Who will be the new face of alpine skiing on USSA’s Board of Directors?

By Published On: December 15th, 2015Comments Off on Who will be the new face of alpine skiing on USSA’s Board of Directors?

As mandated by the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, USSA has specific athlete representatives named to its Board of Directors, granting each discipline – alpine, cross country, freestyle, jumping/Nordic combined and snowboarding – a voice in major decisions that affect athletes competing in the United States.

For the last three years, Rowmark Ski Academy and Williams College alumnus Charles Christianson has served in this position, speaking up for the interests of alpine ski racers across the country. His term is coming to end, however, and voting is now open to a small group of athletes to choose the new face of USSA alpine skiing athletes.

“The Athlete Representative is hugely important because he or she represents our seat at the table, and it’s a pretty small table,” Christianson noted. “It creates a real opportunity for athletes to have an active voice in affecting real change, not just talk about it afterwards on the chairlift.”

The criteria for nominees and voting are the same and are pulled directly from Athlete Representative criteria for the United States Olympic Committee. Eligible candidates and voters must have finished in the top half at U.S. Nationals in any event in the past 24 months at the time of election or have been named to the Olympic or World Champion team in their sport within the past 10 years.

“Anyone who has chosen to run for the position certainly has the enthusiasm and the drive to represent the athletes, and it’s great to see such a diverse set of nominees representing all levels of skiing,” Christianson said. “Translating that passion into action is a lot of fun, but sometimes it’s less dramatic than you might think (read: conference calls and emails are a very real and, unfortunately, an important part of the process).”

Below are the six candidates who are vying for the Alpine Athlete Representative position. Ballots have been emailed by USSA to all eligible voters (check your spam filter if you believe you are eligible and have not seen the email), and voting closes on December 30, 2015.


2013-14 U.S. Alpine Ski Team Photo: Sarah Brunson/U.S. Ski Team

WILL BRANDENBURG
Ketchum, ID

Who is Will Brandenburg?
I was born in Walla Walla, Washington, and began skiing at 11 months and started racing at age seven at Ski Bluewood near Dayton Washington. I moved with my family to Spokane as a youth, then raced with the Spokane Ski Racing Association at Mt. Spokane, and later at Schweitzer Mountain near Sandpoint in nearby northern Idaho.

I was named to the U.S. development team in May 2006. At the 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships in April, he placed second in the giant slalom in at Alyeska, won by Ted Ligety. A day earlier, I was named U.S. junior alpine ski racer of the year by Ski Racing magazine.

I was named to the U.S. team for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and finished tenth in super combined event, won by Bode Miller, and had the second best time in its slalom run, behind Ligety. I was also a member of the U.S. team for the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World Championships and raced in the slalom.

My best World Cup finish is sixth place in a slalom at Kranjska Gora in March 2012.

I won the combined event at the 2013 U.S. Alpine Championships at Squaw Valley.

Why would you like to run for this position?
I feel I can be a strong voice for the athletes on the board. I truly love the sport of ski racing and want to help the sport in our country anyway I can. My new coaching role in Sun Valley has fueled my passion for this sport and has given me an interesting prospective to share.

Jaime Dupratt, University of Utah Nordic and Alpine Ski team team  Oct. 27, 2011 in Salt Lake City.  (Photo/Steve C. Wilson)

JAIME DUPRATT
Salt Lake City, UT

Who is Jamie Dupratt?
I grew up ski racing for the Squaw Valley Ski Team until I was 15 years old when I then moved to the Park City Ski Team. I competed at the Nor-Am level and earned a spot on University of Utah Ski Team from 2010-2014. I have qualified for six U.S. Nationals and competed in four of those six. As a collegiate athlete, I was consistently ranked in the top 10 in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association. 

Why would you like to run for this position?
As an athlete, I have experienced multiple different levels that exist within USSA. I have also witnessed the path that my younger brother has taken to become a member of the U.S. Ski Team. I am now a coach for U-14’s at the Park City Ski Team and this gives me an insight into the younger development years. I want to be able to represent the athletes that I care so much about and to help further the sport of alpine skiing. I believe that I bring a unique aspect from my experience as both a coach and a recent athlete. I value every athlete that is able to experience ski racing whether they are there to make new friends, learn how to race faster, or have dreams of the World Cup. Each one brings something to the sport and I would appreciate the opportunity to give them a voice on the USSA Board.

2013-14 U.S. Alpine Ski Team Photo: Sarah Brunson/U.S. Ski Team

JULIA FORD
Holderness, NH

Who is Julia Ford?

  • Sochi Olympian 2014
  • 6 year member of the US Ski Team
  • 3 national DH championships
  • 2015 DH NorAM Champion
  • 2012 NorAM Overall Champion
  • 3 time World Juniors team member
  • 2009 Junior of the Year

Why would you like to run for this position?
The reason I want to run for the athlete rep position is to use my knowledge and experience of the system to help the athletes. By being a bridge between the board and the realities of being an athlete in the system, I feel I can help connect the office happenings to what actually happens on snow. I have experienced every level of skiing and endured a lot as an athlete. I feel this enables me to understand the athlete’s position and I want to use that to mend the gap between the initiatives the board undertakes and what is best for the athletes at all levels of the sport. I want the chance to help make ski racing in the US better and give back to the sport and people that have been such a large part of my life.

The USST World Cup Women Technical Event squad in front of the Aspen Highlands, CO ski area on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006.

JESSICA KELLEY
Park City, UT

Who is Jessica Kelley?

  • US Ski Team member from 2001-2010.  (D-Team 2001, C-team 2002-2004, B-Team 2004-2010).
  • Member of the 2007 World Championship team and 2001 and 2002 World Junior Team.
  • Silver medalist in Giant Slalom in the 2002 World Junior Championships.
  • 3-Time NorAm Giant Slalom Overall champion. 2003, 2005, 2007
  • 2nd Place 2003 U.S. Nationals Giant Slalom
  • 3rd Place 2004 U.S. Nationals Giant Slalom
  • Best World Cup result, 17th Giant Slalom Sierra Nevada, Spain, 2007

Why would you like to run for this position?
My interest in running for this position stems from a deep love and skiing and ski racing and the desire to improve the development of ski racers in our country. It is easy to sit back and critique the ways of USSA, but the best way to help make a change is to get involved, which is what I am striving to do. I have already been a part of multiple committees as well as a member of the ski team for a number of years and have a deep history in the sport through my family roots. With the change at the top of the organization, I truly believe good things are coming. The depth and development of the alpine team has been struggling for the past few years and improving that area is the only way to ensure future success as a country. I would love to have a voice and help to improve all these areas through this position. Thank you for your consideration.

 

2013-14 U.S. Alpine Ski Team Photo: Sarah Brunson/U.S. Ski Team

KEITH MOFFAT
Berkeley, CA

Who is Keith Moffat?
I started ski racing with Squaw Valley’s junior race program as a weekend skier. That introduction evolved into a lifelong passion and provided an introduction to many of my best friends, closest competitors, and USST teammates.

I competed with the Squaw Valley Race Team until I was named to the USST D team in 2009.  I experienced success with the USST, including NorAm podiums and 4th in the World Junior Championship Downhill at Crans-Montana in 2011.  I also experienced a number of setbacks, with a different season-ending injury each of my five seasons on the USST.  Regardless, I am proud of the work I have put in, appreciate the commitment required to succeed at the highest level of sport, and value the grit that ski racing has provided me as a person.

While not competing with the USST, I have been able to attend Dartmouth College and have completed a degree in Engineering.  My time at Dartmouth, and with the Dartmouth team, has made clear to me the benefits of collegiate ski racing. 

I believe my ski racing experience has prepared me well to represent our athletes because it has enabled me to relate to the range of challenges faced by athletes on the Team pushing for the highest levels of success, as well as the athletes just outside of the National Team program.  I understand what success in ski racing feels like, and I understand how difficult our sport can be.

Why would you like to run for this position?
With Charles leaving the Athlete Rep position, it is critical that we follow him with a representative who can continue his initiatives, and introduce new ideas.  Charles’ initiative to better utilize NCAA programs has shown the impact that an athlete rep can have.  I want to follow through with Charles’ work, and represent athlete interests by being an effective advocate in a few key areas:

  • Athlete funding
  • Athlete safety/medical coverage
  • Growing the popularity of the sport

I believe that I am not alone in thinking that the voices of our athletes are often lost in USSA’s pursuit of being the best in the world.  I want to provide a strong voice that represents the athletes’ interests regarding their performance as well as their life interests, both short and long term.  I believe that positive change requires a combination of strong representation and constructive collaboration with the USSA.

The US Ski Team is in a critical transitional period.  On both the men’s and women’s sides, the Team has some of the best skiers in the world as well as a very talented group of young athletes.  The USSA is in a transitional period as well, with exciting new leadership, ideas, and goals.  I would be honored to serve the ski racing community during this period to improve the experience of being a ski racer in the United States.

 

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WARNER NICKERSON
Gilford, NH

Who is Warner Nickerson? 

  • High School Graduate, New Hampton School, NH
  • Colby College Graduate, Double Major in Economics and Government
  • 2011 World Championship GS Team
  • Rigorous Supporter of Fun
  • 8 College Carnival Victories
  • 2 Time NCAA All-American
  • 2 Medals at World University Games
  • 4 U.S. National Podiums
  • 44 FIS Victories
  • Currently a Private Ski Coach

Why would you like to run for this position?
Over my 20+ years as a USSA athlete, I have experienced many different facets of the organization.  From being a struggling junior and college skier trying to land quota spots to race Nor-Ams and U.S. Nationals to being on the USST and a member of the 2011 World Championship Team to being cut and fending for myself.  There is no question there are many issues and concerns USSA must consider and address to take care of their most prized asset, the athletes that have been overlooked and or neglected.  It would be my honor and privilege to fight for athletes tooth and nail on every issue if elected as the Alpine Athlete Representative. 

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About the Author: Gabbi Hall

A California native, Gabbi moved to Vermont to ski on the NCAA circuit for St. Michael’s College, where she served as team captain and studied journalism. Before joining Ski Racing, she worked as a broadcast TV producer and social media manager in higher education. She can be reached via email at gabbi@skiracing.com