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Thursday, 30 April 2009
Featured events include X-Country, Junior X-Country, Hill Climb, Hill-X, Drag Race, Sno-X, and a Vintage Tired Iron Closed Course Event and Show and Shine.
Cost is $5 per person to view the events on Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3
The Sitzmark Bar and Grill will be open from 11am – 2am on Friday & Saturday, May 1 & 2, serving food until midnight.
Live music by Andy & the Avalanche begins at 9pm with a $3 cover charge.
Sunday, May 3 Sitzmark hours: 11am – 10pm
Overnight Parking available in the Daylodge parking lot
$2 – Trailers
$5 – Vehicles
$20 – Motor homes
Cost is per vehicle/per day
Schedule of Events
Thursday, April 30
Sign-up & Registration from 7pm – 9pm at the Peanut Farm (Old Seward & International Airport Road)
Friday, May 1
Saturday, May 2
Sunday May 3
9am – 10am Late sign up for Sno-X and Vintage Race @ Sitzmark
11am Sno-X (in front of Sitzmark)
Between Heat 1 & 2 of Sno-X: Vintage Race (1985 or older)
5pm Awards @ Sitzmark
9am – 10am Late sign up for X-Country, Hill-X and Drags @ Daylodge
11am X-Country (Daylodge Area)
12:30pm Late sign up for Hill-X and Drags
1pm Hill-X (Daylodge Area)
4:30pm Drag Race (Daylodge Area)
7pm Freestyle Show (Daylodge Area)
8pm – 9pm Sign up for Sno-X and Vintage Race @ Sitzmark
9pm Andy & the Avalanche @ Sitzmark Bar & Grill $3 cover charge9am – 10am Late sign up for Hill Climb @ Daylodge
11am Hill Climb (Daylodge Area)
7:30pm – 9pm Hill-X and Sno-X sign up @ Sitzmark Bar & Grill
9pm Andy & the Avalanche @ Sitzmark Bar & Grill $3 cover charge
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
I was recently given a copy of the Northrim Bank 2008-2009 Alaska Economic Overview. To read this document, right click here and 'Save As' this 1.5 MB Acrobat file.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
With a month off this winter due to a pulled muscle, I am still trying to get in some skiing. Alyeska Resort will be open on May 30 and 31 from 11 AM to 5 PM. Access the mountain via the Tram and ski Chair Six. Conditions permitting. Lift tickets will be $35, but one can ski that day on next year's season pass at no extra charge. Speaking of next year's season pass, if you are holding one you can ski the mountain during the Summer Camp from June 3 to 7.
Monday, 27 April 2009
The Four Valleys Community School will be hosting a fundraiser at The Sitzmark on Saturday May 9 from 6:00 PM until 1:00 AM the following morning. Melissa Mitchell will be playing from 6:30 PM until 7:30 PM. The Photonz will be playing from 8:00 PM until 1:00 AM. Kids are welcome until 10:00 PM. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for kids. Late admission (after 10 PM) is $15. Tickets are available at the Four Valleys Community School office, Girdwood Books and News, and at the door. Ticket proceeds benefit Four Valleys Community School. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at The Sitzmark.
Friday, 24 April 2009
Daily Real Estate News | April 20, 2009
Housing Market Faces New Rules for Appraisals
The housing industry is facing new national rules for real estate appraisals, which will ban mortgage brokers from ordering valuations and divert more business to third-party appraisal management companies.
Lenders seeking to sell their loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will have to adopt the home valuation code of conduct; but they have expressed some concern about the new standard, which takes effect on May 1.
Lenders can still focus on FHA financing, considering the agency has its own appraisal rules and does not plan to adopt the code of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Source: Realty Times, Kenneth R. Harney (04/20/09)
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Enjoy the long days of spring at Alyeska Resort!
Stick around after the Slush Cup and get a few more turns in the corn.
Saturday, April 25 we will extend our lift hours (all lifts):
Hours of operation
10:30am - 8:00pm
Last day of the ski season: Sunday April 26
Hours of operation
10:30am - 5:30pm
Season Passes for the 2009/2010 season go on sale May 22
Buy your pass and ski on May 30 & 31 for free!
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Thursday, April 23
DJ Night at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill with DJ Roam - 10pm – 2am FREE!
Nervis Rex at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill – 10pm – 2am - $5 cover charge
Saturday, April 25
Extended chairlift hours! - 10:30am – 8:00pm. Lifts to operate will be determined according to snow coverage and lighting.
Registration for ALL Spring Carnival events will take place in the Sitzmark from 10am – 2:30pm. Pre-registration is required for the Slush Cup and you must be present at the Sitzmark at 2:30 for a chance to compete.
Kid’s Fun Zone – Located at Bear Cub Quad (Chair 3) – Face painting, games and prizes for the little ones. 11am – 2pm
Kiddie Slalom Race – Located at Bear Cub Quad (Chair 3) - Fun race for children ages 2 to 7. Kids can practice racing in bibs through gates. 11am – 1pm
LaVoy, a youth band comparable to U2, will play at the VIP viewing area at the Challenge Alaska building near the Slush Cup pond from 1pm – 3pm FREE!
Idiot Swim Across – Any idiot can swim across the Slush Cup pond just for the fun of it. We dare ya! - 3:30pm – FREE!
32nd Annual KWHL Slush Cup – Competitors dressed in zany costumes try to skim across a 90 foot long pool of freezing water for a chance to win a 09/10 season pass. Alyeska Resort’s biggest event of the season with announcers Bob and Mark! – 4pm
Slush Cup Pond Skim – Right after the Slush Cup a snow machine will attempt to skim the pond. Will he succeed or be all washed up?
Blueberry Hill Terrain Park Freestyle Competition – Music and beverage tent featuring DJ Aristocat during the competition. 5:30pm – 7:30pm $25 to enter the comp.
Kid’s Night Out at the Daylodge – A party night for children age 2 – 12 years old. $25 entry fee includes a pizza party, inflatable bouncy house and mechanical rides, arts and crafts and more! 7:00 – 8:30pm
Nervis Rex at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill from 10pm – 2am - $5 cover charge
Sunday, April 26
Kiddie 4 – Trax rides – Short tours available in the sled behind the Ski School’s 4 Trax for kids 2 – 10 years old. FREE! 11am – 3pm
Pop, Lock & Stomp It! Air Competition – Competition will take place on Half Moon (off Chair 6) from noon – 3pm. $25 entry fee. Winner takes all for the grand prize of an all day heli trip in Haines and ABC motor home rental
Dummy Race – Create your own “dummy” to slide down Tanaka trail. Judges give points for distance and originality. 60 lb weight limit.
DJ Ariel & DJ Cross play at the Sitmark. DJ Ariel @ 3pm and DJ Cross @ 7pm FREE!
Glacier Valley Tug Of War – Competing teams of up to 5 people per team battle it out to stay dry and out of the Slush Cup pond. Last team standing wins. 4pm – 5pm $25/team
End of season party with DJ Aristocat at the Sitzmark from 9pm – 2am $6 cover charge. www.djaristocat.com
Friday, April 24
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
April 15, 2009
Happy Talk
Written by Jeff Thredgold, CSP, President, Thredgold Economic Associates
The “dismal science” of economics typically focuses on “bad” news. We clearly face many significant challenges…no argument here. However, there are also many favorable developments taking place within the U.S. economy. This is our semi-annual update of “Happy Talk.” This Tea Leaf focuses ONLY on the “good” news…
• The consensus of forecasting economists still expects a return to positive (not impressive, but positive) U.S. economic growth during this year’s third quarter
• Between 1980 and 2007, total emissions of major air pollutants within the U.S. dropped by 52%
• The number of people who have quit smoking (46 million) now exceeds the number who still smoke (45 million). Roughly 21% of adults smoke today, versus nearly half in the early 1950s
• A recent poll of more than 12,000 global business figures conducted by the World Economic Forum ranked the U.S. as the world’s most competitive economy
• Traffic deaths per 100 million miles traveled during 2008 were the lowest on record
• Conventional thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages have been between 4.75% and 5.15% in recent weeks, some of the lowest levels on record
• The number of new cancer cases and deaths are falling for the first time since the government began compiling a report on long-term trends
• U.S. exports to China have risen roughly 24% per year since 2001, making China the fastest growing market for U.S. goods
• Incomes for the poorest one-fifth of all earners have grown an average of 3.9% annually since 1994, slightly outpacing the 3.4%-3.6% average gain of those in the middle three-fifths of incomes
• Average U.S. life expectancy has reached 78 years (men 75, women 80), the highest ever. This compares to 76 years in 1995, 68 years in 1950, and 47 years in 1900
• For every dollar of U.S. economic output generated today, we burn less than half as much oil as 30 years ago
• U.S. stock prices have risen roughly 25% during the past five weeks, the strongest rally in more than 70 years. The stock market—typically focused 6-9 months ahead—sees a return to U.S. economic growth
• U.S. military deaths in Iraq during 2008 plunged by two-thirds versus the prior year
• The U.S. trade deficit with the world fell for the seventh straight month in February to a nine-year low of $26 billion
• The number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. declined by an estimated 1.3 million (to 11.2 million) between August 2007 and May 2008. Stronger enforcement and fewer job opportunities contributed to the decline
• Children’s deaths from unintentional injury have dropped by almost 40% since 1987. Bicycle deaths fell 60%, while firearms-related deaths fell 72%
• Roughly 30% of trash was recycled or composted in the latest year, versus 16% in 1990
• A record 50.5 million foreigners visited the U.S. during 2008
• Men’s contribution to housework has doubled over the past 40 years, while their time spent on child care has tripled
• The number of miners killed on the job in the U.S. fell to 51 during 2008, the lowest since recordkeeping began nearly a century ago
• Seat belt usage by Americans was at 82% in 2007, versus 49% in 1990 and 14% in 1983
• A record 29% of men have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, versus 26% of women, also a record. This compares to a combined 7.7% in 1960. A record 84.6% of adults over age 25 now have at least a high school diploma, versus 24.5% in 1940
• The number of people using public transportation hit a 52-year high during 2008
• Violent crime declined 3.5% during 2008’s first half versus the prior year. Violent crime overall is down 55% since 1993, with violence by teens down 71%. School violence has declined by half from a decade ago
• Donations to charity set an all-time high in 2007, with more than $300 billion donated by individuals, foundations, and corporations. As a percentage of GDP, Americans gave twice as much as the next most charitable nation…England
• Productivity of the average U.S. worker rose an average of 2.6% annually during the past 10 years, the largest gains in 40 years. Rising productivity is a long-term key to higher standards of living
• No passenger died in commercial air travel accidents in 2007 and 2008, a period when commercial airliners carried 1.5 billion passengers. Unfortunately, that string was broken this year
• Air pollution declined 25% over the past 30 years even as the population and the economy grew. Water quality also continues to improve. More progress will occur in coming years as companies see rising value in “going green”
• Alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the most recently reported year dropped by more than half versus 20 years ago
• The number of homeless people declined by an estimated 12% between 2005 and 2007, with an even larger decline in those who are chronically homeless
• The upward “mobility” of the typical American remains the greatest in the world. Why? The U.S. economy “rewards” the combination of hard work and educational achievement more than ever before…and more than any other country in the world
• During the early 1960s, the five-year survival rate from cancer for Americans was one in three. Today it is two in three…continuing to climb…and the highest in the world
• Substantiated cases of childhood sexual abuse have fallen 49% since 1990. Physical abuse of children is down by 43%
• More than three million girls participated in high school sports last year, part of a record 7.3 million total participants
• The number of abortions performed in this country has declined by one-third since 1990 and is now at a record low
• The U.S. rate of home ownership reached 69.2% of households in recent quarters, the highest ever, before declining slightly
• Women earned nearly 60% of all bachelor’s degrees awarded in recent years, versus 43% in 1970 and 24% in 1950. Women earned a similar share of master’s degrees
• Illicit drug use among U.S. teenagers hit a five-year low of 9.8% in 2006, down 16% since 2002
• U.S. teen pregnancy and birth rates plummeted to all-time lows in recent years, before a slight rise. The reasons? More widespread use of birth control, more work opportunities, and more girls who “just say no”
• Flexible work schedules are now the norm for 43% of workers, up from 29% in 1992 and 13% in 1985. This allows greater flexibility for more people, especially those with children
• Police officer deaths from gunfire during 2008 were the lowest in more than 50 years
• The Consumer Price Index (CPI) has actually declined 0.4% during the most recent 12-month period—the first 12-month decline since 1955—helping to stretch consumer incomes
• The U.S. role of dominance in the global economy in recent years has been as clear-cut as at any time since the 1950s
Monday, 13 April 2009
For Immediate Release
April 12, 2009
Media Contact:
Amy Quesenberry – (907) 754-2592 amy@alyeskaresort.com
Girdwood, AK, April 13, 2009 – The weather improved for the final day of the 2009 Subaru World Freeskiing Championships at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska, enabling the competitors to get up onto The Headwall and into some big Alaskan lines. After a long day of waiting, the skies cleared and the sun came out for the final stop on the 2009 Freeskiing World Tour (FWT). A total of 39 competitors qualified for the invitation only event, and in the end, Tim Dutton of Squaw Valley, California, and Rebecca Selig of Snowbird, Utah, stood atop the podium.
Alyeska Resort once again delivered the powder, with over 11 inches of fresh snow falling in the last 24 hours. Alyeska Ski Patrol flew in a helicopter to the top of The Headwall to prepare for today’s event, keeping a close eye on the snowpack after triggering avalanches during their control work. The goal of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour is to showcase the best terrain of each host resort, but consideration is always given to weather, safety, and snow conditions. Once patrol gave the green light, competitors hiked up the boot pack of the 1,000-foot vertical face for their inspection run, getting a chance to scope their lines on the way up. Clouds were intermittent during the inspection, but blue sky pushed in, allowing the helicopter to shuttle the competitors back up to the top of the venue for their final runs. “The heli ride was awesome,” said Crystal-Rose Lee, “I got to sit in the front seat with Crystal Wright.” Wright also said the lift to the top got her “fired up”.
The four competition judges use five categories to decide the winner of FWT events: line choice, fluidity, control, aggression/energy and form/technique. Line choice is the first score the judges decide, and all following scores are directly related to that line choice score. Each category is worth 10 points, with a total possible score of 50 points.
A total of 9 women competed in the final, leading off with some incredible runs. Rebecca Selig dropped straight into an area of exposed rock known as the Wedge, skiing confidently to win her first event on the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and $3,500 in prize money. “For some reason, I knew I was going to win.” She said with a smile, “This place was just meant to be.” Tour leader Crystal Wright of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, finished second for the women, attacking the fall line and hitting three big airs linked together with smooth turns. “I’m stoked,” she said, “I don’t care how I placed, I did this for myself.” Last year’s champion, Crystal-Rose Lee from Whistler, British Columbia, ended up in third place with a fluid line, moving well from feature to feature while holding on to her speed. Ariana Stufano also from Whistler, British Columbia, was awarded The North Face Young Gun Award, which recognizes young talent in Freeskiing, for fluid style and consistent performances.
A total of 29 men rode the helicopter up to the start venue, reversing the order of the finish from Day One, and Tim Dutton emerged on top. Coming off his win in Kirkwood at the Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships, Dutton sent an aggressive line, airing over rocks and skiing confidently through exposure and scored the points he needed to become the World Freeskiing Champion along with the $5,000 prize money. Lars Chickering-Ayers of Vermont ended up in second after picking his way through the rocks at the top of the run and straight lining through the chowder. Frenchman Julien Lopez placed third, blazing through the exposure on the top and pulling a huge air off a cliff while making it all look so easy. Near the Subaru finish arch he pulled a backflip for the appreciative crowd.
Making headlines all season long, consistency paid off for both Crystal Wright and Julien Lopez as they won their first FWT overall titles respectively.
Dylan Crossman of Alta won the Backcountry.com Sickbird Award for his fluid jump turns through tight, exposed rocks with controlled high-speed exit. The coveted Backcountry.com Sickbird buckle is an award, which is given out at the end of each FWT event, to the athlete with the most spirited run. These runs usually include super-human talent and agility.
The John Nicoletta Freeskiing Scholarship will be presented this weekend. The $3,500 award will go towards the skier that best represents John’s focus and dedication to the sport of Freeskiing.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
For Immediate Release
April 11, 2009
Media Contact:
Amy Quesenberry – (907) 754-2592 amy@alyeskaresort.com
Girdwood, Alaska, April 11, 2009 – With over 14 inches of snow falling at Alyeska Resort in the last 24 hours, competitors had to manage soft conditions and variable visibility in their one charge at “The Knuckles” a 1,000 foot vertical run off Alyeska’s North Face. Approximately 55 Freeskiing World Tour (FWT) competitors were invited to the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships at Alyeska Resort, Alaska, based on points earned throughout the season. Without an abundance of exposed faces, contestants still put on a spectacular show. In the end, Rebecca Selig of Utah and Tim Dutton of Squaw Valley, California, took the lead going into tomorrow’s final rounds.
“Today’s event was a testament to what the sport of Freeskiing is all about,” said Head Judge and International Freeskiers Association (IFSA) President Jim Jack. “After facing all the tough venues of the rest of the tour, it’s great for these skiers to be able to send it in a free spirited way. There is a lot of positive energy in this group. Alaska is a goal for a lot of the skiers, and it’s rewarding for them to end the tour on some of the biggest, coolest mountains in North America.”
The first day of competition in the 2009 Subaru Freeskiing World Championships at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska, began on a somber note. On Saturday morning the competitors, along with Mountain Sports International (MSI) and IFSA staff, rode the tram to the top of the mountain and gathered together to share their memories of their fallen friend, John Nicoletta, who died one year ago in the finals of the 2008 Freeskiing World Championships at Alyeska.
“I still hear John when I stand still and listen to the wind,” wrote Andy Sabatier, a close friend and fellow competitor of John’s who was not able to attend the Alaska event, “Let us take today as a reminder to look around at our own lives, and celebrate that which we have and toast that which we have lost.” After other friends shared fond memories of John, the group clicked in and skied the run together in his honor.
A field of 10 women took control of the venue first, and they did not disappoint. Rebecca Selig attacked the expansive terrain and skied an aggressive line to take the top spot after the completion of Day 1. Sitting in second is Karine Falck-Pederson from Norway, who chose a different line than the four women to start before her, taking air over a bush band at the top and charging the heavy powder all the way to the Subaru finish arch at the bottom. “I’m here to have fun,” she said, “and I have more fun when I’m skiing fluid turns than hucking off a rock or cliff band.” In third is Jacqui Edgerly from Aspen, Colorado. She was the first woman to hit the snow today, working every feature of the long, steep terrain in the flat light, enjoying the powder turns on the way down.
A total of 29 men comprised the invitation-only field of today’s Day 1 run. Tim Dutton is getting comfortable with first place after winning the North American Championships at Kirkwood in March. Today he worked every feature he could to send the strongest line of the day. “The snow and venue are awesome,” he said, “I’m happy to be in Alaska and am excited about tomorrow.” Lars Chickering-Ayers from Mad River Glen, Vermont, followed Dutton in second place, starting first for the men and skiing a fast line with fun airs. Luke Nelson from Fernie, British Columbia, took third place. Garrett Altmann, an Alaskan local and University of Alaska Fairbanks student was nominated for the coveted Backcountry.com Sickbird Award for his cross step front flip on the lower Ragdoll rocks.
Tour leader Julian Lopez was not excited about the venue prior to his run, preferring cliffs, drops and airs to the sprawling real estate and deep powder on the North Face, but on his way up the tram he spotted the kicker he needed to pull off a crowd pleasing back flip. “I wasn’t inspired before my run, but I knew I had to get the job done,” he said, “I took a break at the top and a moment to breath, speaking with John and Neil Valiton in my head. Now I am happy and I hope they are too.”
No competitors from today’s field will be cut, so look for tour leaders Lopez and Cliff Bennett, and Crystal Wright for the women, to do what they do best.
Last year’s World Freeskiing Champion Crystal-Rose Lee will go into the finals feeling confident and ready to show what she can do on this mountain. “My goal is to ski smart, but to progress and celebrate the sport at the same time. A clean run today made me feel good about tomorrow.” Tomorrow’s venue, weather permitting, will be on the Headwall starting at 11:00am AKST.
Cara Williams
Media, PR & Communications Manager
Mountain Sports International
801-349-4608
cara@mtsports.com
Justine Chellel
Marketing & Sales Coordinator
Mountain Sports International
801-349-4606
jchellel@mtsports.com
REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND ATHLETE INQUIRIES CONTACT
Sara Pinsoneault
Mountain Sports International
Athlete Communications
801-349-4650
sarap@mtsports.com
Thursday, 09 April 2009
Although the Girdwood real estate market has largely escaped a lot of the complications seen in the Lower 48, or even Anchorage or the Mat-Su, there are certainly homeowners having a difficult financial time in Girdwood and considering foreclosure. I completed specialized training this week in order to help those homeowners facing tough times. Foreclosure is not the answer and there are options available in order to avoid this process that can blemish a credit report forever. Provided that the process is executed by someone with the proper training, some banks are willing to work with homeowners and accept less than is owed on a property. I have that training. If someone you know is having a tough time making their payments, please have them give me a call for a confidential discussion.
Tuesday, 07 April 2009
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2009
Media Contact:
Amy Quesenberry – (907) 754-2592 amy@alyeskaresort.com
THE WORLD’S BEST COMPETITIVE FREESKIERS ARE INVITED TO THE SUBARU FREESKIING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS APRIL 9-13, 2009, AT ALYESKA RESORT, ALASKA
Watch all the action from Alyeska Resort LIVE Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, on www.freeskiingworldtour.com
Salt Lake City, Utah, April 1, 2009 –- The invitations have been sent and the world’s best freeskiers are preparing for the fourth and final stop on the 2009 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour (FWT) at Alyeska Resort, Alaska, April 9-13, for the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships.
“Alaska is the Augusta National of Freeskiing and the only place to hold the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships,” said Adam Comey, President of Mountain Sports International. “As an athlete, you have to grind thru competitions all winter to reach this final stage and the winner will truly be the best freeskier in the world.”
With approximately 55 competitors invited to the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships at Alyeska, the current FWT points leaders Julien Lopez of La Plagne, France, and Crystal Wright of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, will have their work cut out for them as they try to hold onto their titles. Other contenders vying for the $20,000 prize purse include 2009 Subaru North American Freeskiing Champions Sonja Lercher and Tim Dutton, 2009 Subaru Telluride Freeskiing World Tour Qualifier winner Mark Welgos, 2009 Subaru US Extreme Freeskiing Champion Clif Bennett, as well as Phillipa Hunt, Hannah Whitney, Jacqui Edgerly, Dylan Crossman, Caleb Mullen, Lars Chickering-Ayers, and big mountain freeskiing legend Aaron Estrada. Also in attendance will be reigning Subaru Freeskiing World Champions Kent Hyden and Crystal-Rose Lee. For a complete list of invited athletes, log onto www.freeskiingworldtour.com.
“We are proud to Host the 2009 Subaru Freeskiing World Championships,” said Alyeska Resort Director of Sales and Marketing Jason Lott. “We look forward to providing a true Alaska experience for all the athletes and spectators that travel to Alyeska. The conditions could not be better and our terrain is prepared to test the world’s greatest athletes.”
Subaru Freeskiing World Championships Schedule- Alyeska, Alaska
Thursday, April 9th Athlete Registration/Media Check In
9:00am-3:00pm Athlete Registration - Sitzmark Bar & Grill
9:15am-3:00pm Athlete inspection
4:00pm-4:30pm Athlete meeting/venues announced - Sitzmark Bar & Grill
Friday, April 10th FWT Championships Day 1
8:30am-8:45am Athlete meeting Tram base
9:00am-4:00pm Media Check-in Sitzmark Bar & Grill
9:15am-10:00am Athlete Inspection
11:00am-2:00pm FWT Championships Run 1
4:00pm-4:30pm Athlete meeting Sitzmark Bar & Grill
Saturday, April 11th FWT Championships Finals
8:15am-8:30am Athlete meeting Tram base
9:00am-12:00pm Media Check-in Sitzmark Bar & Grill
9:15am-10:00am Athlete Inspection
11:00am-12:30pm FWT Championships Run 2
1:00pm-2:00pm FWT Championships Super Final, Run 3
4:00pm-4:30pm Awards Ceremony Sitzmark Bar & Grill
7:00pm-12:00pm FWT Championships After Party TBA
Sun/Mon, April 12th-13th Weather/Contingency Day
**Schedule subject to change**
Mountain Sports International will present a live webcast of the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships from Alyeska, on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, on www.freeskiingworldtour.com. Live coverage of the best freeskiing in the world can be viewed from the comfort of your desk chair. MSI’s content creation team will be producing and posting same-day, world-class photography on its newly redesigned website, www.freeskiingworldtour.com and media partners www.powder.com and www.skipressworld.com.
Guests at Alyeska will experience all of Alaska’s beauty and receive an adventure that they’ll remember for a lifetime. Winter offers the ultimate skiing experience with more springtime light than any other resort in North America. Other activities include dog sledding, snowmachine tours, glacier ice climbing, backcountry and cross country skiing.
2009 Freeskiing World Tour Schedule of Events
Subaru Telluride Freeskiing World Tour Qualifier, Telluride, CO. -- February 5-8
Subaru US Extreme Freeskiing Championships, Crested Butte, CO. -- February 17-22
Subaru US Freeskiing Nationals, Snowbird, UT.-- March 10-15
Subaru North American Freeskiing Championships, Kirkwood, CA. -- March 18-22
Subaru Freeskiing World Championships, Alyeska, AK.-- April 8-12
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Subaru of America
The North Face
Corona
Backcountry.com
Powder Magazine
Emergen-C
Ski Press Magazine
Sports Insurance
Grabber
Beyond Coastal
IFSA
Special thanks to our resort partners:
Telluride Ski and Summer Resort
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Alyeska Resort
For more information log onto www.freeskiingworldtour.com
MEDIA INQUIRES AND FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Cara Williams
Media, PR & Communications Manager
Mountain Sports International
801-349-4608
cara@mtsports.com
Justine Chellel
Marketing & Sales Coordinator
Mountain Sports International
801-349-4606
jchellel@mtsports.com
REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND ATHLETE INQUIRIES CONTACT
Sara Pinsoneault
Mountain Sports International
Athlete Communications
801-349-4650
sarap@mtsports.com
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 dealers across the United States. Subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics.
About Mountain Sports International
Mountain Sports International (MSI) is a private company, founded in 1997, to develop and produce action/adventure sports events and programming in North America. MSI owns and produces the Freeskiing World Tour, in addition to several other properties and concepts.
MSI provides event management services for Burton, Salomon, and Red Bull and has provided infrastructure and expertise for the NBC Gravity Games and ESPN Action Sports Projects, including the Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour. MSI specializes in matching clients with events for brand penetration into target demographics, developing product identification and loyalty. MSI matches brand and culture, company and credibility to create sought-after events that help to define the action sports culture
Alyeska Resort, located 40 miles south of Anchorage, is Alaska's premier year-round resort. Tucked amid the Chugach Mountains, Alyeska Ski Resort offers world-class skiing and snowboarding with stunning views of the Turnagain Arm and an average snowfall of 742". The 1,400 acres of terrain with 2,500 feet of vertical rise, are serviced by nine lifts including a 60-passenger aerial tramway. Ski-in/ski-out access is available from The Hotel Alyeska which features the luxurious Spa at Alyeska, dining at the Seven Glaciers, Sakura and the Aurora Bar & Grill. For information on ski packages and rates or current mountain conditions, call Alyeska Resort at 1-800-880-3880 or visit www.alyeskaresort.com.
Saturday, 04 April 2009
For Immediate Release
April 3, 2009
Media Contacts:
Amy Quesenberry – (907) 754-2592 amy@alyeskaresort.com
Brooke Edwards – (907)-783-8400 cookiebrooke@hotmail.com
GIRDWOOD, AK
Day 3 of the 2009 World Telemark Freeskiing Championships dawned at Alyeska Resort with the threat of an oncoming storm. Alyeska’s stellar crew of ski patrollers flew to the top of the Headwall to prepare for the today’s Super Final, keeping a close eye on the wind. The top 10 men and 11 women began the grueling ascent up the boot pack in flat light, scoping their lines on the way up. By the time the competitors reached the top, the light had changed in their favor.
Martha Burley, defending European Champion and 2nd last year in the Worlds, and Dede O'mara, a top contender from Jackson Hole, both who had been delayed due to airline gridlock, were allowed to forerun the event. Local Ryan Davis raised the bar and reminded judges of what he could really do by hucking a 50 foot cliff as a forerunner.
Running the competitors in reverse order, the crowd got quite a show today from the Red Bull Tent at the base of the High Traverse. The women led off the pack with some incredible runs. Shaun Raskin from Park City, Utah went bigger than a lot of the men by launching a 30 foot "diving board" rock into the run out below the wedge. When asked what she thought of this year's venue, the sponsored Rossignol skier described it as "super sick". Raskin said, “I like that the venue had something for everyone, and that it definitely kept you on your toes”. Local standout Paige Brady also sent an aggressive line, airing over rocks and skiing confidently through exposure.
The men demonstrated their version of a Blue Angels air show. Girdwood local Spencer Jonas started the trend by landing his enormous drop off the diving board. Paul Kimbrough from Mt. Baker, Washington solved his broken binding issue at the top by borrowing an event crew's skis. He then proceeded to throw a “teli heli”, followed by a front flip, all with no poles on borrowed gear. Rory Camm of New Zealand pieced together a series of cliff drops that made the rocky exposed line he charged look like a cakewalk. Hailing from Fernie, British Columbia, Baden Hamilton launched 40 feet, stomped his landing and came through the Red Bull arch to the appreciative crowd.
Competitors are judged on five categories: Line choice, fluidity, technique, aggressiveness and control. Each category is worth 10 points, but all categories revolve around the line score. If a competitor takes the easiest line and only scores a 3 for that line choice, then they can only receive two points higher in any other category. There are also more subtle rules regarding "no fall zones" to keep competitors from overstepping their abilities. If an athlete skis into a "no fall zone" and then falls, their points are drastically docked. So competitors not only have to ski big lines and throw tricks with impeccable telemark technique but they also have to make good choices, ski in control and ski within their ability.
Organizers would like to extend a big thanks to Alyeska Resort's Ski Patrol for preparing an incredible venue and for the Events crew and Tough Guy Productions, who made it all happen. Awards ceremony will take place tonight at the Sitzmark at 8:30pm, followed by the band Last Train.
Win a Season Pass in the Uphill/Downhill Race
The World Comps are only one component of “Telepalooza”. The 6th Annual Jeff Nissman Memorial Telemark Festival is a five day celebration that brings together friends, families and members of the telemark community. Events include telemark clinics, Uphill/Downhill, Classic and Dual Slalom fun races, demonstrations, live music and lots of fun. Sunday’s Uphill/Downhill Race will offer the grand prize of a Season Pass to Alyeska Resort for the 2009/2010 ski season for the fastest man and woman. This year the festival has a “Wild West” theme, and costume parties are held every night at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill. Telepalooza is held in honor of Jeff Nissman, an avid teleskier, mountaineer and avalanche forecaster for the Chugach Ranger District, who died in a work-related accident in January 2004. Proceeds from this year’s charity raffle, featuring over $30,000 in prizes, go to benefit Friends of The Chugach Avalanche Information Center in Jeff’s honor.
WORLD TELEMARK FREESKIING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL RESULTS
Women
1. Paige Brady - Anchorage, AK
2. Megan Michelson – Boulder, CO
3. Louise Sanseau - Jackson, WY
4. Shaun Raskin - Park City, UT
5. Lizet Christiansen - Tahoe City, CA
Men
1. Corky Still - Anchorage, AK
2. Bayden Hamilton - Fernie, BC Canada
3. Paul Kimbrough - Utah
4. Ryan Leard - Oakland, CA
5. Rory Camm – New Zealand
Next up, Alyeska Resort will host the 2009 Subaru Freeskiing World Championships on April 8-12.
Alyeska Resort, located 40 miles south of Anchorage, is Alaska's premier year-round resort. Tucked amid the Chugach Mountains, Alyeska Ski Resort offers world-class skiing and snowboarding with stunning views of the Turnagain Arm and an average snowfall of 742". The 1,400 acres of terrain with 2,500 feet of vertical rise, are serviced by nine lifts including a 60-passenger aerial tramway. Ski-in/ski-out access is available from The Hotel Alyeska which features the luxurious Spa at Alyeska, dining at the Seven Glaciers, Sakura and the Aurora Bar & Grill. For information on ski packages and rates or current mountain conditions, call Alyeska Resort at 1-800-880-3880 or visit www.alyeskaresort.com.
Friday, 03 April 2009
For Immediate Release
April 2, 2009
Media Contacts:
Amy Quesenberry – (907) 754-2592 amy@alyeskaresort.com
Brooke Edwards – (907)-783-8400 cookiebrooke@hotmail.com
GIRDWOOD, AK
Day two of the 2009 World Telemark Freeskiing Championships wrapped up at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska. Today the Final took place on “The Headwall”, an area yet to be open to the public this season and an amazing venue to showcase some of the World's strongest telemark skiers. Competitors took to the Headwall in classic AK style of “scout your line from the bottom”. Most other competitions allow a checkout run so participants can get a good look at the venue they are about to rally. Brooke Edwards, fourth after yesterdays qualifier on the North Face says, “What is remarkable about Alyeska’s “read and run” style” is that it truly highlights the realistic challenges that skiing big lines in the mountains is all about.”
Today’s competitors embarked on a true test of endurance, boot packing up the Headwall and skiing non-stop tele turns down the 1,000 feet of vertical between them and the Red Bull arch at the finish. Snow conditions that deceptively looked like inviting powder turns ended up hiding shallow rocks referred to as sharks for their scary ability to reach up and grab your skis. After evading the shark feeding frenzy, the reward was face shots in beautiful powder on the second half of the run.
Shaun Raskin and Megan Michelson were finally allowed through Mt. Redoubt's airlines vortex. The Rossignol and Flylow sponsored skiers stepped off the plane and onto the boot pack, making an already competitive field even stronger. Megan returns to Alaska as the defending World Champion and she wowed the crowd with her characteristic smooth turns, skiing the entire headwall in seconds.
For the men, young Jake Sakson lead the pack once again. He skied a bold line down the center of a rocky cliff feature called "The Wedge". Girdwood local Josh Varney, who yesterday sent the crowd into spontaneous applause with his custom "tele-heli", was relieved to pop up uninjured from the largest spill of the day. Pushing the envelope, Varney hucked a large rock at the top of the Headwall and landed it nicely with speed. Hitting the next cliff, Varney took a scary fall. Much to everyone's relief, he skied out the rest of his run fully intact with beautiful arching turns.
In tomorrow’s Superfinal the top men and women go head to head in this world class competition. The field will be cut to the top 15 men and 11 women for a showdown on the Headwall. Weather back up venue will be the North Face “Knuckles”.
The World Comps are only one component of “Telepalooza”. The 6th Annual Jeff Nissman Memorial Telemark Festival is a five day celebration that brings together friends, families and members of the telemark community. Events include telemark clinics, Uphill/Downhill, Classic and Dual Slalom fun races, demonstrations, live music and lots of fun. This year the festival has a “Wild West” theme, and costume parties are held every night at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill. Telepalooza is held in honor of Jeff Nissman, an avid teleskier, mountaineer and avalanche forecaster for the Chugach Ranger District, who died in a work-related accident in January 2004. Proceeds from this year’s charity raffle, featuring over $30,000 in prizes, go to benefit Friends of The Chugach Avalanche Information Center in Jeff’s honor.
WORLD TELEMARK FREESKIING CHAMPIONSHIP DAY 2 RESULTS
Women
1. Megan Michelson - Boulder, CO
2. Paige Brady - Anchorage, AK
3. Louise Sanseau - Jackson, WY
4. Shaun Raskin - Park City, UT
5. Lizet Christiansen - Tahoe City, CA
Men
1. Jake Sakson - Carbondale, CO
2. Corky Still - Anchorage, AK
3. Bayden Hamilton - Fernie, BC Canada
4. Paul Kimbrough - Utah
5. Ryan Leard - Oakland, CA
Next up, Alyeska Resort will host the 2009 Subaru Freeskiing World Championships on April 8-12.
Alyeska Resort, located 40 miles south of Anchorage, is Alaska's premier year-round resort. Tucked amid the Chugach Mountains, Alyeska Ski Resort offers world-class skiing and snowboarding with stunning views of the Turnagain Arm and an average snowfall of 742". The 1,400 acres of terrain with 2,500 feet of vertical rise, are serviced by nine lifts including a 60-passenger aerial tramway. Ski-in/ski-out access is available from The Hotel Alyeska which features the luxurious Spa at Alyeska, dining at the Seven Glaciers, Sakura and the Aurora Bar & Grill. For information on ski packages and rates or current mountain conditions, call Alyeska Resort at 1-800-880-3880 or visit www.alyeskaresort.com.
Wednesday, 01 April 2009
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2009
Media Contact:
Amy Quesenberry – (907) 754-2592 – amy@alyeskaresort.com
GIRDWOOD, AK
Alyeska Resort has successfully hosted Day One of the 2009 World Telemark Freeskiing Championships. Over 30 free-heelers, from local stand outs to seasoned competition veterans, faced off on Alyeska’s North Face today in an area referred to as “The Knuckles”. The run was 1,000 feet of vertical, and some of the strongest telemark skiers in the world were smoking down it in times of two minutes and less, tipping over with a case of burning thighs as they plowed through the Red Bull arch marking the finish line. Contestants showcased their bag of tricks, throwing inverts, front flips and 360’s, but controlled skiing and endurance were the most important skills needed on the long, steep terrain of Alyeska’s North Face. Mostly sunny weather and soft snow made for great conditions for the qualifying run.
The World Championships are the fourth in a series of telemark competitions promoted by Tough Guy Productions, hosted at multiple venues and similar to that of the Alpine Freeskiing Series. Many of the participants here also competed at Alpine Meadows in California and the U.S. Nationals in Crested Butte two weekends ago.
“Even though we have a smaller number of competitors this year, we have many different countries represented: Japan, Argentina, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Italy,” says Telepalooza organizer Brooke Edwards, “It’s a real world competition” The field includes Michel Boschetti, who recently won the 2009 European Telemark Championships, also put on by Tough Guy Productions in Scufon, Italy last month.
At the end of an exhilarating day, it was Jake Sakson and Hillary Procknow, both from Colorado who take the lead going into Day Two of the competition.
19 year old Jake Sackson placed 3rd at the Worlds last year, and most recently placed first at Alpine Meadows. There was no doubt about his dominance again today. Jake has returned to show off his quick aggressive style here at Alyeska. Alaskan Ryan Davis follows in second place. Davis has fully redeemed himself from last year’s big tumble in the Shadows by linking together multiple big airs in an impressive, fast and fluid run in the Knuckles. Paul Kimbrough of Utah skied a solid line to take third.
For the women, Hillary Procknow of Colorado leads the field with a final score of 98 points. Born and raised in Alaska, Paige Brady continues her streak of impressive second place finishes with a great chance to take her position at the top of the podium in this competition. Canadian Catherine Henry’s smooth lines landed her in third place.
Tomorrow’s venue for the competition, weather permitting, will be on the Headwall, a steep, rocky area that hasn’t been open to the public yet this season. Competitors will hike up to the saddle and inspect the venue on the way up. Women will start at 11am with the men to immediately follow. The venue for the Super Finals on Day 3 will also be on the Headwall, as long as the weather cooperates.
Day 1 Results:
WOMEN
1. Hillary Procknow - Colorado
2. Paige Brady - Alaska
3. Catherine Henry - Canada
4. Brooke Edwards - Alaska
5. Gwen Sovitski - Alaska
MEN
1. Jake Sakson - Colorado
2. Ryan Davis - Alaska
3. Paul Kimbrough - Utah
4. Paul Velte - Wyoming
5. Josh Varney - Alaska
Next up, Alyeska Resort will host the 2009 Subaru Freeskiing World Championships on April 8-12.
Alyeska Resort, located 40 miles south of Anchorage, is Alaska's premier year-round resort. Tucked amid the Chugach Mountains, Alyeska Ski Resort offers world-class skiing and snowboarding with stunning views of the Turnagain Arm and an average snowfall of 742". The 1,400 acres of terrain with 2,500 feet of vertical rise, are serviced by nine lifts including a 60-passenger aerial tramway. Ski-in/ski-out access is available from The Hotel Alyeska which features the luxurious Spa at Alyeska, dining at the Seven Glaciers, Sakura and the Aurora Bar & Grill. For information on ski packages and rates or current mountain conditions, call Alyeska Resort at 1-800-880-3880 or visit www.alyeskaresort.com.
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