NASTAR has signed U.S. ski racing star Julia Mancuso as an official ambassador.

NASTAR (NAtional STAndard Race) has proven to be the introduction to ski racing for thousands of American skiers with a handicapping system allowing comparisons to skiers across the nation. Mancuso was one of those who first made turns on a race course through NASTAR.

“I remember the first day I ski raced at age eight with my parents on a NASTAR course in Tahoe,” Mancuso said. “It was super fun being able to carve turns really fast and (it) fostered a dream to one day be in the Olympics.  Nineteen years later, I’ve been privileged to ski in the 2002, 2006, 2010 Olympics – I guess you could say my dream came true.”

It came vividly true in 2006 when she won the gold medal in giant slalom. In 2010 she added two more silver medals, in downhill and combined.

“It is an honor to have 2006 Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso as our Nature Valley NASTAR ambassador,” said Johnny Alamo, NASTAR executive director of Partnerships&Strategic Alliances. “Julia is one of the most decorated female ski racing athletes in the world and an inspiration to the next generation of ski racing. Julia will join the ranks of NASTAR ambassador Ted Ligety as we grow our roster of elite role models / spokespersons.

One of the most accomplished American female alpine skiers of all time, Mancuso embodies the NASTAR brand’s championship D.N.A. and has the credentials to prove it. Her resume highlights include three Olympic gold medals, five World Cup wins, four World Championship medals and a historic 12 National Championship crowns.
 
Known as “Super Jules” since her early days as a promising amateur at Squaw Valley Resort, Mancuso is revered equally for her athletic achievements as she is for her philanthropic endeavors and spends a large bulk of her time off the hill working with charitable organizations.  In addition to her career as a professional athlete and her work with charity, Mancuso recently displayed her entrepreneurial spirit with the launch of Big Truck Headwear.  Based in Tahoe, the custom hat company was founded on creativity and individual style expression.