In the season of Dickens great expectations abound for the Hailey Ski Team.
Head coach Kenny Corrock said, "I am really excited about this year. We have kept these kids for five years now and our goals are the Junior Olympics and Western Championships. We have good shots this year."
The HST boasts 20 racers in the J1, J2 and J3 ranks with 17 high school-aged racers.
"A lot of our kids our skiing well right now and have lots of potential," Corrock said.
Among them are John Anderson, Tyler Chandler, Ben Luck, Dewey Moss, and John David Davidson, who has already turned in some strong early-season results.
Barrett Cincotta and Meghan Luck are both ranked in the top five in the J3 Intermountain Division and are racing in Utah this week for a chance to represent the U.S. at the Junior World Championships in Italy in February.
"They have legitimate shots," Corrock said.
HST executive director Matt Brown said he has a strong contingent of J4 racers, including a pack of girls who are extremely competitive.
"They really push each other," Brown said. "Our J4's should be shooting for a podium spot every week."
Some of Hailey's standout J4's are Nina Hirner, Grace Brown, Hannah Rudolph, Delaney Willey, Erica Eshman, Miles Sweek and Ryan Foster.
"We have another 10 kids that are good too," Brown added. "For our J4's I think we would like to peak for the Intermountain Championships and be on podium with our girls and guys."
Hailey has created a new Home Team with seven skiers.
"We are introducing them to a team atmosphere and kids can move up through our system," Brown said.
Coaches Tyler Corrock and Wes Powell head up the J4/J5 Home Team and Brown said they emphasize more aggressive skiing.
"We get them to ski a little faster and take them on more variable terrain," he said.
In all the team boasts 72 racers.
"It's a good group," Brown remarked.
In its 24th year of operation, the Hailey Ski Team is a non-profit corporation, designed to be more affordable. The organization also emphasizes sportsmanship and personal development.
"We want to create good people and good sports," Brown said. "And out of that good things will come."
