New FIS Ski Regulations 2013/2014

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We hope everyone is enjoying Summer Break.

Next season will come quick and we want to make sure athletes are prepared with equipment needs.

For the U18/U21 age group that will be racing FIS next season, there are changes in ski regulations regarding length and turn radius. Most notably GS skis will now have to be 35meters for men and 30meters for women. Please check this link for all new regs- http://alpine.usskiteam.com/sites/default/files/documents/athletics/alpine/2013-14/documents/2014_alp_equipment_final.pdf

For those U18/U21 athletes not going to race any FIS races, USSA regulations have not changed.  Please ask us with any questions regarding these new changes.Contact Pete at ppostroski@gmail.com or Aaron at aaron.gvsef@gmail.com.

If there is interest in ordering Blizzard skis or Tecnica boots please contact Pete for race pricing.

‘May Letter’ from Juniors Director

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Dear Juniors,

As I reflect on the past 2012/2013 ski season I can confidently say that we had an awesome season! Strong athletic results and events organization contributed to a great year. U16 West Championships was our big highlight! Thanks to each and every volunteer who helped make this event happen. Thanks to Alex vonWichman, Cary Lukes, Tracy Dunn, Paul Ingrim, Rob Lundgren, Chris Armstrong, and Paul Crews for working every single day of event plus many days before. The staff received thank you cards from multiple outside parents who extended appreciation to our organization for being such great hosts. When collectively we rise to the occasion and are recognized by others it makes me proud to belong to Alyeska Ski Club and I hope you do to.

I am a firm believer that the strength of our club and direction of our program should be about the athletes. As a club we pride ourselves in the athletic accomplishments of our athletes and our mission is to develop a club that promotes athlete development for all abilities. I want to share with you the ‘Junior Team Goals’ the Coaches defined last Fall:

  1. Make Skiing Cool- “In other words” develop a culture of winter recreation and love for skiing.
  1. Qualify Athletes for Western Region Projects
    • Goal accomplished! Juniors had five (5) athletes recently named to U16 Western Region Projects. Congratulations to Margo Lane, Frances Carlisle, Amanda Lundgren, Hannah Lukes, & Garrett Mashburn.
  1. Teach Fundamentals- Develop skills and reinforce proper muscle memory with specific drills.
  1. Summer 2013
    • Ski camps, Strength training & Dryland, WR Projects

It is the end of the school year (Congratulations Seniors) and now I want to turn your attention to a number of Juniors Program Summer and Fall activities:

  1. Donny & Bre will again offer a one-day per week complimentary Summer Dryland program beginning mid-June. This program is open to all current or prospective Juniors but you must have current waivers on-file at the club. STAY TUNED for the EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENT.
  1. Summer Ski Camps- Get your miles on-snow. Be it France or Mt. Hood summer skiing is the perfect place to rework the basics and make big strides with your technique.
    1. I’m excited at the number of athletes going to France. Skiing is a year round sport. There are so many programs out there that are attending training camps year-round. Summer and Fall skiing will see athletes progress and develop more rabidly.
  2. Stay Tuned for the ANNOUNCEMENT OF A SUMMER BIKE CAMP at Alyeska. Tentative Dates August 2-5 & August 9-12.
    1. Anyone see that Coach Pete Ostroski raced his first European World Cup Mountain Bike? That is damn cool. Congratulations Pete! We’re rooting for you.
  3. Fall Dryland Programs will begin September 1st. Alpine skiing rewards fitness and don’t wait until the Fall. Dryland training begins NOW!
  4. Fall Colorado Ski Camp- Mark your calendar. Tentative Dates November 7-16. This camp will be open to U14, U16, and U18 athletes. Alyeska Resort’s opening date is November 28th 2013, which means Colorado is a must for our athletes.

Lastly I’d like to recognize some of our athlete performances (both past and current) this winter:

  • Margo Lane- U16 WR Slalom 7th Place & Top-10 Overall
  • Amanda Lundgren- U16 WR Top-10 Overall
  • Garrett Mashburn- U16 WR GS Top-20 Finish
  • Ashlee Weller- U16 WR Slalom Top-15 Finish
  • Juliette Parke- U16 National GS Champion and 2013 Selection to Team Academy
  • Sydney Henegan- U18 National Championship GS Top-5 Finish
  • Sarah Powell- WRJC U18 Super G 3rd Place & Top-10 Spring Series Downhill
  • Charlie Lamb- U14 IMD Champs & AK GS Champion
  • Austin Erikson- U14 AK State Overall Champion
  • April Ingrim- U14 AK State GS Champion
  • Brenna Petrie- U14 AK State Slalom Champion
  • Pete Ostroski- 2013 Skimeister

Next season is coming fast and soon we’ll be back on the slopes. Recently announced the 2014 U16 Western Championships will be at….. Jackson Hole’s The Village and Western Region Junior Championships will be hosted by Squaw Valley.

Please contact me with any questions for the coming season, equipment needs (New ski rules go into effect for FIS races next winter), program feedback, general comments, references, what have you… have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Aaron Stiassny

Director

GVSEF- Alyeska Ski Club Juniors

aaron.gvsef@gmail.com

c.907.830.8139

AK Skimeister Update

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Ready for the Skimeister….It’s shaping up to be a great inaugural event. Conditions are ideal and weather calls for more sun.

Saturday morning mandatory check-in at the base of the Tram for all participants 9am-10am.

Nordic & Bike equipment can be left with volunteer security at the Alyeska Resort Beacon. Please leave equipment in designated drop-off locations. PLEASE park in the overflow Church Parking. DO NOT PARK AT ALYESKA HOTEL PARKING.

There will be a waiver station, registration and check-in station, and bib hand-off station for all participants. If you need to pay we will collect checks (made out to GVSEF) or cash and collect credit card information. Registration for Alpine race will close at 10:00am. Same-day registration for Nordic & Bike participants will close at 10:30am.

All Alpine participants will begin Early Loading the Tram at 10:00am. Access to the North Face will be through the SunDeck Gate. This is a one-time access. There is no inspection for Alpine GS on Jims Branch North Face. Competitors will ski to the venue and complete their Alpine leg. Don’t ski below Start Gate or you’ll have to hike back up.

Excited to have three great races! Good luck to all competitors.

Aaron

AK Skimeister Early Registration Deadline Today

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Please Register Online for the AK Skimeister today for Early Registration Fees:

  • $25 Juniors– Increasing to $35
  • $30 Adult— Increasing to $40
  • $75 Team (of 3) increasing to $100

Only want to race in the Alpine that’s ok. Register for 1-3 races. The Alpine Race will be top-to-bottom Jims Branch North Face! What a cool venue. We may never have another chance to race a Giant Slalom on the North Face. Conditions are sick and it should be exciting to watch some of the US Nordic Ski Team race Alpine!!!!

 

AK Skimeister Challenge– Early Registration Deadline Extended till April 10th

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EVERYONE Getting Stoked for the AK SKIMEISTER CHALLENGE APRIL 13, 2013!

This is the Juniors End-of-Season Celebration with Silent Auction & Kurt’s Band performing at Challenge Building for the after party. Make sure your athletes register for this event. Only want to participate in the Alpine Race (and forego Nordic & Bike Race) that’s OK. The Alpine portion of the AK Skimeister Challenge is scheduled to take place on Jims Branch North Face. How cool is that! A Giant Slalom race on the North Face. The race will be a one-run timed race. Athletes can also form Teams of 3 with Alpine, Nordic, & Bike participants. Subway Lunch provided for participants. Alpine Race starts 10:00am Early Ride.

Proceeds from the event are split between Challenge Alaska and Alyeska Ski Club Juniors & Devos programs. Challenge Alaska proceeds benefit the Adaptive Race Program and provide athlete travel to US Team Camps & Outside Races. GVSEF proceeds will benefit a new $2,000 allocation toward athlete enrollment scholarships and continuing coaches education.

AK SKIMEISTER CHALLENGE- 3 Races in 1 day consisting of an Alpine, Nordic, & Fat Tire Bike Race. Adult, Junior, Team, & Family Divisions and Prizes awarded for Winners.
SILENT AUCTION- The Race Program Silent Auction will take place at the Challenge Building. Bidding starts at noon and will last until 8:00 PM. Items include: summer sightseeing packages, local day trip activities, b & b stays, spa gift packages, artwork, framed photographs, desserts, skis, AND MUCH MORE. HAVE AN ITEM, ARTWORK, PRINT OR GIFT CERTIFICATE YOU WANT TO DONATE TO THE EVENT DROP IT AT THE RTC.
VOLUNTEERING- Interested in helping out with the event? We are looking for volunteers to help with athlete registration tables, parking attendants, kitchen help, on hill alpine course, on trail help Nordic course, clean up crew, misc. positions.
Come support the Challenge Alaska Competition Program and Alyeska Ski Club Juniors & Devos Programs on April 13th and have some fun at the same time! There will be food, live music and a party following the days events. For more information, check out AK Skimeister at Challenge Alaska website or visit AK SKIMEISTER FACEBOOK. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Calendar of Events

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March 30-31- U14 State Championships at Eaglecrest in Juneau

Friday April 12th- Brian Russell Memorial Dual Parallel Event on Tanaka. Wear your costumer. After School 4-7pm. U12, U14, U16, FIS, & Masters Categories. U10s welcome to participate and ski-up.

Saturday April 13th- AK Skimeister & Bike Challenge

  • Juniors, Devos, & Mighty Mites welcome to participate
  • Inaugural Event with Alpine, Nordic, & Fat Tire Bike Races
  • ALPINE EVENT is SCHEDULED For JIMS BRANCH NORTH FACE
    • Traditional GS Course
  • Take a look at rules and information under the AK Skimeister Tab
  • Early Registration Deadline April 1st, 2013