US Ski Team stars support B team athletes with fundraiser

On Nov. 16, Lindsey Vonn and Steven Nyman will join a fundraiser in Vail, Colo. to benefit the men and women of the alpine B team in a show of support for their teammates. The event at Yama Sushi in Vail is hosted by U.S. Ski Team Men’s Team Physician Dr. Randy Viola and his brother Charley Viola along with the Steadman Philippon Research Institute.

Fundraisers like this one help athletes relieve some of the financial pressure of having to raise money while training and racing full time. Each B team athlete pays $10,000 to be on the team and an additional $10,000 to cover travel expenses. Last year, this event raised $40,000 to help offset travel costs for the those athletes, and the team is hoping to exceed that number this time around.

“It’s way different this year,” B team athlete Jared Goldberg told RacerEx. “Some people would give more to the ski team if they knew where it was going. This event gives people that choice. The money raised goes directly to B team athletes.”

Goldberg hopes the event will raise half of their annual contribution needs and indicated that athlete involvement in publicizing the fundraiser is much higher this year.

“If we could get $10,000 per athlete that would be above and beyond!” he continued.

B team athletes Tommy Beismeyer, Jared Goldberg, Bryce Bennett, Breezy Johnson, Jacqueline Wiles and Anna Marno are all slated to attend.  The suggested donation for attendees is $1,000 per person. In addition to a night of cocktails and mingling with some of the best skiers in the U.S., the event features silent and live auctions with items like U.S. Ski Team race suits signed and donated by Ted Ligety and Lindsey Vonn, plus lift tickets and accommodations at Park City, Utah, Vail, and Jackson Hole, Wyo. Raffle tickets will give attendees a chance to win a U.S. Ski Team jacket signed by the entire B team. 

To RSVP or to make a donation contact Susan Ganter at sganter@ussa.org.