As a group, we decided that the unused registrations for the Kilington Spring Klassic should go towards Deb's vacation fund. Cool with you guys?

JK - HF Tech is issuing credits to your credit cards this weekend.

Again, enjoy your weekend!

More info to follow on the EFCC Annual Spring Meeting on May 1st and 2nd at Killington!

Here is the Killington Spring Klassic Update:

We built the course on Conclusion last week. It melted this weekend, though we did have some pretty good training days on it before the crevices and the rocks came through on the head wall!

So, Plan B is to look at Superstar for the A meet. We have the go ahead from the mountain, but we will have to wait and see if any weather comes through on Tuesday and Wednesday that destroys the rest of the mountain leaving ONLY Superstar for the general public. If this is the case, then the likelihood of them giving it us is not very good.

We have 2010 Olympians Michael Morse and Hannah Kearney, the gold medalist, ready to ski a dual to forerun the event, so we are certainly going to do our best to make it happen!

Stay tuned on the home page on Wednesday at 3pm. This is when Coach Gnoza claims he will get the final word.

Hannah is throwing out the first pitch at Fenway on Tuesday night - maybe they will show it.

Who won last night? (Bryan? Lars? Tully? Do you know?)

Hope to see everyone this weekend and to welcome all of our new A skiers!!!

Hello Eastern Freestyle!

Just a few notes:

• Larry Rowe and other parents and programs have provided several more links to photos that they have taken this winter. Please find them here.
• The ECS bibs are recycled every year. Please save yours in a safe spot. New A skiers that compete at the Killington Spring Klassic on April 9 to 11 will be assigned their bibs on site.
  
• Anyone want to run a spring ECS freeride event??
  
• Chris Marks, Head Coach at Okemo Mountain School, has a request to the community to help one of his athletes that is trying to win a film/ski competition. Unfortunately, the competition is sponsored by a beer company which obviously we do not promote in freestyle, but if you feel comfortable allowing your child to watch the video on youtube in order to support Dale Talkington, then please do so. The more viewers he receives the better his chances to win $10,000. The video is phenomenal!! Here is the link: click here.
  

JUNIOR OLYMPICS, WATERVILLE VALLEY, NH (Halfpipe, Slopestyle, Moguls, Aerials, Dual Moguls), March 9 to 14:

The Opening Ceremony kicks off tonight in the Town Square at 7pm.

Good luck to all of our Eastern competitors - LET'S KICK BUTT!

EQS Eastern Region Spring Event, Whaleback Shoot-Out (moguls), March 13th:

Giddy Up!

Okay, Eastern program directors, coaches and athletes: Whaleback needs you!
 
We have the course, the snow, and the commitment to get it done with points for next season for all your young shredders. Whaleback is a great venue for parents to watch their kids. So rassle up them young buckaroos, rope them if you have to, and herd them over to Whaleback for the Spring ShootOut this Saturday, YeeeHaaaa!!!! (You were supposed to read that last sentence with a western drawl.)
 
Hope to see you all this weekend. Peace. ~Evan

PS Coaches session on the course after the event. Word on the street is that the Legend, Alex Wilson, is doing a little east coast nostalgia tour and is dropping in for our event, and he already challenged me to a dual. (Alex and Evan graduated from KMS together, made the US Team together and have a long standing rivalry!)

EQS Western Regional Finals, Whiteface, NY (ss/a, moguls):

The Western Region will host their Regional Finals. Check out their event info on the Events page.

EQS Championships, Holiday Valley, NY (slopestyle, moguls, aerials):

Next weekend is the big weekend of the year for our EQS skiers. Please check out the event sheet that is posted online. There is a ton of VERY SPECIFIC information in there in respect to registration locations, training times and how alternates will be dealt with.

Invitations for this event will be out on Monday, March 15th. Please respond in a timely manner so we can move down the alternate list as QUICKLY as possible!! This needs to be a team effort - if you see a team member that has not responded right away thencall, text or book them! We could get the whole invite list done in one night if everyone registers for or declines their invite immediately.

Enjoy the spring skiing this weekend!

~Coach Deb

Hello Eastern Freestyle!

Few things to note:

• If you were a registered athlete for the Sugarbush Slide event that was canceled - you should have received a refund coupon of $15 in your email this week. If you are not able to use it by the end of the season, then we will issue you a refund check in April.
• The Eastern Region's spring event's, The Whaleback Shoot Out, registration is up and running! This event is one day only - SATURDAY. The results for this event will count towards the 2010-2011 competition season. Registration for out of region athletes will open on March 8th.
• EQS Championship invites will come out after the Western Region hosts their event. Look for them on Monday, March 16th.

Here is the update for this weekend (all event forms are posted on the event page):

EQS Central Regional Finals, Killington, VT (ss/a, moguls):

Killington Ski Club, Killington Mountain School and Killington Resort are excited to host this event again for our Central Region skiers. We will host the athlete pizza and awards ceremony at KMS on Saturday afternoon following the events that day. All are welcome!

EQS Eastern Regional Finals, Whaleback, NH (ss/a, moguls):

Goin' back to the Whale! Make sure you read the event info on the Events page. They are offering training on Friday and Saturday - but only during certain times. They are hosting an Athlete Pizza Party on Saturday afternoon.

Nor Am Finals, Steamboat, CO:

Some of our Eastern skiers are out here in Steamboat, CO finishing up the Nor Am Tour. They compete moguls on Thursday and duals on Friday to wrap up their Nor Am season.

EQS Western Regional Finals, Whiteface, NY (ss/a, moguls ~ NEXT WEEKEND):

Next weekend the Western Region will host their Regional Finals. Check out their event info on the Events page.

Junior Olympics, Waterville, NH (NEXT WEEK):

Looking forward to EASTERN FREESTYLE representing at JO's next week. Be sure to check out the JO web site for event info and athlete activities! Will the defending champions of the JO Dodge Ball Tournament, Stratton Mountain Freestyle, repeat?

Good luck to all!

Go Big!

~Coach Deb

Congratulations!!

Please find links to Registration and Invitation information below.

Junior Olympics

ECS A Divisional Championships

EQS Regional Finals (East region Male Slopestyle corrected 2/27- 4 Athletes added)

EQS B Championships (now active - EQS WILD CARD Athletes listed at top of invitation page) The first round of invites will expire at 11pm on Tuesday, March 16th. Please RSPV to invitations@easternfreestyle.org if you are not coming!! Just register if you are.

US Championships - Registration link is here.

ECS WILD CARD Athletes to US Championships (Depending on national's alternates' status - the wild cards could change as invites are accepted/declined. For men's moguls - the WC is fixed as this athlete is planning to attend and is not an alternate.)

Aerials - No female WC, Tyler Mega [WC 2 option - Zach Pham]
Half Pipe -  No female WC, Jeremie Veilleux [WC 2 option - Cole Derrick]
Moguls - Alex Jensen (alt 2) [WC2 option - Sarah Goldman (alt 5), WC3 option - Jackie O'Sullivan (alt 4), WC4 option - Arielle Gordon-Rowe], Darius Baradaran
Duals - From FSP (all top 8 at Eastern duals qualified so we go to FSP) Allison Benedict (alt 2) - WC2 option - Grace Baldwin (alt 5), WC3 - Margot Barclay), Scott Nelson (alt 5 - POTENTIAL CHANGE COMING FROM USSA) (WC2 option - Tucker Warman (alt), WC3 option - Sam Greshin)

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

Hello!

Packing my bags - heading to Vancouver to watch Hannah and Michael this weekend! Wahoo!!!

There is a ton to tell you this week, so I am going to use the bulleted format.

Updates to the web site this week:

• Added a Parent's page. Thanks to Thach Pham for creating a Parent FAQ. There is MUCH more to add - feel free to send him questions for the document or better yet, questions and answers!! lol!
• Updated the Jump Qualification pages.
• Added a Coaches Certification Process link.
• Still no pictures yet - maybe while I am on the road for the next month!

EQS SKIERS:

• All EQS skiers, athletes and parents - check your regional affiliation on your athlete "history" - see EQS Ranking Link. You can change it - there is a button that reads "Current Region: Central Region (VT) To change region selection click here" THIS IS CRUCIAL! Check your friends, too! Send them a note if theirs is incorrect. Incorrect regional designations WILL NOT be an excuse if your invite is incorrect.
• EQS Regional Final Invitations will come out on February 22nd at 6pm.
• EQS Championship Invitations will come out on March 15th at 6pm.
• Read the rulebook about the quotas and invite process for these events. Make sure EVERYONE understands how it works - make a copy of it and carry it with you! Share your knowledge. That's what we do in the B's - educate!
• The Whaleback Shoot Out on March 13-14 will count towards the 2010-2011 season.
• Sugarbush canceled event - Because the Eastern Office has not heard differently, we are assuming that Sugarbush is following the refund rules stated in the Eastern section of the rulebook and not providing any refund for their canceled event. Please direct ALL COMMUNICATION to Sugarbush. This is out of our control and out of HF Tech's control. It is a rule for a reason though. Event budgets are tight. We keep the mountains in the East on a shoestring budget in comparison to other divisions. Please respect the system. The best way to voice your opinions is to send an email to the Chair that voices your concerns and provides suggestions of how we can improve! Complaints and demands are filed appropriately.
• Reminder: All athletes, coaches and families are reminded to clean up after themselves in the base lodges. Take a minute to pick up your trash and push in your chairs!

ECS SKIERS:

• List #3 List closes on Monday. Invites for Junior Olympics will come out on February 22nd. Be sure that you understand the quota, alternate and registration process.
• The Stratton Mogul Fest will count towards ECS Champs and US Championships.
• The invites for ECS Champs (moguls and duals) will also come out on February 22nd. (Larry - we are gonna be busy on that Sunday night!! lol!!)
• Halfpipe, Aerials and Slopestyle are open events for divisional championships - no invite necessary.
• The invites for US Championships come out after List #4.
• In order to remain on List #4, athletes must compete in their divisional championships. Having said that, Nor Am Finals are during Eastern Champs. Please send an email to me if you will not be attending championships and your reasons for not being able to attend by February 20th.
• Reminder: All athletes, coaches and families are reminded to clean up after themselves in the base lodges. Take a minute to pick up your trash and push in your chairs!

EVENTS THIS WEEK:

Open: Kagan Cup Freeride Tour SS-HP OR SS-SS, Feb 11
There should be an update tonight at midnight about whether the half pipe event will happen. Check back! LOL!! I will be up - leaving for airport at 2:30am. See event info sheet.

ECS A: Kagan Cup Moguls/Duals, Feb 12/13
They are skiing in the mogul course and building the jumps today - hoping to see everyone for training on Thursday! See event info sheet.

Open: J'APRIL CUP / PHIL'S HILL EASTERN AERIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, Feb 14
Waterville is all set to host this year's Eastern Aerial Championships!

REGISTRATION: Online registration will close on Thursday at Midnight.
OFFICIAL TRAINING: Training will be held on the Phil's Hill Air site on Saturday, February 13, 11am - 2pm. Coaches or parents who are bringing athletes to train are encourage to help us chop the air site. We will meet in front of the BBTS Comp Center at 9am on Saturday morning. Training tickets will be available from 8:30am - 12:30pm in the BBTS Comp Center for $35. Cash or check only!
COMPETITION DAY:  Training will begin at 9am on Sunday, followed by the start of the first competition at 10:30am. Athletes should check in at registration in the BBTS competition center between 7:30 - 8:30am. We encourage you to register online, as you will be charged a $15 late fee for day-of registration. WVBBTS only accepts cash or check. Again, coaches are encourage to head to the air site at 8am to help chop the landing. Waterville Valley does not offer parent tickets; however, discount tickets can be purchased online for $55. The Phil's Hill air site is also a mild hike from the base of the mountain for spectators who choose to not ski. 
AWARDS: Awards will take place in the BBTS Clubhouse 1/2 hour after the competition ends. J'April Cup is part of the Salomon Freeride Tour! We have some great prizes for our athletes!

EQS Eastern Region: Griffin Cup, SS-A/M, Feb 13/14
Loon is anticipating one of their best year's of competitions yet with great snow conditions and more on the way! See event info sheet.

EQS Western Region: Flite Cup, M, Feb 13
See event info sheet.

EQS Western Region: Buffalo Aerial Assault, A-A, Feb 14
See event info sheet.

GO TEAM USA!!!

Women's moguls on Saturday, Men's moguls on Sunday

I will miss everyone at ECS Champs banquet!! Hope to catch up with you one more time at EQS Champs! or at JO's! or at US Champs!! or at the Killington Spring Klassic!

Have a great rest of the season.

Train Hard! Go Big! Be safe and have fun!

Peace out!
Coach Deb

Please hold off on emails until Monday, February 15th if you can!!

Nor Am Athletes at Killington, VT and Mt Gabriel, QUE:

Good luck to our Eastern mogul and half pipe athletes competing at the international event, URTUR's Killington Nor Am in Killington, Vermont this weekend. The event will be livestreamed on www.urtur.com/live. Also, good luck to our Eastern aerial athletes competing at the Mt Gabriel Nor Am event in Canada.

DEW TOUR:

Don't forget the Dew Tour is at Mt Snow this weekend. Here is a link for information if you want to go and check it out!!

ECS, Freeride Teams - Waterville Open, Waterville Valley, NH - slopestyle/halfpipe.

The third stop on the Eastern Freestyle Salomon Freeride Tour is this weekend at Waterville Valley. Check in is at the WVBBTS Competition Center.

EQS, Western Region - Holiday Valley, NY - Feb 6-7 - m/ss-ss.

A great warm-up event to this year's host of EQS Championships.

We are psyched here at Holiday Valley for our FREESTYLE EXTRAVAGANZA!!

Course builder extraordinair Richie Morgan, fresh from his World Cup course work at Lake Placid, has built us a fantastic THREE LINE 175-meter mogul course on the Chute. Besides our fresh snow that we have gotten every day this week our snow making crew have blown snow to Richie’s specifications to ensure great conditions and nice soft landings!

Slopestyle will be held on Sunday on Snoozer this year. It is a great venue and easily accessible to spectators by a short walk from the Main Chalet. The course has been custom made just for our meet. Besides the two awesome jumps, there will be “features” that will please both the little kids and the big ones too.

Get psyched…Come Join Us…Get a taste of the site of B Champs !!!

Because everyone knows how we enjoy our ‘B’ Freestyle Meets here at Holiday Valley !!!

EQS, Eastern Region - Sunapee, NH - Feb 6-7 - m/m.

Assuming the 2nd Annual Banana Eating Contest will again take place - hopefully, they decide to do it on Sunday!! (hint. hint.)

Have a great weekend!! Remember - next weekend's A event is at Sugarloaf on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and is the last event before the Points List closes that generates the invitations for Junior Olympics at Waterville Valley, NH in 2010!!!

GO BIG!

Coach Deb

This is ALMOST a "Last Week in Freestyle" report - Sorry!

ECS, A Mogul Teams - Killington Klassic - Jan 30-31 - moguls/duals.

We are FINALLY back over at Bear Mtn!!! Training tickets are available on the third floor of Bear Mtn Lodge. Training will start at noon on Friday - unless there is an influx of help from the community. Mother Nature set back the build schedule and from what I understand they got a huge head start on it today - but will need the extra time in the morning to finish up.

ECS, Freeride Teams - Barker Basin Battle, Sunday River - Jan 30-31 - slopestyle/halfpipe.

The second stop on the Eastern Freestyle Salomon Freeride Tour is this weekend at Sunday River. Check in on Friday is at the competition center and on competition days will be on the third floor of Barker Lodge.

EQS, Western Region - Rip's Monster Mogul Mash, Hunter Mountain - Jan 30-31 - m/m.

Huntah always puts on a great B event. As of 10pm on Thursday there are still a few spots left!!

EQS, Eastern Region - Sugarloaf, USA - Jan 30-31 - m/double slopestyle.

Sugarloaf has PLENTY of room for more competitors!! Head on up!

Good luck to our Eastern Freestyle teams competing at the Lake Placid Nor Am Friday and Saturday. The event will be livestreamed on www.urtur.com/live.

Congrats to our former Eastern teammates that were named to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver this week! Go East Coast!

Ashley Caldwell - Waterville

Dylan Ferguson - Waterville

Emily Cook - CVA

Hannah Kearney - Waterville

Matt Depeters - Buffalo Ski Club

Michael Morse - Killington Mountain School

GO BIG!

Coach Deb

To those of you that take the time to read my "blah blah blah" - I really do appreciate it. I need your help to get the rest of the community on board.

#1: JOIN EASTERN FREESTYLE EMAIL LIST. PLEASE help me and share this resource with your fellow parents, coaches and officials TODAY, so we can continue to build an educated community that raises the next Olympians!! Just tell them to: GO TO THE SITE AND CLICK ON EMAIL NEWS AT THE TOP. Boom. Done. Thanks!

#2: DO NOT CONTACT USSA. The ONLY reason a member of the Eastern Freestyle community should have to contact USSA is to register, renew or upgrade a membership. We are one of the only divisions to have a USSA employee in our office. If they continue to receive emails and calls from our community, then we may lose this position. THIS WOULD BE BAD!! From this point forward, please refer all questions to the Eastern Office: Sherry Albert at: office@easternfreestyle.org. Having said that, Chances are MOST of your questions can be answered right here on the Eastern website. Please take a moment to hit all the "trails" on the Trail Map - you might find a few that improve your skills!! Ultimately, Eastern Program Directors and Head Coaches should really be your first point of reference as the professionals. Most of the time, if one parent has a question or concern, then it is relevant to their entire team or the entire community - let the program directors/head coaches get the answers for you so they can turnaround and communicate the answers to the whole team. If your Program Director/Head Coach cannot answer the question, let them contact their fellow colleagues to get the answer for you.

#3: How to be a Winning Parent...this document is a favorite of mine. Let your kids own their sport - be a supporter, a fan and the bill payer!! We can't thank you enough for all that you do to support our athletes - but, please, just do that. No need to solve the world's problems at the bottom of the course/venue. Nothing will ever be perfect in freestyle or the world - except your child!!

1. Your child should never be taught to view his or her opponent as the “Bad Guy”.

2. Encourage your child to compete against himself/herself.  The ultimate goal of the sport is to challenge oneself and continually improve.  Winning in sports is about doing the best that you can, regardless of the outcome or the results of your opponent.

3. Do not define success and failure in terms of winning and losing.  If a child competes his/her very best and doesn’t achieve their goals, you need to help them feel like a winner. 

4. Be supportive.  Do not coach.  Coaching interferes with your role as a parent and supporter of the team.  Be your child’s best fan - provide support, encouragement, empathy, transportation & money - but leave the coaching and instruction to the coach.

5. The more fun an athlete is having the more he/she will learn and the better they will perform.  If your child is not having fun – investigate!  What is keeping them from having fun?  Is it the coaching, is it pressure or is it you?

6. Whose goal is it?  Is your child competing because they don’t want to disappoint you, because they know how important the sport is to you and are these goals and aspirations theirs or yours?  It is quite normal and healthy to want your child to excel and be as successful as possible, but you cannot make this happen by pressuring them with your expectations or by using guilt or bribery to keep them involved.  If they have their own goals and reasons for participating, they will be far more motivated to excel and therefore far more successful.

7. Remember the importance of high self-esteem in all your interactions with your child-athlete.  Athletes of all levels and ages perform in direct relationship to how they feel about themselves.  Make your child feel good about himself/herself and you’ve given him/her a gift that lasts a lifetime. 

8. Give your child the gift of failure.  The most successful people both in and out of sports do two things differently.  First, they are willing to take risks and therefore fail more frequently.  Second they use their failures in a positive way as a source of motivation and feedback to improve.  Failure is a perfect stepping-stone to success. 

9. Stress the process, (skill acquisition, mastery and fun), not the outcome.  In any peak performance, the athlete is totally oblivious to the outcome and is absorbed in the here and now of their actual performance.  An outcome focus will almost always distract and tighten up the athlete insuring bad performance.  If you truly want your child to succeed, help get his/her focus away from how important the contest is and have them focus on the task at hand.  Supportive parents de-emphasize winning and instead stress learning the skills and participating.

10. Avoid comparisons and respect developmental differences.  Comparisons are inaccurate and destructive since every child matures and develops differently.

11. Teach your child to have perspective on the sports experience.  The sports media would like you to believe that sport and winning and losing is larger than life.  This lack of perspective frequently trickles down to the youth sport level and young athletes often come away from competition with a distorted view of themselves and how they performed.  Parents need to help their child develop realistic expectations of themselves, their abilities and how they played without robbing the child of his/her dreams.

THIS WEEK IN EASTERN FREESTYLE - Jan 22nd - 24th.

No one has sent me any fun teasers for their event yet so we are just stuck with the event info sheets on the Events page.

EQS Central B's

Stevek Mogul Challenge at Stratton Mountain, Vermont. Moguls on Saturday and Sunday. 

Carinthia Cup at Mt Snow, Vermont. Slopestyle and Aerials on Saturday. 

EQS Western B's

Seven Springs Mogul Smackdown, Seven Springs, PA. Moguls on Saturday and Sunday. 

ECS A Mogul Teams

Rosemary Bowl, Waterville Valley, NH. The Aerial events were postponed until February 14th! The Eastern Division Jump qualification on Friday. Click here for more information. Mogul training on Friday does not open until 11am. Saturday Moguls. Sunday Duals.

Athletes At the Peak

Starting Thursday our former teammates will be competing in Lake Placid, New York at the last stop on the FIS World Cup Tour before the 2010 Vancouver Games. Come on over and cheer the crew on as they compete to gain spots onto the USA Freestyle 2010 Olympic Team!! For more information, check out the event info site.

Have a great weekend!

Go Big!

Coach Deb