Wilmot Mountain Racing

USSA nominates 48 racers for 2008-09 alpine team
The United States Ski and Snowboard Association on Friday released a list of 48 athletes — 27 men and 21 women — nominated for inclusion on the 2008-09 alpine team. Notable from a first glance at the nominated athetes is a smaller number of A team members, a squad absent a handful of longtime U.S. veterans who didn’t make the criteria set forth for inclusion and also failed to garner a discretionary pick from the coaching staff. Starting from the top, the number of A team nominated athletes is just 10, down from 15 a year ago. The B team list includes 10 men and six women; the C team list includes five men and five women; and the Development Team list includes seven men and five women. U.S. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt said a year ago the organization tightened the objective criteria needed to make the team with the goal of raising overall performance on all levels. Hunt said Friday that he was pleased a number of athletes were able to “see the bar raised and step up to it.” “It’s a lot of work over a lot of years getting the team to where it currently is, and I think we have a super strong team right now,” Hunt said.

Schleper, Bascio balancing training with motherhood
For most athletes, spring is a time to focus on training for the upcoming season. But for two U.S. Ski Team athletes, this spring has brought something special. Sunday, three-time Olympian Sarah Schleper and the U.S. disabled cross-country team's Monica Bascio will celebrate their first Mother's Day as mothers.

Ludlow hanging it up after 10 years on U.S. team
Olympian and U.S. champion Libby Ludlow has retired after 10 years of competition with the U.S. Ski Team, according to Alpine Director Jesse Hunt. Ludlow, who accomplished her many successes during one of the strongest decades in U.S. skiing history, said she was proud of her accomplishments on the team and looked forward to her future. The fact that I am healthy right now and can walk away from the sport healthy, happy and satisfied with what I've accomplished is what I've always wanted. It feels really good, Ludlow said about her retirement. It was clear that now is my time to walk away. I feel really good about my career and I am excited about what lies ahead.

Former coach, pro racer Lathrop Strang killed in backcountry fall
A celebration of Lathrop Strang’s life is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, in Carbondale, Colorado, eight days after the 46-year-old expert skier died after falling down a steep chute on 12,953-foot Mount Sopris.

Kiley Staples accepts SR Junior of Year Award
Kiley Staples looked down at her Ski Racing Junior Alpine Skier of the Year Award, scoping out who the past recipients were: Christin Cooper, Tamara McKinney, Julia Mancuso, Lindsey Vonn — one of the women that the 19-year-old has looked up to — and many others that have gone on to great alpine success. Staples hopes to be one of them, and receiving the award is a sign of future success. Last season alone, former SR Junior Alpine Skiers of the Year got three World Cup titles, 25 podiums and nine victories on the World Cup. “I wanted one of these for a long time,” she said about receiving the award. “It’s been one of my goals.” Staples, who suffered a bone bruise at the end of the season, missed the award presentation at the U.S. Alpine Championships where Tommy Ford was award the prize for the male Junior of the Year.

Let us help you improve your skiing, your racing skills and shave those tenths of a second of the clock!