NASTAR Nationals return to Steamboat in 2017

By Published On: July 8th, 2016Comments Off on NASTAR Nationals return to Steamboat in 2017

The best recreational racers in the U.S. will return to Colorado this season for the NASTAR National Championships March 23 – 26, 2017 at Steamboat Resort. Steamboat has hosted the event five times, boasting some of the highest participation numbers in the program’s history.

Last season, nearly 1,000 competitors ages three to 89 competed in individual and team races at nationals. The resort has a long record of preparing and maintaining competition venues for athletes and spectators.

“Steamboat has a storied history of being involved with competitive skiing, and we’re equally supportive of recreational skiers and riders,” said Rob Perlman, president and chief operating officer at Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. “After last year’s successful finals, we are thrilled to have an additional opportunity to stay involved with recreational racing and host the NASTAR community in Ski Town, U.S.A. again this winter. Together with USSA, we are confident the 2017 nationals will be another exceptional, not-to-be-missed event.”

2016 Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships - Steamboat, CO Photo © Camara Photography

Last season was the first season NASTAR ran under the U.S. Ski Team umbrella, giving recreational racers the opportunity to meet and interact with their favorite U.S. Ski Team stars. Olympic Champion Ted Ligety, Travis Ganong, Marco Sullivan and Jackie Wiles were just a few of the national team athletes that participated in NASTAR Nationals in 2016. Athletes will be traveling to Steamboat again this year to host race clinics, participate in races and help promote the sport.

“The love of ski racing and absolute joy of participation within the NASTAR community is remarkable,” said USSA Vice President of Events, Calum Clark. “Bringing NASTAR under the U.S. Ski Team umbrella allowed us to lower the barrier to entry and give people an opportunity to try racing for the first time. It not only helps us grow our market base, but also sparks interest in competing in the sport.”

NASTAR participants can qualify for the championships in Steamboat by earning a top ten national ranking or a top five state ranking within their age, gender and ability group. Racers can also earn a spot by taking home a top ranking at their favorite resort or at the Regional Championships. The 2017 NASTAR National Championships will be part of a national celebration of alpine ski racing in conjunction with the U.S. Alpine Championships, taking place March 25-28 at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort in Maine. The integrated schedule will allow U.S. Ski Team stars coming from the Audi FIS World Cup Finals in Aspen to participate in both championship events.

Release and photos courtesy of USSA

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