U.S. Ski Team News - Disabled

Adaptive Alpine Goes One-on-One at Copper

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 MST

COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO (Nov. 4) - The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team athletes have pitched tent at Copper Mountain, CO for training to find great early season snow after an earlier camp at Mt. Hood, OR was cancelled. The Team members have joined their development team counterparts in hopes of getting some on-snow time before their next camp starting in December.

Looking forward, the athletes have been training on their own and taking advantage of opportunities to join other training sessions.

"We've made some adjustments and adapted our program and moved everything out," says Adaptive Alpine Head Coach Ray Watkins."I mean, it's actually a positive because they are getting to spend individual time, one-on-one, with the coaches."

Some of the athletes that have been training with the development team are John Whitney (standing; Towson, MD), Danelle Umstead (visually impaired; Taos, NM), Carl Burnett (sit-ski; Winter Park, CO), and George Sansonetis (sit-ski; Fraser, CO). Their focus has been clear and simple, with an emphasis on having a good transition into the winter season.

"Basically, we just want to get a good transition from the summer, remember what we figured out this summer and get it all back on winter time snow," explains Adaptive Alpine Coach Ian Garner. "We want to get a good base before we really start working on race time tactics."

With athletes taking advantage of one-on-one time with the coaches, high expectations and goals have begun to surface.

"Our immediate goal is to hopefully make it to the World Cup and bring home wins which will give us preparation for the games," states Umstead." So, if we can do really well at the World Cups that will give us the time to prepare for Vancouver."

There are many new hopefuls joining the accomplished veterans from last season. Among the rising stars are development team member Alana Nichols (sit-ski; Farmington, MN) and C Team members Whitney and Umstead.

The Team's next camp is scheduled to begin on Dec. 1 in Colorado.

Click on the links to view videos from the Copper Mountain camps.

John Whitney Trains at Copper.

Danelle and Rob Umstead Training at Copper.

Carl Burnett Trains at Copper.

For more U.S. Ski Team footage visit the U.S. Ski Team YouTube Page.

U.S. Adaptive Championships Return to Big Sky

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 MST

BIG SKY, MT (Oct. 15) – After a five year break, the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Championships return to Big Sky, MT March 28 - April 2. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association's Championships were held at Big Sky for three consecutive years before moving venues. The reunion brings new hills and challenges for the athletes.

"They have a challenging hill and our athletes are really excited to go back there because it's something different," said USSA Adaptive Program Director Sandy Metzger. "We race on a lot of the same venues, so this is fun for our athletes. They get to compete on some other hills. They definitely have challenging hills that will be good for all of our athletes."

The athletes will be heading to Championships following the Paralympics. Adaptive Alpine Team member Stephani Victor (sit-ski; Park City, UT) is excited about ending the season at Big Sky.

"We raced there several years ago, two years in a row," says Victor. "It'll be fun to go back there."

Big Sky is teaming with the local adaptive program to host the event, utilizing the small mountain feel. The U.S. Adaptive Championships is the main attraction while at the resort.

"What's great about Big Sky is it's a smaller resort so the whole community knows the event is going on," states Metzger.

Although the Paralympics are the main focus this season, the athletes are excited for the event. U.S. Championships are always fun and exciting with members of the team such as Chris Devlin-Young (sit-ski; Campton, NH) and Tyler Walker (sit-ski; Franconia, NH) predicted to battle for gold in the downhill, while Victor and Paralympic gold medalist Allison Jones (Colorado Springs, CO) look to shine.

"It's nice to come home to the U.S. and finish up the season with a competition and a lot of support from the USSA," states Victor. "I always love the Championships. For me it's like the prom, it's a great way to finish up the year."

The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Championships is scheduled for March 28 – April 2. The speed events will kick-off the event starting with the downhill training and race then the super G race. The tech events follow consecutively with GS and slalom.

Waddell Summits Kilimanjaro

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 MST

MT. KILIMANJARO, Tanzania (Sept. 30) – Paralympic champion and U.S. Adaptive Ski Team alum Chris Waddell (Park City, UT ) became the first paraplegic to reach the 19,340-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The One-Revolution team and Waddell began their journey of climbing to largest freestanding mountain in the world a week earlier.

Waddell wrote on his blog, "We summited today. Slept in the crater last night. Everyone’s asleep. Long day." Waddell and his team were reportedly on their way back down the mountain.

The climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro began Sept. 24. For six days, Waddell pressed through the pain and fatigue to reach the peak using the Marangu route (Coca Cola route). Friends say he continues to be an inspiration to the sport and all disabled sports.

Waddell was a promising Middlebury racer when a skiing accident left him paralyzed in 1988. Shortly after, he began skiing on a monoski. In less than two years, he was named to the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. Waddell was on the Team for 11 years, competing in four Paralympic Winter Games (plus three summer) winning 12 winter medals, becoming the most decorated male skier in Paralympic history. In 1994 he swept all four gold in Lillehammer, Norway.

Waddell spent much of the past few years planning and engineering a unique four-wheel cycling device to allow him to climb the highest mountain in Africa. He trained hours and hours on end near his home in Park City, Utah, and took the three-wheeler on training rides including Moab, Utah's famous White Rim Trail. Nothing, though, would compare to the challenges Waddell knew he would face on Kilimanjaro.

"Chris' accomplishment will bring greater awareness to the Paralympic movement," said U.S. Adaptive Ski Team Coach Ray Watkins. "It's not just about our U.S. Adaptive Ski Team, but about the Paralympic movement as a whole!"

"He has done something that very few people in this world have done," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Adaptive Program Director Sandy Metzger. He'll do a lot to show what disabled people can do."

When on the team, Waddell was a team leader. He constantly was pushing himself and other athletes to work harder and perform better. In his career, he competed in both summer and winter Paralympics. He was recently among final nominees to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, with results of balloting expected to be announced soon.

"Chris was always one of the pacesetters in whatever workout we were doing. He was big in developing new levels of conditioning, especially for the sitting athletes on the Team," explained Watkins. "He tried everything we put in front of him and did it at a high level."

Recently, Waddell was asked to be a representative on the USSA Board of Directors representing adaptive skiing. Metzger said Waddell will bring great insight about the team and USSA.

"He was always a wonderful person to have on the team, a terrific attitude," expressed Metzger. "He has an infectious personality and when he meets people they're just drawn to him."

For more information about Chris Waddell's Mount Kilimanjaro climb, go to www.one-revolution.com. The Website provides information about Waddell and provides a link to his blog about the climb.

Meier Working Smarter Not Harder

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (Sept. 17) – For Monte Meier (Park City, UT), this summer has been all about listening to his body. Plagued with cartilage problems in his knee, Meier has spent the past few months at the Center of Excellence recovering.

"I've spent a lot of time on the bike this summer. I had some issues with my knee, just kind of getting a little old and warn out with some cartilage issues," Meier said. "I've tried to spend a lot of time on the bike whether it's a mountain bike, road bike, or stationary bike."

Meier shows no signs of discouragement, though. Taking time off snow in stride Meier is ready for winter and is excited to get in the gate.

"At this point, because of my knee, I didn't partake in any of the summer camps this year. I've been off snow for the whole summer. It was a tough decision the doctor and I made, but in the end I'm feeling really strong right now," says Meier. "I feel like my batteries have been recharged. I'm really anxious to get on snow.”

A veteran on the adaptive Team, Meier is hoping to make his fifth appearance in the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics in March. Approaching the season, Meier has made some adjustments to his game plan in hopes of hanging a medal around his neck.

"Strategies have changed a little bit, this will be my nineteenth season, and I learned to work smarter not harder on some things and know when I should push and when I should back off. The hardest part for me is to take it easy," admits Meier. "It's a matter of listening to my body more and not over working it, but at the same time work to get to the level I want to be when I'm competing."

With all Meier's hard work he is confident that this season will be a success and is looking forward to Vancouver.

"I feel confident about where I am this season, the conditioning that I've been doing all summer, and I'm anxious to get at it," states Meier. "My goal is basically to stay healthy. Ultimately, of course, I would like to end my career on the podium, but to make that a reality I need to make sure that I'm diligent about taking care of my body, listening to my body, taking time off when I need to, hitting it hard when I need to."

Meier is finishing up the summer, with some plyometrics and agility drills in order to make a sound return back on snow this fall. However, Meier can't help but to look ahead.

"Just anxious for the 2010 Paralympics," stresses Meier.

The 2010 U.S. Paralympic Team will be named Feb. 22, 2010.

Adaptive Team Works Hard, Plays Hard

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 MST

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (Sept. 17) – The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team is working hard at its final camp of the summer in Colorado Springs, CO. The camp is a dry land program that focuses on getting a grasp as to where the athletes are and where they need to be for the season ahead.

Head Coach Ray Watkins explains, "The focus is just to give the coaching staff and athletes a good read on where they are, where they need to do their work in the next two months before we get on snow, whether it be max strength, core strength, or upper body shoulder stabilization for the guys. It's just really picking them apart individually where they can improve, focusing on areas where they can improve on."

Keeping the intensity high, the adaptive Team utilizes all provided resources while in Colorado Springs. The Team will be spending time at the Air Force Academy using a dexa scan machine, which measures bone density.

"We also take advantage of the Air Force Academy and do dexa scans, which are an in gene of the body to test bone density," says Watkins. "We also do some vision training up there for the athletes."

When not testing, the intensity level doesn't drop, it simply shifts departments. The snow-based athletes and coaches switch surfaces to a wheelchair basketball court where they enjoy action packed games of basketball. Playing wheelchair basketball is not only a great way to relieve the stresses of being professional athletes but also a fun way for team bonding.

"We are all out there right now bashing into each other on the wheelchair basketball court and there's no holds barred. In fact, when the athletes get a chance to get me in the thing they take their shots at me and they love it," admits Watkins "When we all get in that chair and are trying to play a sport that we're not all really good at, it just brings us all together."

Tyler Walker (Franconia, NH), one of the many athletes attending the camp, is using the information he receives to help guide his goals for the upcoming season and Paralympics.

"My goal is just to be in tip top shape at that point so that I can give it everything I have and hopefully something good will happen," says Walker.

Many of the performance tests will help athletes understand the path they need to take in order to peak at the Paralympics. The team has opened the end of the camp to a selective group of athletes that will hopefully be on the team in 2014 with hopes of instilling the hard work ethic of the present athletes in the future athletes.

"We're here working hard, excited for the Paralympic year," declares Watkins "This is an important year for everybody on this team and they're going 100 percent all out."

Adaptive Alpine Shines in NZ Winter Games

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 00:00:00 MST

QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND (Sept. 4) – The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team had a strong presence in the 2009 New Zealand Winter Games at Coronet Peak on Friday as all competing members stood tall on the podium for their respective disciplines, despite the troubling weather conditions.

Head Coach Ray Watkins is ready for Vancouver and pleased with the New Zealand results.

"We expect our athletes to be on the podium when they race and everyone from our team was." Watkins said. "They had tough weather conditions to overcome, but they did."

Standouts in New Zealand included Alana Nichols (Winter Park, CO), Caitie Sarubbi (Brooklyn, NY), and Carl Burnett (Winter Park, CO).

Nichols topped the field with gold in the women's sitting slalom and GS. Nichols was a convincing eleven seconds faster than second place, taking the sitting GS title. The win secured Nichols a spot on the World Cup circuit in the technical events.

"I was really happy with the GS win in New Zealand because that actually put me in a position to ski the World Cup circuit in tech. I wasn't actually qualified to ski tech in the World Cup until that race, so big win for me there," Nichols said.

Sarubbi raced to the finish for silver in both the women's visually impaired slalom and GS. Jessica Gallagher of Australia and Great Britain's Kelly Gallagher edged her out for the gold. Sarubbi is pleased with the results and has high hopes for a medal in Vancouver.

"I got to race against two para-athletes I haven't raced before. It was also good to see more of the competition that's out there," said Sarubbi. "I know that since it is a Paralympic year it's time to kind of buckle down and really give it all I have."

In the men's sitting GS Burnett took a close bronze behind Germany's Martin Braxenthaler and Thomas Nolte.

"It was encouraging that I was only a little bit off the time of Martin Braxenthaler, the top guy out there right now from Germany. He's sort of the one to beat so I was happy I was close to his time and also that I had the second fastest second run," Burnett said.

The team will be heading to Colorado Springs, CO for a conditioning camp in preparation for the upcoming World Cup season and the Paralympics in March.

"We're gearing up and are excited for the Paralympics; we have a lot of promising athletes," states Watkins.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 New Zealand Winter Games
August 28, 2009

Slalom
Visually Impaired – Women
1. Jessica Gallagher, Australia, 59.33
2. Caitlin Sarubbi, Brooklyn, NY, 2:02.73

Standing – Women
1. Andrea Rothfuss, Germany, 1:45.65
2. Emily Jansen, Austalia, 2:12.36

Sitting – Women
1. Alana Nichols, Winter Park, CO, 2:37.03

Standing – Men
1. Toby Kane, Australia, 1:30.84
2. Adam Hall, New Zealand, 1:35.94
3. Mitchell Gourley, Australia, 1:42.82
4. Kevin Wermeester, Germany, 1:46.92
5. Nicholas Watts, Australia, 1:47.55

Sitting – Men
1. Martin Braxenthaler, Germany, 1:30.47
2. Erik Bayindirli Esat, Deer Mountain, UT, 1:53.64
3. Timothy Farr, Great Britain, 1:55.21
4. Peter Williams, New Zealand, 1:56.09
5. Masashi Shinoda, Japan, 2:15.48
-
6. Gregory Peck, Winter Park, CO, 2:21
DNF: Teague Cowley, Carl N. Burnett

Giant Slalom
Visually Impaired - Women
1. Kelly Gallagher, Great Britain, 2:16.69
2. Caitlin Sarubbi, Brooklyn, NY, 2:22.19

Sitting - Women
1. Alana Nichols, Winter Park, CO, 2:03.94
2. Anna Turney, Great Britain, 2:14.84
3. Jane Sowerby, Great Britain, 2:17.54

Standing - Women
1. Andrea Rothfuss, Germany, 2:00.93
2. Emily Jansen, Australia, 2:18.7
3. Anna Jochemsen, Netherlands, 2:22.93

Sitting - Men
1. Martin Braxenthaler, Germany, 1:52.55
2. Thomas Nolte, Germany, 1:55.95
3. Carl N. Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:56.32
4. Timothy Farr, Great Britain, 1:59.15
5. Gregory Peck, Winter Park, CO, 1:59.23
-
10. Erik Bayindirli Esat, Deer Mountain, UT, 2:05.84

Standing - Men
1. Gerd Schoenfelder, Germany, 1:47.41
2. Thomas Pfyl, Switzerland, 1:50.71
3. Adam Hall, New Zealand 1:50.73
4. Michael Bruegger, Switzerland, 1:52.68
5. Marty Mayberry, Australia, 1:52.76
-
13. Teague Cowley, Park City, UT, 2:40.37
# # #

Adaptive XC Names 2010 Team

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (Aug. 21) - The 2010 U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Team is rich with talent with three of its five members Paralympians, including World Cup winner Chris Klebl (Heber City, UT), as it heads into the 2010 season according to Program Director Sandy Metzger who released the team's roster Friday.

"We have a veteran team with experienced athletes," Metzger said. "We have the ability to have an amazing season and we are hoping for just that. Our athletes have what it takes to go to the top and it's just a matter of building the consistency to get there."

U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Head Coach Greg Rawlings is amped to have provided the team with more training time and direction as they make a play for Vancouver.

"As a whole everyone's very excited because it's a huge year and they know what's required of them," Rawlings said."We're definitely driving the 'go fast' thing into them versus the "go out there and just exercise.' This year we got two weeks on snow for most of the athletes and they're pretty focused. We also met up in July and had a great session utilizing the Center of Excellence. We sent everyone home with their homework and I think we're at a lot better level now."

Taking charge for the women's squad is Monica Bascio (Evergreen, CO) who found enough success on the World Cup in 2009 that she ended up second in the overall cross country standings. In 2010 Rawlings says the journey will be hard, but believes Bascio has what it takes.

"It's a tough one because it's a Paralympic year and we'll get a couple people out of the woodwork that we don’t know about," Rawlings said. "If we keep her on track and with lots of hard work she could be knocking on the door."

In the highly competitive men's sit-ski class Klebl took charge for the U.S. men, finishing the season sixth in the World Cup standings. Rawlings is extremely confident in his ability to find success throughout the 2010 season.

"Chris is an all-arounder, mainly middle and long distance and I'd be very surprised if he doesn't medal almost every start," Rawlings said.

Also leading the top of the men's field is Andy Soule (Sun Valley, ID) a veteran of war who was sent to Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001 where an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) took both of his legs. According to Rawlings, with his will power, Soule is an ace for the sprint races.

"I've got big expectations for Andy in the sprint races," Rawlings said. "He is a lot more focused and a lot lighter, so he's dialed in for the Games. He's really excited."

Metzger added, "We are looking for big things from Andy Soule. Andy was on the verge last year. With his training and dedication during the off season, he is on fire and ready to win!"

The U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Team kicks its season off with a World Cup Dec. 16-17 in Lygna, Norway as they make their way toward the March 12-21 Paralympics in Vancouver.

2010 U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Ski Team Roster (birthdate; disabled category, hometown and * if Paralympian)

Men
Sean Halsted (11/24/70; sit-ski, Ephrata, WA)
Chris Klebl (1/5/72; sit-ski, Heber City, UT)*
Greg Mallory (3/23/68; sit-ski, Portland, OR)*
Andrew Soule (12/2/80; sit-ski, Sun Valley, ID)

Women
Monica Bascio (9/16/69; sit-ski, Evergreen, CO)*

2010 Roster Set for Adaptive Alpine

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (Aug. 21) - The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team's roster features nine Paralympians among its 18 athletes as the group of talented competitors head forward into the 2010 season. A collection of three gold, three silver and one bronze World Championship medals thanks to Stephani Victor (Park City, UT) Allison Jones (Colorado Springs, CO) and Chris Devlin-Young (Campton, NH) have Adaptive Program Director Sandy Metzger ready for the Paralympic year.

"I am excited for our program as we head into this Paralympic season. We have a very strong team with talented veteran skiers returning to the Team as well as new faces who are all going to be vying for a place at the Paralympics," Metzger said.

"This is a really big year for us with the Paralympics in Vancouver. We're looking to build the momentum that we started in our summer camps, carry it through the fall and just keep building toward March," U.S. Adaptive Alpine Head Coach Ray Watkins said. "We know that we have people ready to go."

Leading the way for the women on the adaptive alpine squad is Paralympic gold medalist Victor who marked her return to competition in 2009 with three gold and one silver World Championship medals. She also had six World Cup podiums and finished the World Cup season second in the giant slalom and super G standings, and third in the slalom.

"A really important event in our sport is World Championships and she rose to the occasion and dominated over there," Watkins said. "We're looking forward to her repeating and hopefully besting her Torino results."

With two World Championship silver medals, summer and winter Paralympic gold medalist Jones, who notched two World Cup podiums in during the 2009 season, is eager to get her journey to Vancouver started.

Heading the pack for the U.S. men is World Championship bronze medalist Devlin-Young who knocked three World Cup podiums off the list to finish out the season first in the World Cup super G standings and third in downhill.

Pushing his way up to the A squad this season is Tyler Walker (Franconia, NH), who received the nod for a promotion after garnering two World Cup downhill victories as well as the World Cup downhill title in 2009.

"Chris and Tyler are definitely at the top of the game in the sport and we just want to keep building and challenging them in different events," Watkins said. "We're excited and I think the sky is the limit for both of those guys."

But, according to Watkins, the fans can expect to see new faces giving the veterans a run for their money at all competitive levels.

"We've got some up and comers that we are really excited about," Watkins said. "I won't name any names, but I can say with certainty that we're going to see some new names popping in there."

The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team kicks off its 2010 season with the Ski Spectacular races at Copper Mountain in Colorado Dec. 14-15.

2010 U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team Roster (birthdate; disabled category, hometown and * if Paralympian)

A Team:
Men
Chris Devlin-Young (12/26/61; sit-ski, Campton, NH)*
Monte Meier (4/27/71; standing, Park City, UT)*
Tyler Walker (04/10/1986; sit-ski; Franconia, NH)*

Women
Allison Jones (5/12/84; standing, Colorado Springs, CO)*
Stephani Victor (8/29/69; sit-ski, Park City, UT)*

B Team:
Men
Carl Burnett (6/14/81; sit-ski, Winter Park, CO)*
Gerald Hayden (5/5/80; sit-ski, Merced, CA)*
George Sansonetis (10/20/72; standing, Fraser, CO)*

C Team:
Men
Ralph Green (06/01/1977; standing, Vail, CO)*
John Whitney (8/17/1986; standing, Towson, MD)

Women
Caitie Sarubbi (02/22/90; visually, Brooklyn, NY)
Danelle Umstead (2/15/1972; visually, Hood River, OR)

Development Team:
Men
Mark Bathum (10/1/1958; visually, Bellevue, WA)
Heath Calhoun (6/29/1979; sit-ski, Clarksville, TN)
Scott Meyer (3/2/1974; sit-ski, Frisco, CO)

Women
Ricci Kilgore (04/04/80; sit-ski, Reno, NV)
Alana Nichols (3/21/1983; sit-ski, Winter Park, CO)
Holidae Swan (1/9/1948; visually, Collierville, TN)

Adaptive Cross Country Program Receives Grant

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (July 31) - One of the top cross country ski racing clubs in America is moving into adaptive sports. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association's Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC) was awarded a grant from the 2009 Olympic Opportunity Fund designed to financially assist sports organizations. It will be used to aid their new adaptive cross country skiing program.

Based in Madison, WI, CXC was one of a number of Paralympic Sports Clubs and USOC Paralympic member organizations throughout the country included in the Olympic Opportunity Fund program this year. In recent years CXC has risen to be a leader in developing cross country programs in the Midwest.

"The program, although still in its infancy, is groundbreaking for the sport. CXC is already a prevalent association in its area with a large member base. This is a great opportunity to identify and recruit new athletes to the sport and put them into the development pipeline," U.S. Adaptive Program Director Sandy Metzger said.

The idea to fund adaptive cross country was born five years ago when CXC Executive and Athletic Director Yuriy Gusev wondered why there was no adaptive program for cross country skiing in the Central division. Working with U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Development Coach John Kreamelmeyer, Gusev began developing a program. Sharing the U.S. Team's resources like sport science, education, and development programs, Gusev created an adaptive component to an already renowned CXC.

Metzer sees the development of CXC's adaptive cross country program as a new approach to starting similar elements at other clubs and organizations.

"Instead of asking adaptive programs to start a cross country component, trying to encourage able-bodied cross country clubs to include an adaptive component will be another technique to increasing the participation in adaptive cross country skiing," Metzger said.

Thanks to the grant, CXC is partnering with regional clubs and ski areas to provide adjustable sit skis for rental to anyone interested in the sport. CXC will also bring educational components about the sport as well as course-making to its partners. Gusev said that providing a recreational element as well as a competitive one will allow the public to experiment with the sport and participate in events.

Kreamelmeyer hopes that the exposure of the sport will help keep adaptive cross country alive and believes that word-of-mouth is one of the biggest advocates of the discipline.

"Adaptive is a visionary division in USSA, totally committed to excellence," he said. "So far the sport's development has been beyond belief and to see it continue to grow puts a smile on my face."

CXC's grant will hopefully provide the resources needed to draw a member base to this program to encourage its advancement in the future.

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Balk Retires After Storied Career

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (July 30, 2009) – After a long career on the U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Ski Team, Paralympic medalist and World Champion Bob Balk (Long Beach, CA) decided to retire and shift his focus to his two-year-old triplets.

Joining the team in 1992, Balk was an able-bodied rugby player until he broke his back when he fell off a roof at a college party in 1988. He then began his disabled athletic career in basketball and started skiing. He finished his career having competed in seven Paralympics, including three summer Games as a pentathlete. His long-time commitment to the Team was revealed in his helpful leadership for younger teammates.

U.S. Adaptive Cross Country coach Jon Kreamelmeyer appreciated the leadership Balk provided for up-and-coming athletes.

"I think his leadership and guidance to new team members and development athletes, primarily sit skiers, was very valuable," said Kreamelmeyer. "That longevity made him a very important member of the team."

This leadership played out through his performance on the snow as well. An example for his teammates, Balk had several outstanding competitions, in particular the relay in the 2002 Paralympics.

"The fondest memory I have of Bob was in the Paralympics in 2002. He was the first leg on the relay team which consisted of Bob, Willy Stewart and Steve Cook. The conditions were horrendous; it was snowing heavily. Bob was the anchor. He skied with total heart and determination and when he came in to tag Willy, we had the lead. It was such a huge team effort. Bob just went out and set the tone on the first leg and really stimulated the possibilities that existed," said Kreamelmeyer.

Finishing a long and successful sixteen year career on the U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Team, Balk's influential position and guidance on the team will certainly be remembered.

Adaptive Alpine Camp Wraps at Hood

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 MST

MT. HOOD, OR (July 1) – Despite bad weather and low snow pack, the U.S. Ski Team's adaptive alpine athletes were energized by a successful camp at Mt. Hood. Focusing on super G speed training, the coaches and athletes worked hard and are looking forward to the upcoming Paralympic season.

"We went above and beyond what we wanted to accomplish and got in some really good training," said Adaptive Alpine Head Coach Ray Watkins. "It was tough at the beginning, but we worked with it and it ended up being a very productive camp. Even though the snow pack wasn’t as good as last year, Timberline did everything they could to make it work and set up two really good separate speed programs."

Concentrating on speed, start, and tuck training, the athletes adjusted to the conditions and greatly benefited from the technological resources at the camp.

Adaptive alpine skier Ralph Green (Brooklyn, NY) appreciated the videos and photos they have incorporated into their training program.

"We learn a lot from videos and still photos, it captures the moment and we're incorporating that into our daily team meetings," said Green. "Also, our coaches are taking advantage of Dartfish, so we can closely analyze our form and our technique."

During the camp, athletes tried out new equipment and worked on tactics and mechanics.

"Every single athlete here has made some type of improvement in their skiing, and this is the time to do it, in these camps," said Green.

Not only was the camp a time for strength and technical development, it was also inspiring for the athletes, the coaching staff, and the younger skiers training alongside them.

"It's something for the kids to be training next to elite athletes. It’s a reality check that these kids look up to you, that you're a leader, that you're representing your nation, and being an example for these young athletes," Green said.

The camp was characterized by positive energy as the team elected a new captain, George Sansonetis (Fraser, CO) to lead them into an important Olympic season. The athletes were thrilled at the progress they made, their hard work resulting in a really productive two weeks.

On his personal experience at the camp, Green said, "Overall I improved a lot; I want to be fully prepared for Vancouver. I want to race better than I train, and I'm setting a bar for myself here. I think everyone is going to carry this energy into the next camp."

Pleased with the camp's outcome despite its challenges, Watkins looks forward to the months to come. "We had some lemons at the start and made some lemonade." At the sight of these athletes cruising down the hill at 60-65mph, "coaches' jaws were dropping. It was awe-inspiring. The staff is excited about the breakthroughs and the athletes echo that as well," said Watkins.

The adaptive alpine athletes will have some time off for the 4th of July before they delve into slalom and giant slalom tech training back at Mt. Hood on July 17.

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Adaptive Alpine Works On Snow in Hood

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MST

MT. HOOD, OR (June 15) - The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team will join the onslaught of U.S. athletes on the glacier this week as they take to the terrain of Mt. Hood for some crucial on snow time through the end of June.

"Getting back on snow for our team is a very important thing," said Head Coach Ray Watkins. "It's the foundation. They have some time to think about the things they're working on and digest it."

According to Watkins, the team will be training on a course set similarly to what they will see in Vancouver for the Paralympics.

"We have the advantage of knowing the track up in Vancouver and we're going to lay out that same track up here," Watkins said. "We'll build a little terrain so they have some air time and really hammer the 50 to 70 meter radius turns."

While the similarity to the Vancouver course is key, athletes are looking forward to getting ahead of the game by just being on snow so early before the season.

"Keeping the familiarity is important. It will help with the fall and not having such a large gap between time on snow," Allison Jones (standing; Colorado Springs, CO) said. "It's important if you want to be able to start full steam in the fall. If you were starting just in the fall there's no prep time, the equipment won't be figured out and a lot of stuff you'll have to start from scratch."

According to Watkins, an average day for the team at the camp will be getting on the glacier early in the morning, then spending time in the gym, watching video, and then rest.

"When we're working on skills we want to be able to have them be able to repeat them under the pressure of the Paralympics," Watkins said. "We want to have a good learning environment for them to learn these skills."

In addition to the importance of training on snow, Jones said being able to fine tune the settings of her equipment will be important for her.

"I'm really trying to get my equipment figured out. I had some issues last season with my boot and I want to work on that at the camp," Jones said. "I'm really just looking forward to getting on my ski."

Jones, who in addition to being a skier is an adaptive cyclist during the summer, will also be using her training to build strength for when she competes on her bike.

"I've got to train for cycling. I've got a full schedule in the afternoon. I'll do the gym workouts with the team," Jones said. I'm going to try to balance the two sports as evenly as possible and make sure I'm not putting one ahead of the other."

But, off-snow training aside, Watkins is focused on the task at hand.

"Speed is our strength and we always get good training up here at Mt. Hood. We're really going to hammer the fundamentals," Watkins said.

The Team will remain in Mt. Hood for the remainder of the month.

"It's a good camp and it's good to see everyone and see what it's going to look like for the season," Jones added. "I just take it as a camp, get through it and try to get all the goals accomplished."

Raymond Named Chef de Mission

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MST

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (June 10) - The U.S. Olympic Committee announced Monday that Steve Raymond, Senior Vice President of National Accounts for Disney and ESPN Media Networks, has been selected to serve as Chef de Mission of the U.S. Team for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games to be held in Vancouver, BC, March 12-21.

As Chef de Mission, Raymond's role is to provide leadership to the U.S. Paralympic Team during the 10 days of competition, as well as serve as the senior representative on behalf of the delegation with the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and other National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).

"The team is excited about Steve being named the Chef de Mission. Steve has been a tremendous supporter of the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team," U.S. Adaptive Program Director Sandy Metzger said. "His knowledge and passion for adaptive sports makes him the best candidate for this position."

"Steve Raymond is a great ambassador for the Paralympic movement both domestically and internationally," said Stephanie Streeter, USOC Acting Chief Executive Officer. "His personal commitment to growing Paralympic opportunities and awareness made him a unanimous choice for the USOC to select him as our leader for the 2010 Paralympic Games."

Raymond is a longtime leader in Paralympic sport. He serves on the board of directors for the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) in Winter Park, CO, and he previously served on the board of the USSA representing the adaptive alpine and nordic teams.

"I am honored to be named Chef de Mission for the 2010 U.S. Paralympic Team," said Raymond. "I have seen firsthand the incredible amount of effort and talent it takes to make the Paralympic Team. I am very humbled to help represent our country and the athletes in Vancouver."

Raymond is a co-founder and co-chair of SkiTAM, an annual fundraising ski event put on by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Cable Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM), which generates funds for the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. Since its inception 14 years ago, SkiTAM has raised more than $5 million from the cable television industry to benefit the team.

Raymond resides in Centennial, CO, with his wife RuthAnne and their four daughters.

More than 60 U.S. athletes will represent the 2010 U.S. Paralympic Team in Vancouver. Approximately 600 athletes from around the world will compete in five sports and more than 60 medal events.

Adaptive XC Trains On Snow in Steamboat

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MST

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO (June 9) - The U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Team wrapped up a two-week camp on Steamboat Springs' Rabbit Ears Pass last week. According to Head Coach Greg Rawlings, the foundation for the 2010 season has been set.

"It's early enough where they were able to figure out technically what they need to work on and I think it will carry them in to their summer when they head back to their home base and put the hours in," Rawlings said. 'They'll head home and hit the summer training more focused on being in shape for 2010."

According to Greg Mallory (Portland, OR), a two-time Paralympian, while the information the athletes heard at camp may not have been new, it was a helpful start to their summer training.

"I got two weeks of really great training at altitude and I think we gained a lot in the strength training area. We were in the gym quite a bit and we got some new ideas there as to different strength training exercises we can take with us," Mallory said. "None of it was really new, but it's always helpful to hear those things over again.

"I think the goal was to stay on snow for as long as possible while working on techniques to carry through the summer and into next season."

For Rawlings, the most important thing for the athletes to do when they were in Steamboat were soaking up the on-snow time before the summer, as well as experience a variety of activities to test their bodies.

"Our focus was volume on snow and just getting lots of time on snow," Rawlings said. "We also did lifting sessions, biking, roller skiing and kayaking. When we were on snow the purpose was to get hours in. Here they were able to get really tired, recover and train again. It allowed everyone to investigate what their body does."

Rawlings was also happy to have a few extra bodies in Steamboat to give the Team some insight on how they can keep their training up all summer.

"We had some able bodied skiers from Maine there as well. It was cool to see all these athletes training and look at what level they train. It was good to see athletes out there training no matter what," Rawlings.

The variety of training helped the athletes dial in their summer training programs, which they will do from home.

"Right now this is the time of year where you're building a base. Having that many hours of training is good, but more importantly it gets you focused on what you need to do through the summer and into the fall to be prepared," Mallory said. "I think we all have a good idea of what we need to do coming out of that camp."

Washburn Accepts Sanction For Doping Violation

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 MST

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (June 5) - USADA announced that Brad Washburn (Highland Ranch, CO) an athlete in the sport of Paralympic alpine skiing, has tested positive for a prohibited substance and accepted a suspension for his doping offense.

Washburn, 22, tested positive for Carboxy THC, a marijuana metabolite in the class of Cannabinoids, in a sample collected on April 2, 2009 at the U.S. Adaptive Nationals. Cannabinoids are listed as Specified Substances and are prohibited under the rules of the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing and the International Paralympic Committee, both of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the WADA Prohibited List. Cannabinoids are listed as Specified Substances because they could be susceptible to a credible non-doping explanation, and therefore use of those substances can result in a reduced sanction.

Washburn accepted a three-month period of ineligibility, which began on May 29, 2009, the day he accepted the sanction. As part of his sanction, the period of ineligibility was suspended and reduced to time served since he accepted a Provisional Suspension on May 13, 2009, after his completion of a USADA anti-doping educational program, which he completed on June 1, 2009. As a result of the doping violation, Washburn has been disqualified from all competitive results achieved on April 2, 2009, the date of his positive test, through and including the date the doping education program was completed, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.

In an effort to aid athletes, as well as all support team members such as parents and coaches, in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. In addition, the agency manages a drug reference hotline, conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as the Guide to Prohibited Substances and Methods, easy-reference wallet cards, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference documentation.

Washburn was a member of the U.S. Adaptive Alpine's B Team in the 2009 season.

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement, and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

Sarubbi Rings Opening Bell At NYSE

Mon, 4 May 2009 00:00:00 MST

NEW YORK (May 4) – U.S. Adaptive Ski Team member Caitie Sarubbi (Brooklyn, NY) had the honor Monday of ringing the opening bell to kickoff the week at the New York Stock Exchange. Sarubbi, a 19-year-old visually impaired athlete who has come up through the Adaptive Sports Foundation program at Windham Mountain, NY, is balancing studies at Harvard with her skiing career.

"It was an honor to ring the bell and also to represent the U.S. Ski Team and the Adaptive Sports Foundation. It was great to have that notoriety brought to those two organizations and I appreciate everyone who helped put it together," Sarubbi said. "I was nervous. I didn't want to screw up. But, you press a button and hold it for 10 seconds, then when it rings everyone claps and cheers. It was fun."

Caitie Sarubbi (center) rings the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. (Photo: Caitie Sarubbi)

Sarubbi was born with a Ablepharon Macrostomia Syndrome (AMS) that left her without eyelids. After countless surgeries over many years, she remains visually impaired.

She was introduced to skiing at the age of 11. The young athlete was invited to join her father, a New York firefighter, as a guest to The Hartford Ski Spectacular at Breckenridge, CO. That led to her following her newfound passion at the Adapative Sports Foundation.

"Skiing unleashed a feeling of freedom in me that I had never experienced before," she said. "I felt like I was on top of the world, and that nothing could ever stand in my way. For the first time I felt there was no boundaries, no limits, no disability. I was free to do whatever I wanted. I was fortunate enough to join the family of The Adaptive Sports Foundation, which served as the best place to continue this incredible journey."

The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) is a non-profit organization located at New York's Windham Mountain. The ASF provides over 2,800 lessons annually to individuals with cognitive or physical challenges. The ASF is among the leading adaptive sport programs in the country.

Sarubbi, who was on the 2009 development team, is nominated for the C Team for 2010 and hoping to qualify for her first Paralympic Team and compete in Vancouver. She is a pre-med undergrad at Harvard.

"Caitie is one of our athletes on the rise. At her first World Cup start in Whistler she was just off the podium. With a full time schedule of training, she can be competitive at the Paralympic Winter games next year," U.S. Adaptive Alpine Head Coach Ray Watkins said. "We are excited to have her for a full season. She is a very talented young lady."

Championships Wrap Up in Winter Park

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 00:00:00 MST

WINTER PARK, CO (April 2) - The 2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships wrapped up Thursday with Allison Jones (standing; Colorado Springs, CO) sweeping each of the five event titles for the women's standing division.

"I won all five events and I was really happy with my skiing. I changed up some of equipment last minute and it seemed to work really well with my skiing style," Jones said. "I hope to carry this flow into next year for the Paralympics."

Laurie Stephens (sit-ski; Wenham, MA), Tyler Walker (sit-ski; Franconia, NH) and Monte Meier (standing; Park City, UT) also each took national titles in super combined.

Jones was followed in the women's standing category by Elitsa Storey (standing; Fraser, CO) in second and Canadian Melanie Schwartz in third.

In the women's sitting class Stephens led the way followed by Stephani Victor (sit-ski; Park City, UT) in second and Alana Nichols (sit-ski; Winter Park, CO) in third.

Walker was followed by Chris Devlin-Young (sit-ski; Campton, NH) in the men's sitting class, and Carl Burnet (sit-ski; Winter Park, CO) was third.

Rounding things out was the men's standing class where Meier took the lead, followed by Australian Cameron Rahls-Rahbula in second and Brad Washburn (standing; Highland Ranch, CO) in third.

When all was said and done, Jones swept for women's standing, Meier took titles in slalom, downhill and super combined, Chris Devlin-Young took titles in downhill and giant slalom, Alana Nichols took titles in the downhill and super G, Laurie Stephens took titles in the super combined and giant slalom and Danielle Umstead (Winter Park, CO) swept the titles for women's visually impaired.

The 2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships super combined race marked the close of the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team's season. Athletes now move into summer training in the lead up to the 2010 Paralympics.

SUMMARY OF CHAMPIONS

SLALOM
Danielle Umstead
Allison Jones
Stephani Victor
Monte Meier
Gerald Hayden

GIANT SLALOM
Danielle Umstead
Laurie Stephens
Allison Jones
Chris Devlin-Young
Camero Rahls-Rahbula (AUS)

DOWNHILL
Chris Devlin-Young
Monte Meier
Alana Nichols
Allison Jones
Danelle Umstead

SUPER G
Danielle Umstead
Alana Nichols
Allison Jones
Heath Calhoun
Jeff Dickson

SUPER COMBINED
Danielle Umstead
Laurie Stephens
Allison Jones
Tyler Walker
Monte Meier

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships
Winter Park, CO - April 2, 2009
Super Combined

Men's Sit-Ski
1. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 1:49.94
2. Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, 1:51.01
3. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:51.47
4. Gerald Hayden, Merced, CA, 1:54.53
5. Erik Bayindirli, Deer Mountain, UT, 1:55.95

Men's Standing
1. Monte Meier, Park City, UT, 1:51.62
2. Cameron Rahls-Rahbula, Australia, 1:52.35
3. Brad Washburn, Highland Ranch, CO, 1:52.98
4. Jeff Dickson, Canada, 1:56.12
5. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:56.53

Women's Sit-Ski
1. Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA, 2:00.39
2. Stephani Victor, Park City, UT, 2:00.60
3. Alana Nichols, Winter Park, CO, 2:01.61
4. Luba Lowery, Cumberland Foreside, ME, 2:11.59
5. Maggie Wauters, Westford, MA, 2:28.51

Women's Standing
1. Allison Jones, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:57.08
2. Elitsa Storey, Fraser, CO, 2:03.95
3. Melanie Schwartz, Canada, 2:08.69
4. Emily Jansen, Australia, 2:14.75
5. Amber Avery, Parker, CO, 2:59.17
# # #

Jones Picks Up Fourth Title

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 00:00:00 MST

WINTER PARK, CO (April 2) - Allison Jones (standing; Colorado Springs, CO) kicked off the final day of racing at the 2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships with her fourth U.S. title as she finished first in the women's standing division during the super G race Thursday. It was Jones' fourth win in four events.

Jones was followed by Elitsa Storey (standing; Fraser, CO) in second and Canadian Melanie Schwartz in third.

In the women's sitting class Alana Nichols (sit-ski; Winter Park, CO) locked down her second title with a win, followed by Laurie Stephens (sit-ski; Wenham, MA) in second and Stephani Victor (sit-ski; Park City, UT) in third.

Canadian Jeff Dickson won the super G in the men's standing class. He was followed by Brad Washburn (standing; Highland Ranch, CO) who finished second and took the U.S. title, and Monte Meier (standing; Park City, UT) finished third.

Heath Calhoun (sit-ski; Snowmass Village, CO) took the U.S. title in the men's sitting division. Chris Devlin-Young (sit-ski; Campton, NH) finished second and Tyler Walker (sit-ski; Franconia, NH) was third.

The action at the 2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships continues later on Thursday with the super combined.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships
Winter Park, CO - April 2, 2009
Super G

Men's Sit-Ski
1. Heath Calhoun, Snowmass Village, CO, 1:04.19
2. Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, 1:04.90
3. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 1:05.55
4. Gregory Peck, Winter Park, CO, 1:05.68
5. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:06.24

Men's Standing
1. Jeff Dickson, Canada, 1:08.97
2. Brad Washburn, Highland Ranch, CO, 1:09.24
3. Monte Meier, Park City, UT, 1:09.85
4. Cameron Rahls-Rahbula, Australia, 1:10.51
5. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:11.34

Women's Sit-Ski
1. Alana Nichols, Winter Park, CO, 1:06.35
2. Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA, 1:06.42
3. Stephani Victor, Park City, UT, 1:09.93
4. Luba Lowery, Cumberland Foreside, ME, 1:15.52
5. Anna Turney, Great Britain, 1:18.53

Women's Standing
1. Allison Jones, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:11.44
2. Elitsa Storey, Fraser, CO, 1:15.62
3. Melanie Schwartz, Canada, 1:17.66
4. Emily Jansen, Australia, 1:21.43
5. Amber Avery, Parker, CO, 1:44.07
# # #

Jones Takes Third Title in Downhill

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 MST

WINTER PARK, CO (March 31) - Allison Jones (standing; Colorado Springs, CO) locked down her third U.S. title Tuesday as she finished nearly a second ahead of the competition in the downhill at the 2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships.

Jones was followed in the women's standing class by Elitsa Storey (Fraser, CO) in second and Australia's Emily Jansen in third.

In the women's sitting division local skier Alana Nichols (sit-ski; Winter Park, CO) took the U.S. title in first, followed by Laurie Stephens (sit-ski; Wenham, MA) in second and Anna Turney of Great Britain in third.

Chris Devlin-Young (sit-ski; Campton, NH) took first for the men's sitting division, followed by Joe Tompkins (sit-ski; Juneau, AK) in second and Canadian Luke Donovan in third.

In the men's standing division Australian Cameron Rahls-Rahbula won the downhill race followed by Canadian Jeff Dickson in second and Monte Meier (standing; Park City, UT) finished third to take the U.S. title.

The 2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships continues Thursday with both super G and super combined races.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships
Winter Park, CO - March 31, 2009
Downhill

Men's Sit-Ski
1. Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, 1:01.43
2. Joe Tompkins, Juneau, AK, 1:02.84
3. Luke Donovan, Canada, 1:04.21
4. Sam Ferguson, Aspen, CO, 1:05.68
5. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:05.88

Men's Standing
1. Cameron Rahls-Rahbula, Australia, 1:05:38
2. Jeff Dickson, Canada, 1:09.08
3. Monte Meier, Park City, UT, 1:10.29
4. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:10.65
5. Ted Broderick, Amherst, NH, 1:11.16

Women's Sit-Ski
1. Alana Nichols, Winter Park, CO, 1:04.07
2. Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA, 1:07.65
3. Anna Turney, Great Britain, 1:14.27
4. Stephani Victor, Park City, UT, 1:15.69
5. Luba Lowery, Cumberland Foreside, ME, 1:35.28

Women's Standing
1. Allison Jones, Colorado Springs, CO, 1:13.21
2. Elitsa Storey, Fraser, CO, 1:14.16
3. Emily Jansen, Australia, 1:22.35
4. Amber Avery, Parker, CO, 1:43.67
# # #

Jones Wins Second Gold

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:00:00 MST

WINTER PARK, CO (March 29) - Allison Jones (standing; Colorado Springs, CO) made it two U.S. titles in as many days as she won the giant slalom at the 2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships Sunday.

"I had a lot of fun and I always enjoy skiing at Winter Park," Jones said. "This is a great hill that present a lot of natural challenge. I hope to continue this and have fun in the speed events."

Chris Devlin-Young (sit-ski; Campton, NH) won the men's sitting division U.S. title, followed by Nick Catanzarite (sit-ski; Winter Park, CO) in second and Tyler Walker (sit-ski; Franconia, NH) in third.

"I had a decent first run and I was just barely in the lead, but on the second I got late for a few gates and it was enough to be overtaken by CDY and Nick, who skied very well," Walker said. "Both runs were a lot of fun though and it was awesome to have such a tight race."

Laurie Stephens (sit-ski; Wenham, MA) won the women's sit ski title for the U.S. Stephani Victor (sit-ski; Park City, UT) in second and Luba Lowery (sit-ski; Cumberland Foreside, ME) in third.

"Today's race went well, it was a beautiful sunny day with perfect snow conditions," Victor said. "I am still feeling a little burnt from the non-stop travel so I just could get enough juice to seal the win, but I felt good about my skiing overall."

Cameron Rahls-Rahbula of Australia won the men's giant slalom. Brad Washburn (standing; Highland Ranch, CO) finished second and, as the top U.S. finisher, took the title. Monte Meier (standing; Park City, UT) was third.

The 2009 Hartford U.S Adaptive Alpine Championships continues Tuesday with the downhill.

Click here for complete results.