearing swim suits and snorkels instead of speed suits and skis while they raced. Officials and staff from both the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and the New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) battled all types of inclement weather conditions keeping the race on track and on schedule. For that both organizations were named recipients of the United States Ski and Snowboard Association’s (USSA) Paul Bacon Award, given to an outstanding contributor in the field of race organizing. The award was presented during the USSA’s annual dinner, held Friday night, May 14, in Park City, Utah.

“Few venues, world-wide, could have accomplished what this partnership of ORDA and NYSEF produced on behalf of USSA alpine competitors,” stated Bill Marolt, USSA president/CEO. “It certainly stretched our resources, both mentally and physically. The hill preparation prior to the event was the critical link in the process. The efforts to produce world-class events were remarkable, especially while contending with extremely adverse weather and temperatures. ORDA and NYSEF should take great pride in being recognized for your passion for sport and your leadership efforts.”

Jay Rand, NYSEF executive director added, “We are honored to receive this prestigious award, and thank the USSA and all of the officials and volunteers that contributed to a successful national alpine championships under extremely challenging weather conditions.”

Vermontville’s two-time Olympic medalist Bill Demong, NYSEF coach Casey Colby and USSA international representative Joe Lamb, both of Lake Placid, were also honored by the association. Demong was presented the USSA Chairman’s Olympic Champion Award, a tribute to his gold medal achievement during February’s Olympic Winter Games, in Vancouver, Canada, where he won the United States’ first-ever Olympic gold medal in the Nordic combined large hill event. Demong also helped lead the U.S. team to a silver medal in the team event.

Lake Placid Sends a Dozen to Compete in Vancouver Olympics

Lake Placide, NY - There has never been an Olympic Winter Games in which at least one Lake Placid, N.Y. area athletes hasn’t competed. As a mater a fact, the very first winter Olympic medal ever awarded, gold, was to Lake Placid native and speedskater Charles Jewtraw, during the 1924 games in Chamonix, France. This February, there will be a dozen area athletes competing in Vancouver/Whistler, Canada for American pride and Lake Placid legacy, all of whom honed their skills on the Lake Placid Olympic venues.

With Record Snowfall and Technical Approval, Whistler Blackcomb and VANOC are Games-Ready

Whistler, BC - With the backdrop of a record snowfall and the blessing of international ski officials, the finishing touches are being applied over the next 16 days to the Olympic alpine ski racing venue. Whistler Blackcomb, host venue for the men's and women's alpine skiing competitions, and consistently rated as one of the top ski and snowboard resorts in the world, is Games-ready -- with an unprecedented 9.9 metres (32 feet) of snow. The first alpine athletes start their training on designated training runs on February 5 and on the Olympic courses on February 10. The first alpine competition is the Men's Downhill on February 13, the first day of Games competition.
"International Olympic Committee delegates recently skied the course and were very pleased with the results," says Tim Gayda, Vice President of Sport, VANOC. "From the beginning of the season, VANOC and Whistler Blackcomb crews have worked hard together to prepare the courses to create a very dense base of snow that involved a massive snowmaking effort. Add to that the incredible amount of natural snow that has fallen in Whistler this season, and we're now ready to deliver an Olympic-class alpine skiing venue that will live up to the reputation that the renowned Dave Murray Downhill course holds the world over. We look forward to debuting the spectacular new woman's course on Franz's Run. VANOC has now taken over the Men's and Women's courses entirely from Whistler Blackcomb ski operations and we're in to the home stretch on our final preparations."

Deep snow at Whistler Blackcomb is not unusual, but reaching the average annual snowfall (10.13 metres/ 33 feet) this early is truly unique. Since snow reporting began in the 1979/80 season, this is the first time that Whistler Blackcomb has received this much snow by the end of January. The prior record was set in 2006/07 when 945 centimetres or 31 feet of snow fell by January 31.
Whistler Info

OLympic Torch Arrival Revives Spirit of '88 Games

Kananaskis Village, AB - There is no other ski resort in Canada that shares Olympic Spirit like Nakiska Ski Resort, host of the 1988 Olympic downhill events and official National Training Centre of Alpine Canada Alpin. Relive Nakiska's Olympic history and revive the spirit on Olympic Spirit Day, Wednesday January 20th, when day 83 of the Olympic Torch Relay brings the eternal flame to Nakiska Ski Resort.
The pre-party celebration begins on Tuesday January 19th with the Monster Energy Hospitality Rig at Nakiska. Skiers and snowboarders will get revved up with Monster Energy drink samples and pumping tunes while they wait in anticipation on the eve of the Torch Relay arriving at Nakiska.
The party amplifies with Olympic Spirit Day on Wednesday January 20th. Festivities commence with a fantastic morning of skiing and snowboarding at Nakiska Ski Resort (lift ticket/season pass required) followed by a live DJ spinning on the upper deck of the Daylodge from 12pm-2pm along with a festive BBQ in the plaza (à la carte, weather permitting). The ceremonial Torch carrying will take place shortly after 1pm. Cheering spectators will watch as a parade of Nakiska ski club athletes proudly ski down the North Axe run waving Canadian flags as the Torch hand-off takes place at the Silver Chair Express base.
Come show your Olympic Spirit by wearing everything red (mittens, hats, shirts, etc.), waving Canadian flags, and elevating the spirit for our athletes. Guests are invited to come out to Nakiska and enjoy the festive atmosphere in the plaza and watch the Torch exchange at no expense. Skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of an amazing afternoon Olympic Spirit Day lift ticket special for $19.88 + GST (lift access from 12:30pm - 4:00pm).
Nakiska Info

Nakiska with Best New Year Snow and Olympic Spirit Revival

Kananaskis, AB - Nakiska Ski Resort is in the top snowfalls for the last 48hrs in the Alberta Rockies with 11cm's of fresh snow. With tonnes of early season snowfall and the largest snowmaking system in Alberta, the new natural snow amps up the already superb skiing and snowboarding conditions at Nakiska Ski Resort.

The New Year snow creates an excitement around the resort that Nakiska will carry through with a welcoming of the Olympic Torch Relay on Wednesday Jan 20th. There is no other ski resort in Canada that shares the Olympic Spirit like Nakiska Ski Resort, host of the 1988 Olympic downhill events and official National Training Centre of Alpine Canada Alpin.
Nakiska Ski Resort is proud to be part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. Our spirit is infectious, so come share your support on Jan 20th and wear your Red Mittens, Red Hats or anything you have that is RED to share the spirit of the Games. We want a SEA of RED to support our Canadian Athletes as they compete against the best in the world at the 2010 Olympic Games.
Be part of this special event by re-igniting the spirit of the flame at Nakiska Ski Resort and sharing the goodwill of 1988 Olympic legacy! Nakiska Ski Resort is proud to be the official site of the Canadian National Alpine Championships as we continue to do all we can to support Canadian athletes to be the very best they can be. National Team Olympic Training Camps will be taking place at Nakiska from February 1-20, 2010.
Nakiska Resort Info