Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Hailey Ski Team undergoes changes

Intro program a big draw


"We've had a large staff change and now we're going back to the way we used to be—a grass-roots feeder program," said new Hailey Ski Team program director and head coach Galen Webster.

Finish carpenter and local volunteer fireman Webster, 31, is starting his fourth season with the Hailey Ski Team and 11th year of ski coaching. Raised in Syracuse, N.Y., he ski raced at Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont.

Because of his background, Webster has a pretty good idea of what the family and community-based alpine ski program is trying to accomplish.

"I see us as providing a different service," he said. "We're an after-school type program that takes kids up to the age of 14. If they are ripping-type skiers, we send them to the Sun Valley Ski Team with all our blessings," said Webster.

This year, the roster of 60 skiers on the Intro team is "the biggest we've ever had," Webster said. He added, "It correlates directly to the growth of the valley. I'm delighted to see families interested in the grass-roots program we're offering."

The 2005-06 Hailey Ski Team consists of six teams: Intro (ages 7-11, tuition $495), Home Team (ages 8-12, tuition $675), the J4/J5 team (9-12, $1,275), the J3 team (13-14, $2,085) and the J1/J2 team (15-19, $2,995).

While Hailey's emphasis is on the younger kids, Webster said, "We welcome kids 15-18 who don't want to miss a lot of school but still want to be involved in ski racing."

Among the J3 racers are Hannah Lynch, Rory Lynch, Delaney Willey, Nina Hirner, Ryan Foster and Halsey Pierce.

J4/J5 skiers include Telar McClure, Gardner Cord, Nicole Pratt, Sierra Fox, Miles Sweek, Amanda Stelling, Alexi Fitch, Kyra Wiethorn and Marly Morgus.

Coaches include head Intro team head coach Heidi Wilt, head J4/J5 coach Matt Murphy, head J1/J2 coach Nate Schwing, J3 coach Elizabeth Hamachek, J5 coach Lilly Davies plus Home Team coaches Renz Fankhanel and Charlie Baser.




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