Nyman, Ciccone to mentor some speedy juniors

Spyder is promoting speed with a new program that taps into the junior market.
SPYDER is promoting speed with a new program that taps into the junior market.
    How’s this for a promo? “It’s in your blood. You can’t help it. You can’t explain it. You see an open slope and you have to bomb it. You are a speed freak. There is no cure. But there is a support group — Spyder’s newly formed SpeedFreaks team.”
    Spyder invited athletes ranked in the top three in J3 and J4 races last season to represent the inaugural SpeedFreak team. U.S. Ski Team members Steven Nyman and Caitlin Ciccone will spearhead the group. Throughout the year, they will offer race advice and gear tips — and most importantly mentorship — to the young racers.
    “To have Steven and I involved is a cool thing,” Ciccone said. “Companies never really do things with world-class athletes and the young ones coming up. When I was young, I always looked up to people in my situation, and to be in a program with them would have been awesome. I am glad to take part in it.”
    The program will officially launch at Beaver Creek, Colorado, during the Birds of Prey men’s World Cup races Nov. 28 through Dec. 2. Check out the Web site www.speedfreaks.spyder.com after the launch of the program. There, the junior racers will write about their experiences on the Spyder SpeedFreaks under the wings of Nyman and Ciccone.
    “It’s about giving back,” said Spyder’s Phil Shettig, who is heading the program. “It’s really about opening up to these kids and what they do, and make sure there is a lot of goodwill within the community.”