Hello Eastern Freestyle!

HANNAH KEARNEY WON THE GOLD MEDAL!!!!!!!! (Just in case you did not know - lol!)

It was so exciting to be there and to watch all of the athletes that we have watched grow up over the years attain their dream of competing at the Olympics...and then to watch Nick Preston and his reaction to Hannah's final run - the man did not move from his spot between qualifiers and finals run - just stood on those bleachers with his "Go Hannah!" signage - so awesome!!!

The Olympics were a little like going to Disney World, but an absolutely fabulous experience - inspirational and quite motivating.

This Weekend in Eastern Freestyle...

ECS Stratton Mogul Fest, Stratton - m/dm. Come and warm up the Eastern Division course this weekend! Course Reports in from Dillon Lovell say that it is AWESOME!!! Best course ever at Stratton! They are offering training tomorrow. Training tickets are available at the ticket window by showing your USSA card. (Tony didn't say how much!) Please be patient and courteous with lift attendants at Stratton. Results from this weekend WILL BE included in the points list that will generate divisional invites.

EQS Central Region - Killington B Klassic, Killington - m/ss. We will have training on Friday from 10 to 3. Tickets are available for $40 (Cash only) at the Killington Ski Club. The mogul event will be on Lower Vertigo which can be accessed off the Superstar chair. The slopestyle event will be on Timberline over in the Ramshead area on Sunday. Registration on Saturday and Sunday will be at the K-1 Base lodge.

EQS Eastern Region - Whaleback Whalejam, Whaleback - ss-a/m. The Whaleback crew will be training from 10 to 5 for moguls, 10 to 5 for slopestyle, and aerials from 1 to 5. Training tickets are 15 buckaroos. Jam on!! There is also a grand prize for the top boys and girls combined winners - a pair of Volkl skis! Thanks to Volkl and Marker!

Olympic Update: More Olympic Freestyle action again this weekend and next week with Women's Aerials Qualification on the 20th, Women's Ski Cross on the 21st, Men's Aerials Qualification on the 22nd, Men's Ski Cross on the 23rd, Women's Aerial Finals on the 24th and Men's Aerial Finals on the 25th.  

GO GO GO!! Emily Cook of CVA and Matt Depeters of Buffalo Ski Club!!

Championship Season is around the corner! Know when to watch for invitations and how to register!!

I did notice that some athletes have yet to declare their regional affiliation - coaches take notice: These athletes will NOT be invited to their EQS Regional Finals without a declaration of region. SECOND REMINDER!!

INVITATIONS OUT THIS MONDAY - FEBRUARY 22nd:

1. Regional Finals
   
2. ECS A Championship mogul/dual moguls (half pipe and slopestyle are open events!)
   
3. Junior Olympics
   

All event registration can be found right here on Eastern Freestyle! Please be patient - we will get it out there ASAP. Remember - check out the rules for registration - you gotta register in order to accept your invitation!!

Have a great weekend of competition!

Go big!

Coach Deb

PS - Please find letter from Squaw Valley Freestyle in California below. They are getting ready to host US Championships and are seeking volunteers.

PPS - Marnie Hock should also have a full report of discount lodging options for us at Squaw next week as well. Stay tuned!

To all Olympic Valley Freestyle Team Supporters,
We are once again hosting the US Freestyle Championships (USSA Nationals) March 25-28.
Athletes will begin arriving on Wednesday, March 24. All USSA members that meet the
qualifications from the points list AND the US National Freestyle Team members are invited to
attend. The event will be a huge energizer as some of the participating athletes will have just
competed in the 2010 Olympics!
As was the case last year, this event will be a huge boost in continuing to build upon the success
of the Squaw Valley Freestyle Team. This event will be a great opportunity to new athletes and to
show the quality of events the Far West Division can execute. It’s all about show casing our
amazing training and competition sites which are some of the best in the country. We will show
how amazing Squaw Valley is in all aspects through this high profile and well organized event
for the nation to see right after the Olympics. This event will be televised nationally and our team
and resort will be front and center for all to see. We have immense support from around the
country with so many people who are excited to see Nationals return to Squaw.
I am contacting you at this time and asking you for your support. We are looking to build the
volunteer team needed to successfully host this high profile, high quality event at Squaw Valley.
The Nationals event does take a lot of work and organization. We are bringing back the same
event organizer that we had last year for Nationals and will build upon his foundation.
WE NEED YOUR HELP volunteering in one of the many positions from organizing, course
work, registration, tickets, merchandise, banquets, security and other small duties here and there.
If you helped last year and would like to remain in the same role, please be sure to let me know.
If you haven’t helped in the past, please respond with the area that sounds most enjoyable to you.
If you are flexible for anything, that is terrific! Please contact Jennifer Landau by e-mail at
jhlandau@earthlink.net as to which days and tasks work best for you and how many hours you
feel you can contribute. We have a pass program for all volunteers. This is a full team effort that
will benefit everyone on the team in one way or another. You will find it both exciting and
rewarding to be a part of such a high level event.
Thank you,
Nat Schirman
OVFFT Director
nat@ovfreestyle.com