River Radamus & Stifel U.S. Ski Team Head Men’s Coach Mark Tilston Photo: Ski Racing Media
On May 18–19, Aldo Radamus of Team Summit and Darlene Nolting of the Rocky/Central Division hosted a unique two-day forum that brought together staff from the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and coaches from the Rocky Mountain Division for open, substantive conversations about technique, tactics, and athlete development.
Engaged Coaching Conversations Led by National Staff
Each day began with a panel led by Head Men’s Coach Mark Tilston, joined Saturday by World Cup coaches Clement Tomamichel and Nate Bryant, and Sunday by Tomamichel, Matt Underhill, and Europa Cup coach Mike Bansmer. The sessions focused on giant slalom technique and tactics—relevant to all genders—and on development pathways for aspiring athletes. While all Stifel U.S. Ski Team panelists and athletes were male, that was only because the men’s team was available between training sessions in Copper Mountain.
Diverse Audience Brought Experience and Credibility
The audience included coaches working at every level of the sport, from club and FIS programs to collegiate and regional staff. Among them was a former World Cup athlete who now coaches young skiers while continuing her Olympic journey representing her husband’s native Mexico. While skiing for the U.S. Team, she earned four World Cup podiums in two events, including a slalom victory in 2005, and was the first Colorado native to win an Alpine World Cup race. Now coaching and raising a junior ski racer of her own, she brought lived experience and added credibility to the discussions.
Open Dialogue Encouraged and Respected
Tilston welcomed participation from the room and encouraged questions throughout. Coaches offered varying viewpoints, some of which challenged the national staff’s positions, but every exchange remained respectful and productive. The result was an extraordinary coaching education opportunity—thorough, candid, and deeply engaging from start to finish.
Aldo Radamus, who served as moderator for all four sessions, kept the conversation focused and constructive without ever limiting input. His approach encouraged honest dialogue and ensured everyone had an opportunity to be heard.
Athlete Panels Offered Honest Perspective
The athlete panels added rare and valuable perspective. Saturday featured Bridger Gile, River Radamus, and Isaiah Nelson—World Cup GS athletes at different stages of their careers. Each gave an honest assessment of their skiing, described the specific solutions they are applying to meet current challenges, and emphasized the importance of being their own best coach. As they explained, only the athlete truly experiences the entire run—what they felt, saw, and reacted to in the moment. Still, they emphasized the importance of exchanging observations among themselves and with their coaches to understand their performance better and refine their approach.
During Saturday’s discussion, Radamus also reflected on his fourth-place finish in the 2022 Olympic giant slalom, calling it one of his most difficult days. While friends and fans saw it as a career highlight, missing the podium by just 0.26 seconds was deeply disappointing. His honesty resonated, reinforcing how elite performance demands both technical mastery and emotional resilience.
Sunday Panel Highlighted Early-Career Challenges and Support Systems
Sunday’s panel showcased a different stage of the athlete journey. River Radamus returned to the panel and was joined by Europa Cup slalom specialists Camden Palmquist and Stanley Buzek. The discussion revealed how each athlete is navigating the demands of early-career development.
Buzek, just 19, spoke with striking openness about the mental toll of transatlantic travel—crossing the ocean 12 times last season—and the isolation that can come from a narrowly focused, high-pressure environment. He talked about missing connection with close friends and the importance of balance beyond hotels, fitness rooms, and training lanes. Despite his youth, Buzek has earned a personal World Cup slalom start position for next season through the NorAm Cup, and his perspective added depth and vulnerability to the conversation.
Motivation, Confidence, and the Role of Great Coaching
Palmquist, 22, shared how his confidence has grown after scoring Europa Cup slalom points and earning two World Cup starts this past season. He expressed satisfaction with the support around him and highlighted how clarity in his program has helped him stay focused and motivated.
Radamus spoke again, this time reflecting on the critical value of appropriate coaching at every level of his development. He credited much of his growth to the consistent, thoughtful instruction he received from the very beginning—starting with after-school skiing alongside his mother, Sara Radamus, a world-class coach and influential figure in his early development.
All three athletes emphasized the importance of strong coaching relationships, clear communication, and the deep support of their ski racing communities in helping them pursue long-term goals.
Valuable Insight for the Entire Ski Racing Community
The frankness and honesty of every panelist—both coaches and athletes—made each session authentic and impactful. As someone who wasn’t sure what to expect, I found the experience unexpectedly powerful—engaged from the opening minute to the final question and left each day wanting more.
Four full recordings—one from each session—are now available. These videos offer rare and valuable insight for anyone invested in ski racing, whether you’re a coach, parent, athlete, or simply a passionate fan eager to understand the sport better.
Click the links below to watch all four sessions.
Watch the full sessions below—featuring frank, free-flowing conversations with coaches and athletes. Note: some portions include brief sections of adult language.
Watch the Discussions: [Saturday, May 17 Sessions] (Passcode: A1a&Gq%U) and [Sunday, May 18 Sessions] (Passcode: 7jX.jkao)
The athlete roundtable begins at 2:12:40 in the Saturday session and at 2:20:50 in the Sunday session.
About the Author: Peter Lange
