Alpine Eastern J3 Junior Olympics preview

Waterville Valley Black and Blue Trail Smashers, which operates the BBTS Ski Club and Waterville Valley Academy, is the proud host of the 2008 USSA Junior Olympics in Waterville Valley, N.H. Close to 165 elite 13 and 14 year old male and female alpine racers from as far south as the Carolina’s to the northern most points of the state of Maine will gather together from March 9-12 at Waterville Valley Ski Area to compete in Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G.
    Athletes competing at the Junior Olympics are the best United States Ski Association racers in their age class in the eastern United States, each qualifying from their respective state for a spot in this elite competition. Not only is earning a spot at the Junior Olympics a huge honor for these young athletes but it is also the stepping stone to qualify for the international J3 alpine races at Whistler Cup which features the best 13- and 14-year-old alpine racers in the world. Many U.S. Olympians have competed as Junior Olympians. Six athletes (3 female, 3 male) will qualify for the Whistler Cup and 10 athletes (5 male and 5 female) will qualify for J3 Canadian National Championships, this year in Silver Star, BC Canada.
    Waterville Valley Ski Area and WVBBTS have a rich history of hosting large alpine competitions, including World Cups featuring the best alpine racers in the world. WVBBTS also has a rich history of producing elite alpine, freestyle and snowboard athletes on the superior venues provided them by its ever committed host mountain-Waterville Valley Ski Area.
    WVBBTS and Waterville Valley Academy are thrilled to host these elite J3 athletes, their families and their coaches this coming March with many thanks to the ongoing support of Waterville Valley Ski Area. WVBBTS will sponsor an array of special activities, both on snow and off, throughout the four-day event to make this a memorable event for all involved.
    Tom Barbeau, WVBBTS executive director of athletes, head alpine J3 coach and chairperson of the 2008 USSA Junior Olympics here in Waterville Valley, enthusiastically shared with us, “Being asked to host the Junior Olympics is truly an honor for our organization. Events of this stature are only made possible through the dedication of our volunteer membership who will staff the competitions and the undaunting commitment of Waterville Valley Ski Area, which will create the superior venues needed to compliment the talents of these fine young athletes.”
    Peter Stokloza, CEO and executive director of WVBBTS said, “We are very proud to share the Town of Waterville Valley with the many alpine families who will travel from throughout the eastern United States to take part in this event.  Waterville Valley has got to be the most beautiful campus an organization could ask for nestled in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest.”
    WVBBTS operates the BBTS Ski Club, one of the oldest ski clubs in the country, which offers season-long weekend training to alpine, freestyle and snowboard athletes. WVBBTS also operates Waterville Valley Academy, a full time five month academic and snowsports training academy for elite alpine, freestyle and snowboard athletes. 
    For more information about WVBBTS and the 2008 USSA Junior Olympics, log on to www.wvbbts.org or call us at 603-236-4612.