KSC/KMS and KMS SNOWBOARD TEAM

Skicross Team at USASA Bromley

2012-02-11T10:14:00.001-05:00

Bromley training

2012-02-10T16:07:00.001-05:00

We train and then meet a Fisher cat.

2012-02-06T11:13:00.001-05:00

Boost Program Interview with Shane Smith

Gatorade Free Flow

2012-01-31T13:27:00.001-05:00

KMS swept the Grom and Women's Gatorade Free Flow halfpipe.

Women's Halfpipe results:

Maggie Leon 1st
Abby Lancour 2nd
Sophi Anderson 3rd

Grom Halfpipe Results:

George McKeever 1st
Ryan Sihler 2nd
Joey Leon3rd

Gatorade Free Flow

2012-01-31T13:17:00.001-05:00

Our weekenders swept the junior jam
Junior Jam railjam results:

Joey Leon 1st
George McKeever 2nd
Jake Fournier 3rd

Gatorade Free Flow

2012-01-31T13:08:00.001-05:00

Killington hosted Gatorade Free Flow this past Sunday for a junior jam railjam and a halfpipe. The halfpipe was in great condition and the weather was great. The junior jam had a great setup as well. Here's a shot of both the halfpipe and railjam at sunrise.

Gatorade Free Flow

2012-01-31T13:01:00.001-05:00

We had a great day of competition at Okemo. The slope style course was tight but the girls made the best of it. Maggie Leon was the youngest female competitor and still found her way into third place. Sophi Anderson had a great first run. She cleaned the entire rail section, executed a nice double method on the first jump, and landed a frontside five forty to cap off her run.

Gatorade Free Flow

2012-01-31T12:52:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday we had a Slopestyle at Okemo. Here are some photo's of the course.

USASA Southern Vermont Series: Bromley SX/SBX

2012-01-30T14:59:00.003-05:00

After a challenging weather week, the KMS Snowboard Team performed well under variable conditions this past weekend at Bromley, VT. Snow followed by rain followed by a huge drop in temperature on Friday led to...solid conditions on Saturday morning. So solid that the start of the skicross and boardercross races were delayed almost 2 hours. When the race finally began though, KMS sophmore Logan Farmer logged the third fastest time of the day in trials, joined by Jesse Kunkowski of Mendon, VT who was second fastest in his age group. Once heats began though, the sun came out and the course slowed down a bit, giving spectators excellent racing to behold. Will Steller, 15 of Killington VT was neck and neck with 2 other racers going into turn 2 and was edged out of the course. Ethan Farmer, 10 of Randolph VT had a rough pull out of the start gate and also ended up missing the finals. After winning 2 heats to advance to finals, Jesse Kunkowski ended up slipping in turn one and taking a crash. After falling in time trails, KMS Class of '16 Nikki Sardelli won her semi-finals heat and got the hole shot again in finals, winning the race for the Breaker Girls! Logan Farmer, KMS CLass of '14 also advanced through heats to finals and raced to victory in his age group Youth Boys. Rounding out the day was KMS Skicross Racer Mazie Hayden, 11 of Pittsfield VT. Mazie was the only girl in her age group and raced against a fellow Killnigton skier for finals...HE was 18 years old and barely beat her. Go Mazie!

KMS '16 Nikki Sardelli out in front during BX finals

Sunday's schedule began on time, under partly sunny skies and colder conditions. Race 2 saw the appearance of Chris Oko, 8 of Milford, CT, and Tin Skoric, 8 of Rutland, VT. Also new to the fray was Alex Sheppard, 15 of Woodstock, VT. Heats were again highly competitive! This day saw start technique proving to be the difference. Both Will and Alex were edged out in heats after good time trials runs. Jesse Kunkowski went down in his first heat as well as Chris Oko. Ethan Farmer had great starts and fought through 2 heats to finals were he earned a fourth place. Tin Skoric took advantage of a collision by the race leaders in his heat to advance to finals in his age group as well and grab fourth place.

The day was won again by veterans Mazie Hayden who was pitted against two 15 year old girls and won her finals heat! Mazie also pulled down second place overall regardless of age group. After another fall in time trials, Nikki Sardelli battled back to win Breaker Girls finals and take the gold again! Nikki is now undefeated in SVS races with 6 starts and six gold medals. Logan Farmer raced to 1st in his age group again, as well as third overall regardless of age group.

Logan Farmer (KMS '14) races to first place Youth Boys and third overall

Ethan Farmer in time trials

Nikki Sardelli (KMS '16) naps while waiting for her heat. Ethan Farmer look on as does Chris Oko.

Shane Smith BOOST rider

2012-01-30T10:52:00.001-05:00

Logan and Will ready for time trials.

2012-01-28T11:09:00.001-05:00

Weekend Plan

2012-01-26T06:54:00.001-05:00

Good Morning All,

We're looking at a very busy weekend for the snowboard teams, after a very busy weekend! For those of you not following the blog, facebook or twitter of the team, here's what you missed:

Congrats Team!

Redbull Buttercup at Darkside Fri 1/20

Maggie Leon- 1st Women

Robbie Ettori- 1st Groms

USASA Slopestyle Sat 1/21

Ethan Farmer 8th

Sophie Anderson 3rd

Maggie Leon 4th

Ryan Sihler 7th

Jake Fournier 11th

George McKeever-Parkes 13th

Joey Leon 14th

Juston Peyton 9th

Bobby Bergen 12th

Robbie Ettori 13th

Will Stellar 14th

Peter Hoops 9th

USASA Pipe Sun 1/22

Abby Lancour 3rd

Sophie Anderson 4th

USASA BX x2 at Smuggs Sun 1/22

Nikki Sardelli 2nd, 2nd

Logan Farmer 1st, 3rd

Ethan Farmer 3rd, 3rd

WOW! Big weekend!

For this weekend, it's going to be busy again :-)

Sat and Sun USASA Boardercross Competitors have already received info from me. If you did not receive that info and would like to, let me know.

Sat Gatorade Freeflow Tour competitors, Evan will send you info in a separate email

Sun Gatorade Freeflow Junior Jam and Pipe Competitors will meet Coach Evan and Gillian at BEAR MOUNTAIN at 7:30 AM. Practice for the jam and pipe begins at 8:00 AM. Full schedule for the day can be found here.

Junior Jam is at the base of the pipe at Bear from 9:15-9:45 with awards directly following.

Pipe practice is 8-10, with Ladies Pipe finals from 12:30-1:00. Pipe awards will be at 4:15 PM at Bear.

All snowboard team members not competing will be on their usual schedule, meeting at the club, ready to rock at 8:30 AM both days.

Upcoming events:

Sat 2/4: USASA Slopestyle at Okemo

Sun 2/5: USASA Pipe at Okemo

Sat 2/11: USASA BX at Bromley

Sat 2/11: Ktown Showdown #2 at Killington

Sun 2/12: USASA BX at Bromley

Sun 2/12: USASA Slopestyle at Crotched Mountain, NH (Ridemass Series)

KC Gandee

Snowboard Program Director

Killington Mountain School / Killington Ski Club
2708 Killington Road

Killington, VT 05751

www.killingtonmountainschool.org
O: 802.422.5671 x 278

M: 802.558.8002

E: kgandee@killingtonmountainschool.org

twitter: @KMSSnowboard

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KMS-Snowboard-Team/190512814309778

Blog: www.kmssnowboardteam.blogspot.com

Notes from the KSC/KMS Competition Programs Office

Volunteers Needed

Saturday and Sunday 1/28 & 1/29

Freestyle B Klassic- Lower Superstar

Volunteers are needed for Course Workers, Choppers and other positions.

{ClICK HERE TO REGISTER}

Sunday 1/29

VT Cup GS- Needles Eye

Volunteers are needed for Course Workers, Gate Keepers and other positions.

{CLICK HERE TO REGISTER}

Saturday and Sunday 2/4 & 2/5

Freestyle A Klassic

Volunteers are needed for Course Workers, Choppers and other positions.

{CLICK HERE TO REGISTER}

Sunday 2/5

MVC Ross GS- Bunny Buster

Volunteers are needed for Course Workers and Gate Judges.

{CLICK HERE TO REGISTER}

Other future events are open for volunteering. Check out the webpage. CLICK HERE

Morning workout

2012-01-24T08:47:00.001-05:00

We started with some great team building exercises and moved on to some circuits.

Ethan's idea of fun between bx races

2012-01-22T14:02:00.001-05:00

Covered chair at Mt. Snow

2012-01-22T07:35:00.003-05:00

A good way to rap up a day of competition.

Powder Day at Killington

2012-01-22T07:35:00.001-05:00

We all had a great day enjoying the new snow by heading into the woods.

USASA Southern Vermont Series: Bromley GS and SL

2012-01-16T15:31:00.003-05:00

L-R Logan Farmer, Ethan Farmer, Nikki Saradelli, Sophie Anderson, Kamran Goossieaux

Under blue skies and sub-zero morning temps, the KMS Snowboard Team charged into today's alpine race event with purpose. Ethan Farmer, 10 of Randolph, VT scored a 2nd place finish in GS and a fourth in Slalom for Menehune Boys (10-11). Nikki Sardelli, KMS Class of '16, continued her undefeated Southern Vermont Series season with wins in both GS and Slalom for the Breaker Girls (12-13). KMS BOOST student-athlete Sophie Anderson, 15 of Littleton, MA took first in GS and 2nd in SL in her first day of alpine racing ever.

KMS Class of '14 Logan Farmer took 2nd in both GS and SL. Logan also took 3rd Overall in GS regardless of age group! Rounding out the KMS Team was Kamran Gossiaeux, 16 of Andover, MA with is first ever gold medal in the Southern Vermont Series: 1st in GS and second in SL. Way to go team!

-KC

The course in the sun!

2012-01-14T13:18:00.001-05:00

Sugarloaf BX Training

2012-01-13T13:10:00.002-05:00

After a 7.5 hour drive o Thursday, Logan Farmer (KMS '14), Nikki Sardelli (KMS '16), Abby Lancour and WIll Stellar from our weekend comp programs and I arrived at our rental house (mansion) in Sugarloaf. Only 5 minutes from the mountain, we scored a 3 bedroom 2500 sq ft house with a great kitchen and HUGE rooms in which to hang out- all for $100 less than a 2 bedroom condo at the mountain! Thanks VRBO.com!

With a good breakfast in our bellies, we headed to the mountain for training day on the newly built boardercross- a team effort of CVA coach Mike Mallon and gold medalist Seth Wescott. Unfortunately, training was delayed one hour due to freezing rain and fog.

The start of the boardercross course this morning in the fog.

After walking the course, the team was able to slip it twice before...THUNDER. That's right. Thunder. In Maine in January. Lifts shut down and we ate lunch. After a long wait, the lifts finally opened again- for five minutes before another thunder clap shut them down yet again.

Nikki Sardelli makes herself a human target for snowballs while we wait.

The down time was getting to the crew...

Our team's patience finally paid off when, at 2:20, we were able to load the lift again. Just before another thunder clap. Our crew was able to get one more run down the course, with video, before the mountain closed for the day. We're off to the Anti Gravity Center tonight to play a little before the pre-race meal. After some course video watching, we'll hit the beds and wake up for our race tomorrow! Wish us luck!

Here's the course

Light the Night Rail Jam at Okemo

2012-01-09T09:22:00.004-05:00

Women's Division Winner Maggie Leon and Coach Gillian Goodwill

With warmer than expected (or desired) temps, the KMS Snowboard Team traveled down route 100 to Okemo Mountain Resort for the Light the Night Rail Jam this past Saturday Jan. 7th accompanied by Coach Gillian Goodwill.

With a challenging and creative setup for the event, and plenty of spectators, the team had their work cut out for them! KMS Snowboard Team rookie Justin Peyton 15 of Woodstock, VT wowed the crowd by gapping onto the flat-down-flat-down rail. Joey Leon, 12 of West Simsbury, CT nailed his first backside lipslide in competition on the down bar. The stoke was high for the team, which setup Maggie Leon, 14 of West Simsbury CT for the win in the women's division! With a clean 50-50 of the entire flat-down-flat-down rail, there was no other choice. This was Maggie's first rail jam win of the season, but definitely won't be the last.

We're very proud of all the KMS Snowboard Team that traveled and competed- great job team!

-KC

USASA Southern Vermont Series GS and SL

2012-01-07T16:03:00.005-05:00

The crew just before the GS start. Sunny skies!

Nikki Sardelli at the GS start.

The first USASA Southern Vermont Series (SVS) alpine race day is in the books after a morning GS and an afternoon SL. With sunny skies and warm temps (still...ugh), the courses were soft. The morning's GS was very turny and technical, while the afternoon's SL was fast and straight.

After some amazing Giant Slalom competition, the top three riders in the Menehune Boys (10-11) were seperated by less than 1.0 second after 2 runs with KMS Elite Team member Ethan Farmer, age 10 from Randolph VT, taking home the Silver medal. KMS Snowboard Team Class of '16 Nikki Sardelli, 13 from Killington, VT, had a great first showing of the season taking home the Gold for Breaker Girls (12-13) after two solid runs. KMS Sophomore Logan Farmer, 15 from Randolph, beat out the next rider by less than 0.1 seconds for Silver in Youth Boys (14-15). Also racing were Alex Sheppard, 15 from Woodstock, VT, who pulled in 4th place in Youth Boys and Kamran Gossieaux 16 from Andover, MA who scored a fifth place in Junior Boys (16-17).

The afternoon's fast Slalom course provided more great results for the KMS Team. Ethan Farmer had a fall in his first run but managed a 3rd place result and still landed on the podium. Nikki Sardelli continued a great day with another 1st place finish and Logan Farmer was edged out by less than one second to bring home the Bronze medal. Alex Sheppard landed a fifth place and Kamran Gossieaux rounded out the KMS Team with a fifth place spot as well.

Great Job KMS! We race again next Monday, 1/16!

USASA GS and SL at Bromley

2012-01-07T09:27:00.001-05:00

Great day for training

2012-01-04T21:18:00.001-05:00

Nollie front flip session was a great success!!!

2011-12-30T07:50:00.003-05:00

Where's Benji Farrow

2011-12-30T07:50:00.001-05:00

The entire crew had fun n and learned a lot from Benji..

Our Trampoline Facility is coming along nicely!

2011-12-28T07:49:00.000-05:00

Holiday Camp with US Snowboard Team Member Benji Farrow

2011-12-27T09:51:00.002-05:00

The group warms up before shredding with TTR ranked #1 rider Benji Farrow. Benji will be shredding with the group and dropping knowledge and skill for the next three days!

Nikki and Ethan's first day of hardboots!

2011-12-22T13:49:00.001-05:00

Banked slalom sx/sbx practice.

2011-12-20T10:55:00.001-05:00

Team Building Tuesday

2011-12-20T08:10:00.001-05:00

The human knot with freestyle, freeski and snowboard teams working together to untangle.

Sunday Training

2011-12-19T09:20:00.000-05:00

A beautiful cold day at Killington with the Presidential range in the background.

As the freestylers focused on down bars, the Fast and the Furious pumped rollers, trained GS and searched bittersweet for double and triple jump lines.

First Ktown showdown!

2011-12-17T13:46:00.001-05:00

Joe Leon took first for boys grom and Maggie Leon took third in women's open division.

And there was a wildlife spotting, as well.

Weekend Two for the Team

2011-12-16T18:13:00.001-05:00

GS Practice

2011-12-14T11:07:00.001-05:00

We are having a very productive day. Our Snowboarders are running gates and getting back into the alpine frame of mind.

Killington Pictures

2011-12-13T10:12:00.001-05:00

Logan ready to rip on his new board!

2011-12-13T10:09:00.001-05:00

Rails2Riches

2011-12-10T10:36:00.001-05:00

Snowboard Stars Team

2011-12-10T09:58:00.001-05:00

Tin, Kristen and Christopher on day one.

Awesome!

2011-12-09T11:27:00.001-05:00

Returning KSC Coaches BIO

2011-12-08T10:56:00.005-05:00

Gillian Goodwill- Has been snowboarding for 16 years now, teaching snowboard lessons for 7 years, and this will be my 4th year coaching with KMS. I hail from North Hampton, NH and enjoy traveling, music, hiking, and all sorts of fun outdoor activities! Thanks snowboarding.

Returning KSC Coaches BIO

2011-12-08T10:53:00.003-05:00

My name is Kaella Ryan.

This will be my 11th season riding.

Started teaching 6 years ago at Mountain Creek in NJ.

I've earned my AASI Level II.

I currently major in Psychology at Johnson State College.

Gingerbread Houses

2011-12-07T21:57:00.002-05:00

Untitled from KMS Snowboard on Vimeo.

KMS students faculty and staff are evenly divided into six teams for various duties around campus like snow shoveling, cleaning and for fun stuff like bowling tournaments and tonight's shennanigans: Gingerbread House making. Check out the video of the (almost) six teams' final products.

Our Newest Addition To Our Snowboard Coaching Staff!

2011-12-07T16:54:00.002-05:00

My name is Wally Campbell and I will be the Coach for the weekend Snowboard Stars this season at KWSC/KMS. I come to the program from the New England Handicapped Sports Association, NEHSA, at Mt Sunapee. At Mt Sunapee I worked with children of all ages, adults and veterans who wanted to learn to snowboard. In addition to teaching and training staff I was also the Snowboard program coordinator for the past 13 seasons at NEHSA. My home town is Dracut, MA and my son Collin and I travel to Killington weekly. I am AASI Level I and AASI Adaptive Level I certified and look forward to helping the KWSC/KMS athletes discover the exciting world of competitive snowboarding.

Wednesday Training

2011-12-07T15:45:00.003-05:00

Raining in the valley, but clear up top...sometimes. This morning's workout went long, leaving us a short on hill session of spring like corn snow, barespot jumping and terrain reading. We always get something out of training...even though it might not be what we planned.

The forecast calls for snow tonight, finally! Keep your fingers crossed!

Stair Session

2011-12-06T19:29:00.002-05:00

Fun in any weather

2011-12-06T14:20:00.001-05:00

Team Building Tuesday

2011-12-06T09:21:00.003-05:00

Tuesday Mornings start with team building in the gym. Freeskiers and snowboarders train together; we may stand facing different directions, but we see the mountain in very similar ways and we go to the same contests!

Brothers gotta hug!

Sunday 12/4 Training

2011-12-05T08:54:00.002-05:00

Logan Farmer cranks a sick heelside turn on Sunday before the crowds overwhelmed us and we split from Killington. After 2 excellent hours of training on heelside turn edge engagement and terrain pumping, we headed to Greem Mountain Rock Climbing Center for some cross training- nothing like core strengthening, agility and balance skill work 40 feet off the ground!

Think snow!

Making the best of the snow blown day

2011-12-02T17:57:00.001-05:00

Maggie Leon Hammers It

2011-11-20T13:10:00.001-05:00

Literally. At the Loaded Turkey Rail Jam, Ksc/kms rider Maggie Leon didn't quite make it spinning onto the box. Busted board, dented box and a Smith Optics sponsorship. Not a bad day!

Loaded Turkey railjam

2011-11-20T11:19:00.001-05:00

Another Day of Training in the Books

2011-11-18T16:15:00.002-05:00

The Crew at the end of the day

Friday is finished, and so is the day on the hill! Will learned bs 180's onto rails, Robbie is sneaking up on Frontside 180's to bs 180's off! Ethan got his first 50-50 of the season and the pipe and alpine riders dialed in their power stance on their heel edges. A great day of training!

Now the KMS riders are doing hill sprints...more riding tomorrow!

Early Season freeriding

2011-11-18T11:23:00.002-05:00

Here's a very short, very raw clip from last Sunday- it was great to be riding with the team again! We should have some great footage form the upcoming Loaded Turkey Rail Jam, scheduled for Sunday 11/20 up next week!

There's still snow!

2011-11-16T11:05:00.001-05:00

Wednesday Training

2011-11-16T09:08:00.001-05:00

After an hour of mobility and warm ups we hit the hill. Its 50 degrees and cloudy, but still snow up top. Today we work on our triggers, a physical routine to focus our minds. Think basketball freethrows...

Swix clinic with Jed

2011-11-12T18:05:00.001-05:00

Community Service

2011-11-12T09:19:00.000-05:00

The snowboard, freeski and freestyle teams helped killington ski patrol by moving and carrying pads to hazards today. Thanks for saving us patrol! KMS loves you!

Future KMS athlete

2011-11-11T10:57:00.001-05:00

Ethan rockin the KMS Flannel

School Bus Clinic

2011-11-11T10:49:00.001-05:00

Teachers Phil Anderson, Andrew Whyte, Ben Todt and I attend a school bus driving clinic. Student safety is priority one!

Cross Training and Yoga

2011-11-10T22:26:00.003-05:00

A Conversation with Fear

Today, Lauren, Nikki and Freeskier Eric took advantage of the 70 degree day to cross train at Deer Leap VT. A hike and some rock climbing is a great way to get a good workout, have fun and conquer fear!! Although fear is normal and natural, the KMS student-athletes learned how to determine real fear from irrational fear, and how to put fear aside and push through it when the fear is irrational. Way to go team!

Eric U. on a climb at Deer Leap

Lauren H. at the top!

Nikki S. working a climb

Nikki, Lauren and Eric checking out a cave

The day finished with yoga at Killington Yoga. Freeskiers, Snowboarders and Freestylers unite for greater core strength, flexibility and injury prevention.

Amazing day!!!

iSport Training

2011-11-09T08:17:00.001-05:00

Early season training with the best in the business!

The stairs.

2011-11-09T07:58:00.001-05:00

First chair!!!

2011-11-08T10:01:00.003-05:00

The girls are excited! Woooo

2011-11-08T10:01:00.001-05:00

The entire crew headed out

2011-11-08T09:51:00.003-05:00

Lauren about to have her first ride of the year

2011-11-08T09:51:00.001-05:00

KC is hitting the slopes hard!!

2011-11-08T09:50:00.001-05:00

Logan loving life!

2011-11-08T08:06:00.001-05:00

Lauren ready to bowl!

2011-11-08T08:05:00.001-05:00

Kc Bowling

2011-11-08T08:04:00.001-05:00

KMS's bowling tournament!!!

2011-11-08T08:02:00.001-05:00

Slackline

2011-11-06T11:15:00.001-05:00

We have acquired a new fun balancing tool.

Trampoline Assembly Project

2011-11-02T11:42:00.001-04:00

Evan and Freeskiing Coach Kevin Merchant assemble our new trampoline. The yurt will be built beginning next week in the space behind the tramp.

KMS and KSC/KMS Climbing Team

2011-11-01T18:49:00.003-04:00

Coach KC and KMS Climbing Team Member Jesse Kunkowski talk through the moves of a climb at practice

KSC/KMS Rock Climbing Team

We're excited to announce that KSC/KMS will be participating in Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center's (GMRCC) Middle and High School Climbing Season! For nearly ten years, middle and high schools from Manchester to Brandon to Rockingham have been competing at the rock climbing center in Rutland. A varsity sport at some area high schools and a club sport at many others, rock climbing is a very safe, highly athletic and very fun sport. The strength, agility and core stability required to be a good climber compliment ski and snowboard training very well.

Teams compete once per month November-February leading up to the State Championship in March. At these monthly competitions, climbers have one hour to climb as many routes as possible. Routes vary in difficulty, and harder routes earn climbers more points. Climbs must be completed from the ground up- if the climber "falls" or weights the rope, they must be lowered to the ground and then may begin again. The team's score is determined by totaling each climber's 4 highest scoring routes for a total score. The 5 highest total scores make up the team's score.

The KSC/KMS Rock Climbing Team is open to all middle and high school students, as long as the student's school does not have a rock climbing team. There is no cost to join the KSC/KMS Rock Climbing Team, however, team members must be on the KSC/KMS Competition Programs Roster for the 2011-2012 season. The team is open to those who have never climbed- we'll show you how!

GMRCC Cost: $6/visit or $150 for a membership that allows unlimited climbing until 8/31/2012. Either of these fees include all necessary rental equipment.

Optional Items:

KSC/KMS Climbing Team T-shirt: $25

Many climbers choose to purchase their own gear. Here are some basic gear prices

Chalk Bag $18

Chalk $5

Climbing shoes: $50-150

Harness: $50-$100

Practice: Tuesdays 4:30-6:30 at GMRCC beginning Nov. 1

Competitions: Nov. 16, Dec 21, Jan 25, Feb 29, March 21 (or 14, pending)

We'll have an interest meeting at GMRCC on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 4:30 PM, followed by the team's first practice. All are welcome to attend.

Please contact KSC/KMS Snowboard Program Director KC Gandee at kgandee@killingtonmountainschool.org or 802-422-KMS1 x 278 if you have any questions.

Hello Winter

2011-10-28T08:45:00.002-04:00

What a beautiful morning! Look closer in the picture- you can see the snow guns on the north ridge triple area! That's right, in addition to the snow from heaven, we're getting snow from hoses as well. See you soon- on the hill!

-KC

Snow!

2011-10-27T10:14:00.001-04:00

And it's still coming down!

Snow at Killington this AM!

2011-10-26T10:00:00.003-04:00

Our first ground covering of wet but white snow fell this morning! My new board is waxed and ready and new pants and boots are on the way! Our KMS and KSC/KMS Coach jackets are being logoed (let's just say we'll be highly identifiable this season)! To say the crew here is excited for winter might just be the understatement of the year.

While we're looking at snow, I found this post on twsnow.com about a snowflex park in Virginia. They've been shredding there all summer. Without DOUBT, the team will be training here next summer. Less expensive than Hood and a short 12 hour van ride away, keep your inbox open for details.

http://snowboarding.transworld.net/1000162150/featuresobf/october-snowboarding-in-virginia/?pid=43928#ngtop

-KC

Tramp Sessions Soon!

2011-10-20T15:43:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we unloaded an pro trampoline from a tractor trailer, and it was heavy. It won't be long until our new covered tramp area is built on our Morse Campus and we're bouncing every day! Checkout our freeskiing buddy Kyle on his tramp. This could be you if you come join KMS Snowboarding (or Freesking or Freestyle)!

-Coach KC

Double Time from Kyle Petow on Vimeo.

SBX Training

2011-10-18T14:39:00.001-04:00

Here's short video about how Nate Holland trains. This is what we do at KMS! Come join us!

New BOOST Program Director

2011-10-18T11:42:00.002-04:00

Check out this press release from KMS. The BOOST program lets student-athletes live the KMS life- take classes, do schoolwork AND train on Killington every day! Greg is an awesome guy, great coach and a great friend of the snowboard program. Give him a shout; he's stoked to get snowboarders into the BOOST program this season!

-KC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kim Jackson
kjackson@killingtonmountainschool.org
802.345.9730

Killington Mountain School Names Greg Hadley BOOST Alpine Program Director and KSC/KMS J4 Head Alpine Coach

KILLINGTON, Vt. (Oct. 18, 2011) -- Killington Mountain School (KMS) recently announced that Greg Hadley has been appointed to the post of BOOST Alpine Program Director and will be the head coach for the Killington Ski Club(KSC)/KMS J4 Alpine Team.

The BOOST program is an introduction to the academy lifestyle for alpine, freestyle, freeskiing, and snowboard student-athletes. BOOST program participants train with KMS coaches and work with the school’s dedicated teachers, just like student-athletes in the academy’s nine-month and five-month programs. The program offers multiple options for young student-athletes, including three-day camps, one-week camps, two-week sessions and three-month stays during the fall, winter and summer seasons.

Hadley joined the KMS staff in 2005 as a coach with the KMS Weekend Competition Program, working with the J4s as well as coordinating the three-day program offered by KMS. For the past four years he has coached the student-athletes in the J3 program, capping off two of the most successful seasons at KMS with State Championships for both boys and girls. In addition, he sent five athletes to compete at the K2 Nationals in Canada and three athletes to compete in the coveted Whistler Cup.

“We’re excited to have Greg step into this important role within our KMS community,” said Head of School Tao Smith. “He has had excellent results with our J3 teams the past few years, and we look forward to watching him bring his same tenacity and passion to the younger athletes as they start out on their athletic paths.”

Prior to joining the KMS staff, Hadley coached for four years with the J 1-2’s from the same program he grew up skiing with—the Nashoba Valley Rovers in Westford, Mass. where he implemented a travel program for this team. He also has been the owner and director the sales and marketing for Vermont Sport Sales Agency for the past 15 years, where he has worked within the ski, tennis and bike industries. Hadley resides in Woodstock with his significant other, Megan Fisher, and their black lab, Truffle (aka Trouble).

Killington Mountain School is a fully approved Vermont independent school whose mission is to inspire students to pursue excellence in academics and athletics in a culture that promotes integrity, leadership, responsibility, and respect. To learn more about alpine, snowboard, freestyle, and freeskiing training and opportunities, visit www.killingtonmountainschool.org

or call 802.422.KMS1.

Spanglish

2011-10-16T09:45:00.001-04:00

Check out this video made by the nine-month program spanish students at KMS. Notice anything missing? Let's get some snowboarders into the nine-month program!!

Switch Double Mctwist

2011-10-14T10:21:00.002-04:00

Really? Yup. Awesome!!!

From twsnow.com

Olympian Iouri “I-Pod” Podlatchikov Lands First Ever Documented Switch Backside Double Cork 1260 / Switch Double McTwist By hondo
Thu, Oct 13 2011 6:34 pm | 562 views | 6 Comments

This past Sunday, October 9th, at Snowpark in Wanaka, New Zealand Olympian and top competitive snowboarder, Iouri “I-Pod” Podlatchikov landed the first ever documented Switch Backside Double Cork 1260 / Switch Double McTwist.

While Training with the Swiss Team and Coach Marco Bruni in New Zealand Iouri shows us what’s happening as we head into the Sochi 2014 Olympics. Let’s hope the judges know he’s goofy!

To stay up to date on I-Pod’s shenanigans you can like him on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/qjoi7r

Weekly Emails Resume!

2011-10-11T15:04:00.001-04:00

This went out to KSC/KMS Program Parents today:

Hi Folks,

The weekend was a HUGE success! I haven't seen that much traffic at Killington since winter! Perhaps people came to VT for the weekend to see the damage as much as anything else...

I'm beginning my weekly barrage of emails with all kinds of friendly reminders for you!

-Program registration is up and running here. Lowest rates are available until 10/31, but why wait? Just follow the link now and register :) If you have questions, just let me know.

-VT vs. Elite Team: I've been getting this question a lot- here's the difference: Elite Team INCLUDES transport to/from all regional contests (USASA), coaching Fridays and Sundays in November (excluding Thanksgiving), coaching every Friday through the season and coaching at USASA Nationals (an extra fee of $400 last season for those that qualified). If your rider is interested in competing in USASA comps and going to Nationals, that alone may justify the additional cost even if the rider can't train on Fridays.

-Pre-season training- I know several of the local shredders are already playing soccer, football and other fall sports. If your athlete isn't training, I'll be happy to send along a training plan, just let me know.

-New Coach- We're happy to welcome new Snowboard Star (formerly called Devos) Coach Wally Campbell. Wally most recently held the position of Snowboard Coordinator/Lead Adaptive Snowboard Instructor for the New England Handicapped Sports Association, NEHSA, based out of Mt Sunapee, NH. Wally has been coaching disabled snowboarders since 1998, including athletes at USASA Nationals. Wally is a super creative and fun guy and he's going to bring a lot to our talented young snowboard stars. Welcome Wally!

-Kaella Ryan will be returning as a coach and will help out where ever needed from Stars on up. She's proven her versatility and I'm excited to have her riding with all the groups! Gillian is also back, as is Evan, rounding out the best coaching group in the history of KSC/KMS!!!

-SPECIAL GUEST COACHES- Dec 27-29, US Snowboard Team riders Benji Farrow (HP, SS) and Brooke Shaw (SBX) will be joining us for training!!!! These talented and driven young athletes will rotate through all the groups and pass on the knowledge and the stoke! Mark it on your calendar and don't miss it!

We're looking into Team edition jackets and hoodies, so don't rush on buying new ones just yet...

As always, check the blog and Facebook page for updates, and never hesitate to email or call with questions!

-KC

KSC/KMS Snowboard Team at Monster Sale

2011-10-08T14:51:00.001-04:00

Maggie, Joey, Cameron and Ryan chill at the KSC Monster Sale. Come by and say "hi"!

KSC/KMS Competition Program Registration OPEN!!

2011-09-27T16:33:00.001-04:00

KSC/KMS Competition Program Registration is now OPEN!

http://www.killingtonmountainschool.org/ksc_kms.php

Olympic Controversy?

2011-09-27T12:45:00.004-04:00

Since Slopestyle is now in the Olympics, there's bound to be some controversy and politics involved as well. Way back in 1998 when snowboarding made its debut, we went through the same type of controversy, causing riders like the legendary Terje Haakonsen to boycott. Never the less, snowboarding is still in the Olympics and is growing (BX has been added, and Slopestyle and parallel slalom are on deck).

As a program that promotes competition and training, we're stoked to see these athletes included. Check out this article below from www.twsnow.com and tell us what you think.

http://snowboarding.transworld.net/1000159773/featuresobf/shaking-hands-with-the-devil-final-throw/?comment=true#ngtop

Chas Guldemond has been one of the more vocal riders in getting riders voices included in the Olympic Slopestyle qualification debate. PHOTO: Frode Sandbech/TAC

The truly frustrating thing about the way the Olympic slopestyle qualification debacle has unfolded over the last eighteen months is that we really can’t say we weren’t warned. After all, this entire thing has already been played out once before, when halfpipe and slalom snowboarding were introduced into the 1998 Nagano Games. At least that time, we had naivety and disorganization as an excuse.

This time around, we don’t even have that. Since the Vancouver halfpipe final snagged some of NBC’s highest 2010 viewing figures, certain far-sighted snowboarders have been warning that another hostile takeover was on the cards. The recent controversy about tennis underlined once more how fundamentally ridiculous it is that a ski federation looks set to control the way snowboarding is represented and organized on the biggest sporting platform on the planet.

Can you imagine the same thing happening in tennis when that sport became part of the Olympic family? Imagine the same scenario: that the decision is made to fast-track tennis into the next Olympics. Then imagine that an organizing body that previously had absolutely nothing to do with the sport—say, the people that organize badminton—decide that they’re going to run the qualification process. Why not? They both swing racquet things at moving objects, right? Then let’s imagine for one insane minute that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) go along with this.

Imagine that next, rather than listen to the people that have been successfully organizing tennis competitions for years, the badminton guys decide to make a few tweaks to the way tennis is played, just for the Olympics. Maybe they decide to insist on a certain number of backhand strokes per rally. Or maybe they insist on the game being played on a court that’s just a couple of feet too small, meaning all the top tennis pros have to subtly adjust their game in order to take part.

Then the badminton guys decide to ignore every existing competition out there and create a new tour all their own that everyone has to take part in whether they like it or not. What, it might upset the balance of events that has existed for years and place impossible organizational and physical challenges on the athletes? Ah well.

It may sound ridiculous, but this is exactly the situation that competitive snowboarding finds itself in right now, as the recent announcement that the Olympic slopestyle snowboarding events in 2014 Sochi will follow the same International Ski Federation (FIS) qualifying guidelines surely indicates.

At the end of August, the IOC apparently approved the qualification process for the 2014 Games in Sochi as submitted by FIS.

Let’s recap what that announcement from earlier in the month signifies. At the end of August, the IOC apparently approved the qualification process for the 2014 Games in Sochi as submitted by FIS. Crucially, this process will be, as writer Melissa Larsen put it in a recent article, “virtually identical to the one in place for 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.” Melissa further pointed out that this indicated that, “the FIS executive committee chose to disregard the work of a joint Task Force established in May…to address the qualification processes for snowboarding.”

The Task Force, comprising key players from both FIS and the snowboarding community, had planned to present their findings at FIS meetings in October. But the decision by the FIS Council to submit their qualification proposal in August means that any findings they present will be largely irrelevant when it comes to the 2014 debate.

So is it game over? To find out, I spoke to Reto Lamm, President of the TTR World Snowboard Tour. Reto is currently involved in what he calls an “information triangle” between the TTR, FIS, and the IOC. In other words, prolonged, delicate negotiations in an attempt to resolve the impasse.

The situation right now is that FIS do have control of the qualification. FIS is empowered by the IOC, and we have to deal with that. Is there anything we can do about it? I believe there is.

For Reto, these talks represent something of a final throw of the dice for the snowboarding community. But he is still hopeful a compromise can be reached. “The situation right now is that FIS do have control of the qualification. FIS is empowered by the IOC, and we have to deal with that. Is there anything we can do about it? I believe there is.”

According to Reto, “…the IOC would be okay with TTR’s involvement in qualifications as long as we arrange ourselves with FIS.” To try and make this happen, Reto and the TTR are, within the next few weeks, making a clear proposal to FIS that puts forward the TTR case as agreed between the board and partner events. The idea is to put forward a certain number of TTR events that can eventually form a joint TTR/FIS tour that will decide future Olympic qualification processes. The events could include, says Reto, “…the Grand Prix in the US, the Burton Opens, maybe the Arctic Challenge- basically all events that run halfpipe or slopestyle and are not invitational only. There are so many events. That’s also a challenge. In general, the events have to agree to be on the list as an Olympic qualifier.”

And what happens if FIS decide not to join this compromise effort?

Reto: “We will explain that we tried all we could and failed. If FIS rejects us [TTR], and if they say no, then basically we are not accepted within the Olympic movement. We’ve been working on this for a while, and at some point we may have to say this is not going to be possible unless the IOC gets involved.”

Does FIS want to take part in this process?

Reto: “They have concerns about certain aspects of TTR events, but I told them we would have no problem finding a solution to these problems.”

These “concerns” form the crux of the entire debate (and to more cynical members of the snowboarding community, have given FIS an easy list of excuses to hide behind), and they are many. The eventual qualification process is one. Others are judging, the differing “open” status of many snowboarding events, commercial compatibility and-the big one for everybody—a calamitously crowded calendar should a future FIS slopestyle tour (which does not currently exist) clash with existing TTR events.

For Reto, a compromise between all parties on these issues is the only way forward—”The only thing we can do right now is use the diplomatic movement to try and get our view across. If we can show some involvement, and represent our sport as it actually is, then that could be a chance to help change things. The task on one level is to find solutions and make sure the IOC understands our process. That’s why I think the Task Force is a great thing, as it has a huge amount of collective intelligence that can get together and put forward views and different scenarios. In this sense it is very important. But the more the proposals seem transparent and doable and serious, the more it will have an influence.”

Fundamentally, you can’t use the cycling federation to bring skateboarding into the Games, and you can’t use skiing for snowboarding.

Reto also makes the very valid point that this situation is also an opportunity for FIS and the IOC, he says, “I believe it would be beneficial to everyone, not just for the TTR. It will be good for the IOC and the FIS as well. Personally, I think the IOC should accept and use sports like ours to rejuvenate the Games. And they have to deal with the reality of these sports. Fundamentally, you can’t use the cycling federation to bring skateboarding into the Games, and you can’t use skiing for snowboarding. They’re different sports, with different cultures. We all started snowboarding because we did not want to ski and because we wanted to experience something else than skiing. We built a sport with a relevant youth culture, which has nothing to do with skiing. We respect skiers who ski. We just feel like we should play a role in our own sport when it is presented at the Olympics. And the IOC should recognize and implement this, to improve their own offering. And this would improve things for everybody.”

So at this point, the question is a simple one: how will FIS respond to this olive branch being proffered by the TTR? Will the organization take the long view, and accept that this is a real problem that isn’t going away? Or will short-termism be the path taken?

Reto says, “If FIS won’t find a solution, it will take another four years. Or another eight years. And the problems will still be in the room. There are reasons why FIS needs to deal with this now, while we have the opportunity. It’s not going to go away.”

Eight more years of this debate? Let’s hope that FIS respond in the same spirit of cooperation. For everybody’s sanit

New Student Orientation

2011-09-26T12:02:00.003-04:00

Saturday September 24th welcomed seven new students and their families to Killington Mountain School. Logan Farmer and Nikki Sardelli are the two newest members of our KMS SNowboard Team and both were in attendance with their families.

Sophomore Logan Farmer has been racing boardercross for years and entered last season's USASA National Championships as the number one ranked BX rider in his age group!

Eighth grader Nikki ended her first year of snowboard competition last season with an 8th place finish in GS at the USASA National Championship.

Both are excited about joining us in November and competing this coming season!

Pictured here: KMS Head of School Tao Smith addresses new families at Saturdays oreintation. Logan looks on.

2011-07-07T18:05:00.001-04:00

Here's a cool story about KWSC/KMS Snowboarder Sam Hayden! Awesome rider in the woods and on the GS and SL course!

Click here to read the VT Sports 18 & U story

Olympic News

2011-07-07T12:36:00.002-04:00

The IOC recently announced that Snowboard Slopestyle and Parallel Slalom events will be added to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Socchi, Russia. This adds to the already popular events of Superpipe, Snowboardcross and Parallel Giant Slalom. KMS and KWSC/KMS athletes take note, and start training harder!!

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/injects+snowboard+slopestyle+adrenalin+lineup/5050651/story.html

Everyone on the deck for the triple jump

2011-06-24T22:57:00.001-04:00

Ryan Jumping off the double

2011-06-24T22:54:00.000-04:00

Jesse Jumping into the pool

2011-06-24T22:52:00.000-04:00

DJ

2011-06-24T22:50:00.000-04:00

Getting ready to jump

2011-06-24T22:47:00.000-04:00

Front Flip off the double

2011-06-24T22:46:00.000-04:00

Ryan doing a front flip into the pool

2011-06-24T22:43:00.000-04:00

Jesse Jumping into the pool

2011-06-24T22:41:00.000-04:00

Ryan doing a double backflip

2011-06-24T22:39:00.001-04:00

Ryan jumping off the double

2011-06-24T22:37:00.000-04:00

Jumping off the double

2011-06-24T22:34:00.000-04:00