Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team: Nomination Criteria 2024-25 Season

Each year, Anouk Patty, Chief of Sport with the Stifel US Ski Team, actively oversees the formulation of the team nomination criteria, a crucial yet often underappreciated aspect of her responsibilities. In this process, criticism is inevitable, and achieving perfection is impossible.

In a recent discussion about the Stifel US Alpine Team’s strategy for the upcoming 2024-25 season, Patty shed light on their approach to refining the nomination criteria. Reflecting on the past year’s efforts, Patty emphasized the team’s commitment to clarity and goal alignment. Last year, substantial structural changes were implemented to make the criteria transparent, reflective of team objectives, and inclusive of diverse pathways for aspiring athletes.

This year, while maintaining the overall structure, the team focused on fine-tuning the system with minor adjustments, particularly within the D Team category. These subtle tweaks signify the team’s dedication to continuous improvement, ensuring a fair and streamlined selection process for the talented individuals vying for a spot in the Stifel US Alpine Team’s prestigious roster.

A Team

Patty emphasized the high standards set for the A Team athletes. She states that their primary objective is to secure victories consistently or contend for podium positions in every race they participate in. The A Team represents excellence, focusing on top-tier performance. These athletes are expected to be relentless contenders, always striving for the podium. Patty’s clear vision underscores the team’s commitment to fostering a winning culture, pushing A Team members to their limits and beyond, and ensuring they remain at the forefront of competitive alpine skiing.

B Team

Patty outlines the objectives for the B Team athletes, highlighting their remarkable journey of progress and determination. B Team members are the rising stars, steadily gaining momentum on the World Cup stage. They actively pursue their path by periodically breaking into the top 30 at World Cups, showcasing their growth. Moreover, when these talented individuals transition to Europa Cup competitions, they excel, frequently securing podium positions. Patty emphasizes their consistent efforts to ascend the ranks, setting the stage for a promising future at the highest level of competitive alpine skiing.

C Team

According to Patty, the C Team is comprised of rising athletes who have demonstrated exceptional results by clinching podium positions at the North American Cup (NorAm) and steadily building momentum at the Europa Cups (ECs). This tiered progression system ensures that athletes achieve significant victories at their current level before advancing to the next competition stage. The athletes earn their place on the C Team as they excel and secure podium finishes.

D Team experiences biggest evolution

Patty’s vision for the D Team emphasizes the need for precision and clarity in their selection criteria, aiming to identify athletes consistently performing at the top of the North American Cup standings. This strategic approach underscores the team’s dedication to recognizing talent, providing aspiring athletes with clear pathways to success, and fostering a culture of excellence within the Stifel US Alpine Team.

In a strategic shift that Patty has outlined, the Stifel US Alpine Team is actively reshaping its approach to athlete selection. The focus is on encouraging head-to-head competition, discouraging athletes from chasing points in far-flung races. To reinforce this shift, the team has eliminated the reliance on FIS world rank, concentrating solely on the competition within the NorAm standings. This deliberate move directs athletes’ attention to excelling within the preeminent North American circuit.

Moreover, the team is seeking versatility, encouraging athletes to excel in multiple disciplines, thereby promoting well-rounded skiing. While acknowledging the possibility of specialization in the later stages of their careers, the emphasis at a young age is on athletes competing and excelling across various disciplines. This proactive approach not only refines the selection process but also nurtures a generation of alpine skiers who display skill, adaptability and a holistic approach to the sport.

The quality of the US Alpine Club programs changes the landscape of the D team

Addressing the changes to the D Team criteria, Patty highlighted the evolving landscape of resources within Alpine clubs. With clubs now extensively equipped with top-notch training arenas and gym facilities, expert coaches, sports psychology support, and access to international training, the team’s selection criteria for the D Team have adapted accordingly.

To merit inclusion in the D Team, athletes should receive programming and support surpassing their clubs’ resources. However, for many elite athletes, their clubs can provide superior training and guidance for their level. The team programming must also be cost-effective, aligning with the team’s budget constraints. Patty emphasized the need to strike a balance between the number of athletes on the team, the available budget, and the high standards set by the team. This strategic approach ensures that athletes receive the best possible support, enabling them to thrive and excel within the Stifel US Alpine Team.

Eliminating the two-year nomination period

The two-year nomination period for athletes who met the objective criteria has been eliminated.

The decision to eliminate the two-year nomination period was driven by its ineffectiveness. This change was necessary to shift the culture within the team, ensuring that athletes are selected based on objective criteria and merit. The initial criteria had led to a pattern where previously nominated individuals were given preference, creating a system that didn’t necessarily prioritize consistent performance.

Patty emphasized the importance of athletes proving their abilities every year, like the expectations in many other professional sports. Unlike the past approach, which provided a sense of stability but inadvertently fostered complacency, the revised structure demands continuous excellence from athletes. The team now focuses on supporting athletes to achieve their best, promoting a competitive environment where spots are earned through continued dedication and outstanding performance rather than being granted automatically. This active approach aligns with the team’s commitment to nurturing a culture of pushing athletes to reach their full potential.

Conclusion

The Stifel US Alpine Team, led by Chief of Sport Anouk Patty, has undergone strategic nomination criteria changes for the 2024-25 season. The team eliminated the two-year nomination period, focusing on ongoing achievements rather than past records. Emphasizing head-to-head competition and NorAm standings, the team seeks to promote competitiveness and skill development amongst the development ages. These active measures underscore the team’s commitment to meritocracy, excellence and a future of high-performing athletes.

click on the images to download the Stifel USST Alpine 2024-25 criteria