There’s a renewed excitement level for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Snowboard Team this winter, in large part because of a major snowboarding event coming to Sun Valley in March.
In its ninth season, the U.S. Revolution Tour will wrap up its three-stop tour season March 17-22 at Sun Valley Resort. It’s the first stop ever for the Rev Tour at Sun Valley.
The tour consists of halfpipe, slopestyle and cross, for both freeskiing and snowboarding. It has become a stepping stone for athletes making the transition from competing at the grass roots level and moving to the Elite level.
According to U.S. Snowboarding, the series pre-qualifies a portion of its field and then opens registration to any athlete.
In general, the Revolution Tour is focused toward riders ages 13-19 (cross athletes 15-19) competing as an Open class. Top juniors will be invited to be part of the U.S. Grand Prix, Junior Worlds, USASA nationals and the U.S. Open.
SVSEF Snowboard Team program director Andy Gilbert said about the Rev Tour, “I really hope the town comes out to not only support the local athletes but also Sun Valley Company’s efforts to bring these events here.”
The tour begins Jan. 13-18 at Northstar, Ca. Second event is Feb. 1-7 at Seven Springs, Pa. The Sun Valley stop is March 17-22. Registration fee is $100 including competition day lift tickets. Discounts are offered on lift tickets for training days.
Visit ussnowboarding.com/events/revolution-tour to sign up.
Gilbert has welcomed a team of 24 riders for 2012-13 plus a veteran staff. “The Sun Valley Snowboard Team has one of the most knowledgeable staffs in the country and we are lucky to have them all here,” said Gilbert.
He added, “We are very excited about this season—so much is changing for the better here at home. Specifically, the new 22-foot halfpipe which is going to allow our riders to train in an Olympic quality venue everyday.
“We had seven new riders sign up for our Development Team and that allowed us to hire two great new coaches—JaNessa Gilbert and Jim Slanetz. We also had six new riders sign up for our weekend Prep program. Our Prep Team looks very strong with a very dedicated group of riders returning. I think any of them could be contenders at the regional level.
“I think we’re in a bit of an uptick in interest in the Snowboard Team and these numbers speak to that.”
Two returning Competition Team racers are Ryan Roemer and Chase Josey. They are joined on Comp Team by one Sun Valley Ski Academy boarding athlete from Boise, Connor Smith.
Gilbert said, “Obviously we’re excited for the season that Ryan Roemer and Chase Josey have in front of them. Last season Ryan won his age class at the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom as well as becoming USASA overall national champion. And Chase was the top American at the FIS Junior World Championships in Spain.
“The fact that the Rev Tour Final is here in Sun Valley is huge for both these guys! They’re going to put on quite a show for the hometown crowd as will all the riders. Ryan and Chase will compete at the World Cup level for the first time and both are contenders to win Revolution Tour events.”
SVSEF 2012-13 Snowboard Team Roster
Program Director, Head Coach—Andy Gilbert (19th year).
Head Prep/Entry Prep Team coach—Jacob Tyler.
Coaches, staff—Josh Keefer (Comp Team); Jacob Tyler, Heather Black, Edward Sawitz and Jon French (Prep/Entry Prep teams); JaNessa Gilbert and Jim Slanetz (Devo Team).
Gold Team (2)—Kaitlyn Farrington and Chase Josey.
Competition team (3)—Chase Josey, Ryan Roemer and Connor Smith (tuition $3,000).
Prep Team (6)—Payton Bacca, Amelia Cookston, Phebe Ericksen, Clara Jenner, Cora Schneider and Elk Spencer (tuition $2,300).
Entry Prep Team (6)—Jake Evans, Tyler Fiskin, Gavin Hunter, Jenna Nurge, David Rau and Hunter Schiermeier (tuition $1,200).
Devo Team (7)—Zoe Bacca, Channing Curci, Angus Gilbert, Tagne Higgins, Cole Peterson, Sascha Sullivan and Jack Verhaeghe (tuition $800).
SVSEF Snowboard Team 2013 race schedule
January 7-12............................................. Sprint Grand Prix/World Cup.................................... Copper Mtn., Colo.
January 14-18........................................... 2013 USSA Revolution Tour................................. Northstar/Tahoe, Ca.
January 15-18......................................... USSA Hole Shot Boardercross.................................. Copper Mtn., Colo.
January 18-27................................. FIS World Snowboarding Championships........... Stoneham, Quebec, Canada
January 24 Intermountain Snowboard Series SBX, GS/SL Sun Valley
January 25 Intermountain Snowboard Series SBX Sun Valley
January 26 Intermountain Snowboard Series slopestyle Sun Valley
January 27 Intermountain Snowboard Series halfpipe Sun Valley
February 1-2............................................. Sprint Grand Prix/World Cup.......................................... Park City, Utah
February 1-7.............................................. 2013 USSA Revolution Tour.................................... Seven Springs, Pa.
February 9................................... Intermountain Snowboard Series SS/Rail Jam. Jackson Hole (Wyo.) Mt. Resort
February 10........................................ Intermountain Snowboard Series HP........ Jackson Hole (Wyo.) Mt. Resort
February 25-28.............................. Sprint Grand Prix/World Cup Boardercross............................... Canyons, Utah
February 27-March 3....................................... King of the Wasatch...................................... Park City Mtn. Resort
March 17-22............................................ 2013 USSA Revolution Tour.................................. Sun Valley Resort
March 22-24............................................ USSA Hole Shot Boardercross........................ Mt. Hood Meadows, Ore.
April 1-7.................................................. USASA National Championships................................. Copper Mtn., Colo.
NOTES: Many events are sanctioned by the United States of America Snowboard Association (USASA). Others are sanctioned by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA)…..The Revolution Tour stop at Sun Valley March 17-22 includes training on Sunday and Monday, March 17-18; ski halfpipe Tuesday, March 19; ski slopestyle Wednesday, March 20; snowboard halfpipe Thursday, March 21; and snowboard slopestyle Friday, March 22…..King of the Wasatch Feb. 27-March 3 at Park City features alpine GS and SL Wednesday, Feb. 27; halfpipe Thursday, Feb. 28; slopestyle March 1-2; Rail Jam following slopestyle Saturday, March 2; and halfpipe Sunday, March 3.
