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PCSS Newsletter September 2, 2020

By PCSS, 09/02/20, 9:45AM MDT

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  • Autumn is Upon Us
  • Upcoming Events
  • Club News
  • New to the Team!

AUTUMN IS UPON IS

A message from executive director, christie Hind

 

It is hard to believe that just 3 years ago, five local winter sports clubs came together to form Park City Ski & Snowboard. While many changes have occurred as we integrated our clubs into a single organization, the way PCSS has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic has been remarkable – and it speaks volumes about this community of coaches, staff, athletes, and families.

PCSS has made tremendous strides to come together as “One Club” during the past six months. During the truly unimaginable course of the pandemic, we have seen the very best in our coaches, staff and athletes. PCSS coaches and staff have outperformed in every way to work collaboratively to run the safest possible training sessions this summer and to prepare for a spectacular season ahead. I am equally impressed by our membership. You have trusted us enough to enroll in programs and adapted to new, daily protocols to ensure every athlete who comes to training is symptom-free.

It’s important to remember the cloud of uncertainty that was hanging over all sports programs across the nation in March and April, and there were many questions about whether training and competition could safely resume this summer. PCSS navigated these challenges to hold successful summer programs and camps across all divisions. Athletes were in the pool, on the trails, in the park, on rollerskis, on ski jumps, on mountain bikes and on the airbags – all while socially distancing! And more than 100 Alpine, Mogul and Park N’ Pipe athletes attended on-snow camps in Mt. Hood, Oregon this summer.  

PCSS has been a leader in our community by facing this pandemic head-on. We applied the care, thought, and seriousness required for our athletes to return to sport. We did so while maintaining a healthy and safe environment for our staff, and this allowed PCSS to continue to deliver best-in-class ski and snowboard programming. This was a tremendous accomplishment in the face of extreme uncertainty. I am proud of what our “One Club” did, and I hope you feel the same way. 

What the winter season might look like is anyone’s guess, and I am thankful to the village it has taken to lay the foundation for our future success: the PCSS Board of Managers; our partners at the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, Youth Sports Alliance, and Park City Mountain; and our local and national supporters who believe in the importance of winter sports. Regardless of the challenges that lie ahead, I have confidence we will continue to stay ahead of the curve by providing a safe environment for our community.

As always, I am thankful for your ongoing support and look forward to another great season.

– Christie Hind, Executive Director


UPCOMING EVENTS


PC FALL TRAIL SERIES

Join us for a fun trail running series in Park City at the Utah Olympic Park!

Friday Evenings: 5:30PM - 8:00PM

September 25 | October 2 | October 9 | October 23

$45 entry per race | Register for all four for $175 and receive a free T-shirt. Registration opens Wednesday, September 2nd!

#1: Iron Bill to Lower Moose Puddle - 4 miles | 800 ft elevation gain. A technical ascent followed by a flowy trail and a fast finish into the Jump Flats.

#2: Yeti’s to Moose Puddle - 7 miles | 1300 ft elevation gain. Our longest race featuring the upper UOP single track trails.

#3: Lower Moose Puddle to Iron Bill - 4 miles | 800 ft elevation gain. Push through the perimeters of the park then race up and down single track all the way back to the outruns.

#4: K120 Climb 60 Minute Criterium - 480 ft elevation gain per lap. Climb the largest ski jump at the park as many times as you can in 1 hour, descending on the trail. How many Red Bull 400’s can you do? 

Social Distancing and COVID-19 Protocols in Place! Face coverings required for Start/Finish area and when passing competitors.

Compete in all four races for a chance to win cash prizes for top overall series finishers!

Individual and race prizes for top 3 men, women and junior athletes 17 and younger at each race.

Swag giveaway for all racers.

Races take place on challenging technical terrain with elevation gain and descent. Courses will be marked but participants are responsible for knowing the course. Experience on trails is recommended for junior athletes.

To Register for the event, CLICK HERE.

To volunteer for the event, CLICK HERE.


BIKE the BOB

Yes, you read that right! On October 3rd, please join PCSS for an uphill cycling race on the iconic 2002 Winter Games Bobsled track! 

*qualification via time trial on UOP paved road or VIP access.

Registration live on Saturday, September 5th!


Athlete Volunteer opportunity

Park City Film is looking for athlete volunteers age 15 and older to help direct parking and sell popcorn during the Twilight Drive in at the Utah Olympic Park. 

This weekend’s movies include: 

  • Friday Sept. 4, 7:45 pm How to Train Your Dragon 
  • Friday Sept. 4, 9:30 pm The Go-Gos
  • Saturday Sept. 5, 7:45 pm Monty Python and the Holy Grail
  • Saturday Sept. 5, 9:30 pm Pulp Fiction
  • Sunday Sept. 6, 6:30 Wonder Woman
  • Sunday Sept. 6, 9:00 Almost Famous

To volunteer, contact Katie Koemans: kkoemans@parkcityss.org

For tickets: https://parkcityfilm.org/tickets/

*PCSS Alum, Lauren Macuga is collecting gift cards, hygiene items, and canned goods at this Friday's showings to benefit Christian Center Park City. Donors receive a FREE popcorn!


CLUB NEWS


Register for Winter Programs

The 2020-21 winter season is just around the corner, and registration for PCSS programs is open! Please visit the winter programs page at parkcityss.org for an overview of our sports, program offerings and coaching staff information. Make sure to register soon to avoid tuition increases!

Park city MOuntain update

On Thursday August 28, Park City Mountain sent out a press release indicating that it will be moving to a reservation system for the 20-21 season. Many of you have already reached out to ask whether this new policy will impact PCSS athletes who train and compete at Park City Mountain. We are in active discussions with the race department and mountain operations at Vail and will keep you posted as we learn more. PCSS has a very good relationship with our partner Vail Resorts/Park City Mountain and we have faith that creative solutions will be advanced.

Lockers/Locker Room at Park City Mountain

For the time being, lockers and locker rooms are on hold and cannot be accessed. As we get closer to the winter season, we will reevaluate our protocols and restrictions.


Jackson Crockett trains on the mogul lane at Mt. Hood

Summer Camp On SNOW Recap

PCSS coaches and athletes have been on snow this month at Mt. Hood. A huge thank you to Timberline for doing a great job of implementing social distancing and mask protocols to keep our teams safe and healthy.

Moguls - The moguls team had a very productive camp with new head coach Mikaela Wilson. Athletes from Wasatch Freestyle, Sun Valley, and Missoula Freestyle also joined the camp, making it a true collaboration between divisions.


Part of the freeski crew at the top of the venue in Mt. Hood.

Freeski - The freeski division hosted two camps in July, with the final one wrapping up August 1. They had lots of first time tricks, including some doubles and a triple, with athletes taking their hard work on the water ramps and airbag to snow. It was a great chance for athletes to finish work that got cut short from the last couple of weeks of the winter season as well. Timberline provided a great venue with strong COVID policies in place and enforced for safety. We were happy so many athlete families were able to get to the venue so we could meet them there each day.


Alpine Athletes at Mt. Hood Camp in August

Alpine - We had a great camp in Mt. Hood in August. The athletes were able to reinforce a lot of the positivity from their July Camp, and build on it. The snow went fast, but we had great training surfaces nearly every day, and some great learning as a result of it.

Great job to the athletes for staying focused, and the staff for all their hard work!

congratulations to YSA circle of excellence Showstopper and Best breakthrough performance of the year winners!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Kanzler - Sam Jackenthal Showstopper Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wes Campbell - Best Breakthrough Performance of the Year

 


NEW TO THE TEAM!

Meet Mikaela Wilson!

Moguls Head Coach

Mikaela is originally from Frisco, Colorado. She had a nine-year career as a member of the U.S. Ski Team and competed on the World Cup tour. Her career highlights include one World Cup victory and National Championship title. Fun fact: she is the first (and still the only) woman to win a mogul World Cup while performing a back-full. Mikaela has been coaching moguls and teaching pilates since retiring from competitive skiing. She recently graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science, and minors in Nutrition and Psychology. 

Meet ADam Loomis!

Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Head Coach

Adam Loomis was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Inspired by the Salt Lake Olympics, he first tried ski jumping at the age of 10. Adam worked his way through the ranks and spent six years competing for the U.S. Nordic Combined Team. His career included two World Championship births and two National Championship medals. While training and competing, Adam graduated with a Business Administration degree in 2017. Adam recently returned to Utah after a coaching stint in Anchorage, Alaska. He's passionate about inspiring young athletes and sharing his love for all things active. When he's not working with athletes, you can expect to find Adam running, skiing, biking or climbing in the mountains. Adam's "nonactive" interests are limited but largely include cooking, eating and spending quality time with friends. 

meet Kevin Keane!

Head Coach U14 (2nd Year)

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Kevin Keane grew up skiing in the White Mountains. After wrapping his competitive career and earning a degree in Sport Management, he pursued a career in coaching. For the last 10 years he has been coaching for the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club. He is very excited to continue his passion with Park City Ski & Snowboard. He looks forward to getting to know all of the athletes, parents, and staff that are a part of this great community.