Far West Skiing

The Far West Alpine Competition Committee has an athlete representative position open. 

Athletes must be U16 or older starting with the 2019-2020 season and willing to participate as a liason between the competition committee and the athletes. The Alpine Competition Committee works on the policies and rules of the Far West Division, along with receiving communications about policies and rules from the National Governing Body and the Western Region Alpine Competition Committee.

Atheltes that are interested in need to send a letter of introduction and why you would be a good athlete representative to the Far West Alpine Competition Committee by August 1st.

Welcome to summer training block and preparation for the 2020 Competition Season. 

1. All Tahoe Race Series and Age Class Schedules are now posted on their respective pages.

2.  Tahoe League has a name change to Tahoe Race Series!

3. Please take note of  NEW NEW NEW  announcements on each age class page.  

4. Updated Late Fee policy: $40 for tech events and $45 for speed events

5.  Reminder that athletes with the age class of Senior are required to submit an intent to compete email/communication to the Far West Office by August 15th in order to be placed on the FWST, FW Pace Team and FIS event selection boards.

6. Far West Academic Team recognizes Srs - U16 athletes from the 2019 season (YOB 1997-2004) that raced as Far West members whose GPA for Spring Semester was 3.5 or better. The athletes must be registered Sr-U16 during the Spring Academic period. Athletes are invited to send a legible copy of hte spring report card to the FWS office ([email protected]) by September 15th, in order to be named to the Far West Academic Team. The Far West Academic Team will be announced on the FWS skiing website by September 17th.

7. Scholarships - any scholarships that become available will be posted on the FWS Homepage and Facebook pages. Currently the Masters Scholarship is posted and soon the Dave Van Ruiten along with the Marce Herz Foundation Scholarship will be added. These applications will be due Fall of 2019. Please pay close attention to scholarship deadlines.

8. Fall Assessments - athletes in the age classes of U14 and older should be participating in Physical Assessments two times a year. This year the Far West is trying a new approach to utilize the best facilities possible. The following clubs will host assessments open to anyone within the Far West Division to participate: Sugar Bowl, Mammoth and Squaw Valley. Fall assessments dates will be announced and posted by the end of the summer.

9. Far West Fall Convention and Regional Club of Excellence will be held November 1-3, 2019. 

10. Please check out the updated membership structure chart from US Ski and Snowboard that is posted on the FWS homepage.

11. The Far West Office is officially closed during the month of July so communications may be delayed by a few days while I am away.

Now is the time to make sure you are subscribed to the correct age class newsletters for the 2020 season. Please check the age class listed on your newlsetter today and if it is correct you will need to do nothing. If you need to add an age class please do so on the Far West Skiing Homepage, and if you need to unsubscribe then please do that at the bottom of your newlsetter.

Thank you and have a great summer!
Far West Skiing
 

Far West Masters Scholarship Program
2019-2020
Application

We encourage all Far West Skiing Alpine athletes 13-20 years old to apply. Scholarships are awarded based on a combination of (and in order of importance) exemplary work ethic, academic scholarship, citizenship, financial need, and race results. Applications are due by September 15^th 2019. Award winners are announced in mid-November. Funds are then placed into racers’ accounts from which they may draw upon during the season for racing expenses.  In return for funding, the Masters ask that recipients forerun one of their races and speak at an awards ceremony. The experience has proven to be quite fun as it allows a junior athlete to show off their stuff and to thank the Masters in person for their support.  Your participation by speaking and selling raffle tickets at our awards parties is an important contribution to our fund-raising efforts and it helps to teach about “giving back”.  

As always, it is an honor to receive applications from such a great group of athletes. Thank you in advance for applying.

Eddie Mozen,
Chairman Masters Scholarship Fund

Far West Masters Scholarship Application
(Application Guidelines & Instructions)

1. Entire applications may be submitted on line at the Far West SKIING website www.fwskiing.org (preferred method of submission)

2. Applications may be sent as a hard copy to Far West Masters Scholarship Program c/o Eddie Mozen; PO Box 3718; Olympic Valley, Calif. 96146. If sending a hard copy, please send 3 copies of the entire application.
3. You may include a return postcard to ensure that your application was received on time and is complete. 
4. Please provide 3 letters of recommendation: one from your parent or guardian, one from a peer (someone of similar age to you) and one from a teacher, academic advisor or community leader (we do not need a coach letter).  Letters should focus on work ethic, academic scholarship, citizenship, leadership, financial need, and obstacles or personal difficulties you have overcome. These letters need to be signed by the author.
5. Please provide a copy of your most recent report card and previous year’s transcript from your school. If not in school, please explain your circumstances.
6. Applications must be complete and received by September 15^th, 2019.  Consider getting applications in early. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 
7. Please include a  3x3 color head and shoulder picture of yourself to be used for publicity purposes

8. BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

This application process is rigorous, but it is an exercise to give you experience for your college application process. Fill out the application yourself. You will be much more satisfied with the result when you put in the effort.
Write what YOU think, feel and believe...don’t write what you think we want to hear. This is your chance to be yourself and distinguish yourself from others. 

The Masters Scholarship can be applied for online by clicking here, preferred method, or by submitting a hard copy which can be downloaded by clicking here.

There are no changes to the Far West pricing structure for the 2020 season. The National Membership pricing structure is increasing after many years due to fees for safesport training and background screening for all that are 18 years of age and older. 
 

To All Parents and Coaches involved with U12 and younger athletes, take a moment to catch up with the rules that were passed during the 2019 May Congress Meetings. These rules go into affect for the 2020 season and are a goal to cut down on the cost of ski racing plus being aware of the environment and health of the athletes. 

Rule 1:
At U12 and under competitions. We recommend each division hold two races next season (2019-2020) that do not allow speed suits showing.

Rule 2:
U12 and under competitors are only allowed to use one (1) pair of skis per race (inspections & competition). Parents, coaches or technicians are not allowed to furnish additional pairs of skis for use during race day inspections or competition. Non-compliance may result in NPS or depending on circumstance, DSQ (proven violation after start).

Rule 3:
U12 and under competitors should refrain from using fluorinated wax. In any case, application of any type of waxing solution must not be applied at U12 and under competition venues. Use of ski preparation benches at the U12 and under competition venue is not allowed.

The Grand Prix series is scored for U19’s as a series to qualify for scholarships to be used for the following season. The places are determined by adding up the total World Cup Points earned during ALL the races listed in the Grand Prix series for that season. Each race is scored by separating only the U19 class. Foreign, out of division, current USST and U16 participants in each race are removed and results are sorted by class prior to assigning WCP’s for each race. Athletes must have competed in at least half of the scheduled Grand Prix races in order to qualify for the scholarships.

Overall Champions from the Grand Prix Series will be awarded the following:

            1^st  place – U19 men/women       $1800 Scholarship 
             2019 Recipients:    Gunnar Barnwell and Maya Wong

            2^nd place – U19 men/women       $900 Scholarship
             2019 Recipients: Chili Messner and Jillian Larrabee

            3^rd  place – U19 men/women      $600 Scholarship
            2019 Recipients: William Lewison and Elizabeth Scott

Full standings can be viewed on the U19+ Schedules and Results page under the Grand Prix Standings Section.

Congratulations to this years recipients, funds are available for use after July 1, 2019!

Around 12:30 on Easter Sunday the 2019 Far West Skiing race season concluded. A season to remember....not enough snow to run our Night Slaloms over the holidays to eventuatlly having to cancel due to too much snow and power supply issues on the summit. So much snow in February that we ran only 31% of our races,  a successful WR Jr Championships event held by Alpine Meadows utilizing both Alpine and Squaw to make it happen, and running into lightening strikes close to the venue during the final days of SG racing! Congratulations to all athletes, coaches, officials and race organizers on a great season! We would also like to take a moment to send off those seniors or PG athletes as they head off into racing at USCSA, NCAA and Masters Racing levels. We with you the best in all that you do and hope to see you on the hill somewhere again soon!

During Divisional Championship events we had the opportunity to recognize age class champions and during the SG final we were able to take a moment to recognize some Outstanding indviduals for their accomplishments and leadership during the 2019 season!

Awarded during their Championships Events
U10 Championships
Richmond Cup Winners: Caroline Ehrman (KSEF) and Blaise Turnbull (KSEF)
Jeff Todd Cup (Sportsmanship Award): Caroline Ehrman (KSEF) 
Rasmussen (Overall Team): Squaw Valley Ski Team
U10 Team Parallel Cup: Kirkwood Ski Team

U12 Championships:
Allan Cup Winners: Maya Eisner (MMST) and Oscar Whelan (SVST)
Marco Sullivan Cup (Sportsmanship Award): Simone Dessens
Poulson Cup (Overall Team): Squaw Valley Ski Team
U12 Team Parallel Cup: Mammoth Mountain Ski Team

U14 Championships:
McKinney Cup: Carly Hamilton (SVST)
Rahlves Cup: David Morken (SVST)
Andy Mead Lawrence Cup (Sportsmanship): Adam Brown (NSST)
Cushing Cup (Overall Team): Squaw Valley Ski Team
Team Parallel Cup was cancelled due to weather during the 2019 season

Awarded on 4.21 at the conclusion of the SG Finals
Wild West Winners:
The Wild West series awards the athletes with the best overall combined World Cup Point results from the race contested in the Wild West Series during the 2019 season. This year’s results are based on two weekends of racing, and tech only, since the SG’s were cancelled due to the February snow accumulation.

Girls 3^rd place Ella Williams from Sugar Bowl
Girls 2^nd place Erica Lynch from Mammoth
Girls 1^st  place Amelia Jones from Sugar Bowl

Boys 3^rd place Evan Lear from Sugar Bowl
Boys 2^nd Place Karsten Hart from Sugar Bowl
Boys 1^st place Zachary Bower from Sugar Bowl

Special Awards
Jill Kinmont was an up and coming ski racer out of the Mammoth area in the 1950’s. The Jill Kinmont award recognizes the outstanding performance from an athlete in the SR age class, YOB 1997 and older.

Jordan Cashman (SVST) has served as an athlete and coach during the 18.19 season. Jordan has raced very calm this season with great results in the Far West, but watching him lead in this position has been even more amazing. Providing guidance through inspection to younger athletes, encouragement throughout the day are all more of what the Far West Division needs as athletes look up to and embark on their racing journey.

Jinny Glass award recognizes the outstanding performance from an athlete in the U19/U21 age class, YOB 1998-2002
Matthew Smallhouse (DPST) grew up in Reno, NV and is member of the Diamond Peak Ski Team. Matt has shown dedication, patients, and determination this season through his adoption of a process learning mindset. He has learned to take responsibility of his outcomes and has developed the skills to be independent, reliable, and self-motivated. Matt has improved his skiing technically and tactically, while also serving as a role-model for his teammates and younger athletes. Matt continues to show passion for the sport and finds joy in training, racing, and free skiing. Matt’s results reflect his hard work and he continues to prove himself as a dominant racer in the Far West and Western Region. Matt was the top ranked Far West U19 in five of the six contested races at the Western Region Jr. Championships and earned himself a spot on the Western Region SR and JR National Team. It has been a great pleasure coaching Matt this season and I am confident he will continue improving as a racer and a responsible adult as he transitions to a college level athlete.

Keely Cashman (SVST/US Ski Team)
Keely is a class act and hard worker, from camps to championships. Keely has had many success throughout the year with wins at the Nor Am level, taking third overall in the Nor Am Cup Standings, and topping off the season as the US National GS Champion! She is consistently a valuable role-model and mentor for younger ladies.

Bobby Mehrhof was a member of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Team that enjoyed ski racing throughout his life. The Bobby Mehrhof award recognizes the outstanding performance from an athlete in the U16 age class, YOB 2003-2004.
Ryan Herhusky (SBST)
Ryan is not only an accomplished racer but a team leader both on the hill and in the classroom. Ryan has been racing in Far West since he was 4 years old. He was selected for the U16 NPS in both 2018 and 2019 and was 6th in slalom at the Burke NPS project this year. He also was 2nd in the Proctor Holiday Slalom. He won the Western Region Slalom Qualifier at Squaw (1st U16, 4th overall), took 4th in slalom at Western Regions in Sun Valley and qualified for U16 Nationals where he was 11th in slalom and 14th in Super G. Despite his extensive traveling for racing, he maintains an A average in his classes. He is passionate about ski racing and consistently exhibits great sportsmanship and support for his teammates and fellow racers.

Alison Mollin (SVST)
A local Tahoe girl. Alison is dedicated and hardworking. Her results at the U16 Regional Championships qualified her for U16 National Championships. She is all character and a great competitor.

Bill Mackay Award recognizes an outstanding race organizer and organizing committee for the current season.
Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Race Dept. worked so hard this season (the BIG winter) to put on quality race series.  Even with the U14 series and the U16+ SG’s cancelled, the dept and operations put in so much effort to try and make it happen.  All of the events hosted had quality snow conditions because of the preparation effort and work during the event.  I would especially point out the Western Region Champ series with six days dedicating split venues, amazing race surface, and giving the award ceremonies the pomp and circumstance deserved - something we don't always see for our u19 athletes.

Dave McCoy award recognizes the most outstanding coach for the current season.
Lindsay Dowd, SVST U16 Head Coach
Originally from the east, N Conway Mass. Lindsay is known for her presence. What only few know is her endless commitment to athlete betterment always seeking more knowledge and better understanding of the process. She is dedicated to making our FW youth better people and better athletes.

Stanley Walton Award recognizes an outstanding official for the current season.
Missy Brannen Mammoth Race Department Race Administrator
nothing seems to frazzle Missy. She calmly works through many events at all levels from Far West age class racing, FIS races, Snowboard and Freestyle/Freeski, too. She reviews and prepares for each level of event she is working, along with understanding the rules for that group prior to arrival. She always greets her officials and coaches with a smile along with welcoming families and helping resolve their issues

During the Holiday Training Block all U12 families should have received their own copy of the Far West Development Initiative book from their Program Director or Head Coach. 

What is the Far West Development Initiative?
Mission: Support collaboration of divisional programs and coaches in the development of successful Far West ski racers, with the goal of being the best Division in the Nation.

The purpose of the Far West Development Initiation book is to be a valuable resource for each athlete/parent/coach. In it are the fundamentals of ski racing - the absolute basics that even the best World Cup racers come back to refine. It is a visual guide to see how the fundamentals are executed at the highest level. The guide is desgned to be used by the athlete and parent. At the rear of the manual are key concepts that are illustrated by photos.  A seperate 'Coaches Pocket Guide' was also developed to allow the coaches to use these key concepts and visuals on the hill, too!

The guide is designed to help the athlete, and includes a 'Parent's Corner' too.  A section devoted to parents on 'How to support your athlete', information on equipment needs, plus the National/Regional and Divisional Structure. A glossary of terms that the programs of the Far West agree will help all coaches, athletes and families speak in the same terms as athletes develop.

The book is a colaboration of Far West Program Directors and Head Coaches along with experts in the field to bring the best Development Initiative Book to each and everyone of you!

Is it avaialbe and usable by age classes outside of U12? Absolutely!
The Far West Development Initiative book is a valuable resource for all age classes and can be purchased on the Far West website by either visiting the FWDI tab across the top bar of the Far West website, or by clicking on this FWDI link.

This Development Initiative provided to each U12 family and U12 coach was funded by private donations as a valuable resource in the progress of each athletes journey in ski racing. If you would like to donate towards the Far West Development Initiative please click here.
Far West Skiing is a 501c3 California not for profit organization and all donations are tax deductable.

Questions about the Development Initiative? Contact the Far West Skiing Office, [email protected]