Idaho Mountain Express: Party to support ‘6 at Sochi’ goal

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Party to support ‘6 at Sochi’ goal

Ketchum event to promote potential 2014 Olympians

By BRENNAN REGO
Express Staff Writer

Courtesy photo by David Wheelock The cross-country Gold team poses in front of Bald Mountain. From left to right are: Mike Sinnott, Chelsea Holmes, Reid Pletcher, Alexa Turzian, Simi Hamilton, Lucy LeGarrec, Patrick Johnson, Mali Noyes, Matt Gelso and Cross-Country Gold Team Coach Colin Rodgers.

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation will host its second annual "6 at Sochi Celebration" on Thursday, Aug. 16, at Ketchum Town Square from 6-9 p.m. The event is planned to raise awareness about and funds to support the foundation's Gold Team athletes, as well as to promote the organization's goal of sending at least six of the fifteen Gold Team athletes to the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Foundation Gold Team and junior athletes and coaches, as well Wood River Ability Program para-athletes, will be present.

The family-friendly celebration will feature live music from local band Cow Says Moo at 5 p.m., guitar player Moe Dixon at 6 p.m., and California surf-rock-reggae band Safety Orange from 7:30-9 p.m.

Atkinsons' Markets, the Cellar Pub, Desperado's, Lizzy's Fresh Coffee, Rickshaw, the Sawtooth Club, the Sun Valley Wine Co., Toni's Ice Cream and Whiskey Jacques will serve tasty treats. There will also be a "Sochi vodka tent" that should add some bounce to the party.

Other activities will include a crowd-pleasing icy dunk tank. Confirmed "dunkees" include Elephant's Perch owner Bob Rosso, Elephant's Perch salesman Nappy Neaman, local DJ Lenny Joseph, Ski Education Foundation Executive Director Don Wiseman, Sun Valley Marketing Alliance Public Relations Director Greg Randolph, Gold Team Cross Country Coach Colin Rodgers and Ski Education Foundation Cross Country Program Director Rick Kapala.

"Last year, Kapala put 20 extra bags of ice in the dunk tank," Ski Education Foundation Development Director Alex Sundali said in an interview. "His punishment is to go last this year, once the sun has gone down and it's nice and chilly out."

The Ski Education Foundation's Gold Team members include alpine skiers Tanner Farrow and Kipling Weisel; cross-country skiers Simi Hamilton, Mikey Sinnott, Matt Gelso, Reid Pletcher, Patrick Johnson, Chelsea Holmes, Alexa Turzian, Lucy Le Garrec and Mali Noyes; freestyle skiers Tai Barrymore and Shane Cordeau; and snowboarders Kaitlyn Farrington and Chase Josey.

The Ski Education Foundation considers sending six athletes to Sochi a "lofty yet realistic goal" given the current Gold Team lineup, according to a recent foundation news release.

During the event, Fourth Street will be closed between East and Leadville avenues to provide overflow space for the expected crowd.

"Last year's event was very fun," Sundali said. "We're predicting this year's will be even better."

Admission to the event is free, though donations are welcome. A donation of $10 will buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a Sun Valley Co. season ski pass, Blaine County Recreation District cross-country trail pass or Scott Sportster P3 bike.

For more information on the Gold Team's athletes or to make a donation to the Gold Team Fund, visit www.svsef.org or contact Sundali at alex@svsef.org.

Brennan Rego: brego@mtexpress.com

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