The Sierra Nevada University Ski Team needs your support! We are an alpine racing team that competes at the USCSA Collegiate level, seeking to uphold our reputation as one of the nation’s most successful collegiate athletic programs. Our ski team is the defending USCSA National Champion team for the twenty-sixth time, and we are determined to increase that number. We are seventeen student-athletes from across the world who came to America to fulfill the dream of combining ski racing and education. Our drive and work ethic continues to help us excel at school and on ski slopes!

The USCSA season was unfortunately canceled this past winter due to the global pandemic. We were fortunate enough to compete at FIS competitions across the region, showing some outstanding results. As a team, we accumulated 37 podiums, 16 victories, 11 second places, 10 third places, and many more top 10 results.

We train early in the morning, six days per week before classes begin. Despite the challenge of combining ski racing and school, our willingness for relentless success keeps us fighting. We push each other forward and help each other grow together. 

Like many other businesses and teams, the pandemic has injured our program’s financial backbone and opportunities. It also forced the temporary closure of winter resorts we usually use for training, cutting our competition season short and eliminating spring training. We are looking to FIS circuit races as a critical component outside of our USCSA races to regain lost ground. These elite races provide us with the essential experience and development taken away by COVID-19, especially for our freshman and sophomore athletes.

We are hoping to raise $20,000 to cover travel expenses such as lodging, food, entry fees, and lift tickets associated with these crucial FIS races throughout the coming season. Every year we train hard to make our dreams happen, and we are proud to be representing SNU at the USCSA National Championships. The raised money will provide our athletes essential supplies and support needed to operate as a continuing National Champions program.

We understand that many people are facing difficult situations, and any help you may be able to give is appreciated. Your contribution will provide us with a fighting chance to be the top contender for more USCSA national titles and further help us complete our studies in the US.

Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle.

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About the Author: Mihaela Kosi