Eastern Alpine Competition Committee Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2011
Fairfield Inn, White River Junction, VT
Members Present:
Steve Utter
Bev Oliver
Chuck Hughes
Dan Thompson
Doug Williams
Laurel Lashar
Mark Sullivan
Peter Dodge
Jill Firstbrook
Kirk Dwyer
Peter Dodge
Jim Backman
Chip Cochrane
Peter Cornish
Bev Oliver
Jill Firstbrook
Connie Webster
Julie Woodworth
Wendy Neal
Mike Morin
Craig Antonides
Chuck Hughes
Tao Smith
Julie Woodworth
Guests
Laura Sullivan
Darlene Ginsberg
John Jacobs
Neal McNealus
Warren Palmer
Mike Davenport
Jenna Ginsberg
Brad Williams
Lori Ford
Ryan Sheredy
Bruce Newman
Jeff Jenkins
Gerd Reiss
Eric Harlow
USSA Eastern Region Staff Present:
Tim Maguire
Alexandra Krebs
Rich Smith
Dirk Gouwens
Three Proxies received.
Craig Antonides for Dan Marshall
Dan Thompson for Dan Chayes
Jim Backman for Rob Dowd
The meeting was called to order by Kirk Dwyer at 8:32am
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Doug Williams, 2nd by Mark Sullivan, Approved
A motion to approve the minutes of the fall, 2010 meeting was made by Steve Utter, 2nd by
Chuck Hughes, Approved.
Kirk Dwyer gave his report. He thanked Tim for a great year and congratulated him for
assembling a great team and thanked the staff for the all the great work done by the eastern
office this season. He also thanked all those that sat on committee’s and sub-committees as
well as all the state chairs.
Kirk stated that with the new job descriptions handed down by USSA there was concern in
the east about the status of Alexandra Krebs and her position in the east. He reminded the
committee that the position was created by the eastern region based on a specific need and
that since the eastern region is funding half the position and most of the incurred expenses
and that the eastern region currently represents over 55% of total USSA membership that the
eastern region should at the very least be a part of the discussion for the needs of the position.
The eastern region feels that Alex’s position should be part of athletics and not competition
management. Kirk will carry this message forward to Luke Bodensteiner.
Kirk will be stepping down as Chair at the end of this meeting
Report by Tim Maguire.
Tim reported that Patrick Riml has been hired as the new Alpine Program Director and that he
has a new job title (Eastern Development Director) and that he will now report directly to Patrick.
His job will now be more focused on development. Dirk will now report directly to Walt Evans
who is now focused more on mechanics of competitions as well as overall sport development.
Rich is 100% funded by the eastern region so his position will not change. Alex is funded 50%
by the east and 50% by USSA therefore her position is somewhat in limbo. Tim feels that when
his budget was shifted to Athletics, Alex should have also been moved and that is currently in
discussion.
Tim thanked all the staff. He felt this was the best year we have had since he has been in this
position and feels that we have a strong team to bring to the eastern region.
Report by Dirk Gouwens
Dirk reported that the web site that we developed served us well this winter and that all the
elements that were introduced worked smoothly and that all the coaches were able to utilize
the system well once they had a basic understanding of how it worked. The web site was used
extensively by athletes, coaches and parents and we saw over 1.2 million hits through the end
of March. In addition to ussaeast.com and ussaeast.org we created several other sites to serve
the region including the youth skills site and the YouTube channel for viewing video that was
collected over the winter. Some of the video’s posted saw over 3600 views. Over the summer
we will modify some things based on what we learned over the course of the winter and will
seek out comments from coaches on how to make it better. The athlete management portion
worked well. We managed 118 FIS level events with over 10, 700 starts. Utilizing the web site
and other software and live timing we were able to deliver race files directly to RA’s and team
captains meetings went very smoothly. Dirk thanked all the staff for working very well together
and looks forward to another great year.
Report by Alexandra Krebs
Alex wished to thank all the staff and mentioned that we had a great team this year. It was
great to see the entire eastern staff and Jon Nolting at the J3 ERS races at Sunapee. It was
great to see everyone there and many commented on seeing the US Ski Team jackets on the
hill. Dirk and Rich also helped with the J4 Speed Camps. She thanked everyone for their
support. Alex conducted 17 program visits this year. She met with parents, coaches and
worked with athletes. The fundamentals camps worked very well this year. J4 speed element
camps were exceptionally well received and athletes really enjoyed them and showed huge
improvement in just one day. She is looking at doubling these camps next year doing two days
at each site with different athletes on each day. Sl and GS course setting needs to be looked
at and a committee was formed to look at this and create some new guidelines for children’s
races.
In the post season, K2 nationals was an excellent event and we had great results. Can Am was
also a great event and Tremblant did a great job.
In the future the US will not be attending Topolino or Whistler. Instead, we are looking at
creating a J3 AmCan. An event that would bring together the east along with Quebec and
Ontario. Proposed 30 boys and 30 girls from the east.
The children’s committee will bring forward a recommendation to separate the boys and girls
GS races on separate days at J3 Championships and J4 Future Stars.
Park City is talking about a potential J3 Talent ID project bringing 15 to 20 boys and girls from
each region to Park City in early April.
Report by Rich Smith
Rich thanked all the staff for their help this winter. He visited all major full time clubs/academies
this fall/early winter. Also did state presentations on Long Term Athlete development. He felt
it was extremely important to have a USSA coach/rep visit as many clubs as possible each
year. He said it was a great year to be a coach in the east. We had great results. Athletes are
happy with the direction of the region and the results they achieved. His position helps tie all
the programs in the east together at major events.
Rich worked with Fred Turton on developing the skills day at Waterville Future Stars. The event
well very well and athletes had a great time encouraging others to do better. The children’s
committee is working on ways to incorporate the program in future events and help with flow
around the race days. It was clear at the skills day that coaches need more education and
training as many were unable to properly perform the skills. It is important to stress education
for coaches and encourage them to use all the resources that are available to them.
Alpine Officials report by Chuck Hughes
Group met last weekend. Meetings were very productive and the committee enjoys a good
working relationship with each other. They created and approved new By-Laws.
Chuck stressed that the AO community are all volunteers and commit their time strictly because
they love the sport and want to help athletes. The group had two meetings. One to approve
advancements and the main meeting which revolved mostly on approval of the by-laws. There
were numerous clinics held throughout the east this year. All are encouraged to participate.
The group would like to see homologation numbers on the sanction agreement in the future.
The group would like to see more officials and coaches participate in clinics. All need to know
the rules.
Children’s committee report by Wendy Neal
Thanks to Alex and Rich for the great work they did this year. The committee strongly supports
Kirk’s message to USSA that Alex’s position should stay as part of development. This past
year the committee took the message the received last year seriously and implemented several
programs this year that were all very effective. Wendy wrote a position paper on dealing with
the age change. The skills assessment project was a great start. We will build this further in
the future and will use the skills portion to select athletes for camps. We must get younger
athletes skiing better. There is a huge difference in the skill level between boys and girls right
now and we must tighten this up.
High School report by Craig Antonides for Dan Marshall
The High School championships were well attended and it was a great event. Unfortunately
the weather did not cooperate and eventually they were forced to cancel the GS. High School
racing has a huge following and is healthy in the east.
College Report by Peter Dodge
There continues to be a need to coordinate the college and USSA calendars as there are
conflicts with races as well as school for athletes. USSA needs to recognize the importance of
the collegiate system in the development pipeline. Would like to see group take a stand on the
Nor Am Calendar as it does not support college athletes as it stands now.
Mark Sullivan comments - The landscape is changing. Colleges do not have as much money
as in the past and schools are cutting back on skiing budgets. We will need to adapt to these
changes to remain viable.
Development Report by Mike Morin
The committee has been very active and supports the current eastern structure. Our system
is working well right now and we have had excellent results at all levels. Rich’s participation
has kept our athletes in the forefront of US ski racing. We are currently all working on our
calendars. The committee is also looking at the issues that will be created by the age change
and are identifying items to take to the congress including recommended number of starts,
equipment and course setting guidelines. They would also like to restructure speed week to
include a camp and then a race. He discussed the current D Team status where nearly all are
named on discretion rather than criteria and wondering if it would be better to just keep the
athletes in their home programs. We need a strong voice to make sure that we continue to
keep getting our share of the pie.
EASEF report by Mike Davenport
Funds are healthy as the group is very conservative in how it makes its investments. The
trustee meeting will be the first Friday in June.
Maine report by Laurel Lashar
It was a great winter with lots of snow. Lost a few speed races due to snow.
Will have several new TD’s thanks to the efforts of Ron Bonnevie
NH report by Craig Antonides
Membership numbers are steady and all committee’s are active. Currently waiting for
guidelines on course set, etc to get the word out to clubs/coaches. Still buying B-net for state
inventory which is stored in three places around the state. Thanks to the USSA staff and their
support. Also thanks to Gerd Reiss and Bev OIiver for their help.
NY report by Connie Webster
Thanks to the eastern office for their support. There were several issues this winter that
required the help of USSA east as well as USSA Park City. Also thanks for sending out the
monthly updates from the eastern office. These were very helpful keeping up to date. There is
an issue with the AO committee and NY’s use of the expense report for donations for the Don
Jugle fund. The fund is used for education of officials and the Officials Education committee
doesn’t want to form modified or used this way. The project has worked well and has benefited
many members of the AO community.
PA report by Bruce Newman for Dan Chayes.
No report submitted. Bruce thanked Tim for help with allowing multiple races in one day at a
few venues. Working on age change issues. Not really focused on FIS racing, priority is for J3
and below
SARA report by Dan Thompson
Working with Alex and Rich on skills assessment program. There is a need to improve
penalties at SARA races. Currently too high which makes it hard when athletes go north. Need
division teams to race in other states to lower their points.
Tri State report by Mark Sullivan
Dave Rogers has retired, Mike Kemmer is new President. Group helped bring ski ares into
compliance with homologation requirements. 8 have been completed 3 remain to be done.
Tri State has mostly SL venues as many have chosen not to race GS any more because of
homologations. Only 2 GS venues in Tri State. Used online registration for championship
events.GMVS and SMS sponsorships working well. Still purchasing B-Net. Currently 300 rolls
owned by state. Lots of USSA members that live in Tri State are not members of Tri State.
Need to resolve.
VARA report by Julie Woodworth
Thanks to the eastern office for great communication all season. Thanks to Chuck for getting
AO program in line and for receiving Burkett Dodge award. MVP is a new sponsor and is
on board again for next year. Continue to work on creating a clear path for athletes. Also
addressing age change issues. Also has an issue with number of USSA members that are not
VARA members.
Committee membership voting.
Connie reviewed the operating procedures. We will be down to 2 at large members after this
meeting. Chip, Steve and Jill will have terms expiring and not replaced. Also Kirk is stepping
down. Thanks to Kirk for his years of service.
Nominations for Athelte Rep.
Chip Knight - Dartmouth
Alex Norden - KMS
Jaimie Kingsbury - SMS
Vinnie DiNapoli - OMS
Albert Torres - Elk Mt.
Willie Ford - UNH
3 selected, based on voting, the following will be athlete reps to the EACC:
Chip Knight, Jaimie Kingsbury, Willie Ford
Nominations for Chairman,
Mark Sullivan
Connie Webster
Based on voting, Connie Webster is the new Chairman
Nominations for Vice Chair
Mark Sullivan
Julie Woodworth
Tao Smith
Based on voting, Julie Woodworth is the new Vice Chairman
The following motions were brought to the floor.
1. To require that the GS races at J3 Championships be held on separate days or venues to
allow the boys and girls to compete on different courses.
Motion by Wendy Neal
Second by Steve Utter
Approved
2. to require that the GS races at J4 Championships for boys and girls be on different days so
that those not competing on one day can take part in the skills assessment project.
Motion by Wendy Neal
Second by Tao Smith
Approved
3. To eliminate the Eastern Alpine Championships
Motion by Mike Morin
Second by Steve Utter
Approved
4. To Adjust the naming of athletes for US Nationals as follows:
10 Men, 7 Women from overall Eastern Cup Standings as of March 6
2 Men, 2 Women by Best FIS points
1 Man, 1 Woman by discretion (Eastern Development Director)
Motion by Mike Morin
Second by Steve Utter
Approved
5. To modify the selection of J2 athletes to Men’s DEVO and Men’s and Ladies NJR races by
using a separate 3 event NTSM of only J2 athletes. (Note, Dec and Jan selections for the
women’s EC Events and men’s DEVO Events are selected by the previous years J3
Champions, for first year FIS eligible athletes)
Motion by Mike Morin
Second by Doug Williams
Approved
6. To modify the quota of SARA athletes to J3 Finals from the current 15 to 10 athletes. The 5
athletes formerly in the SARA quota will be re-allocated using the current structure in place.
Motion by Connie Webster
Second by Laural Lashar
Approved
7. To allow the EACC executive committee to negotiate with USSA and be given all tools
necessary to retain Alexandra Krebs in the current regional position including fully funding the
position with Eastern money if necessary.
Motion by Kirk Dwyer
Second by Dan Thompson
Approved - Mark Sullivan opposed.
New Business
Laura Sullivan - Currently there is no treasurer on the EACC. Someone should be in place to
monitor funds. Tim - Budget is always based on income from the previous year. There is no
spending based on speculative income.
Chuck Hughes discussed the possibility of having each state have separate representation on
various committees. This would allow us to have 8 votes instead of just 1.
Dirk mentioned that we recently learned that Utah passed a concussion management law and
since USSA was based in Utah all our athletes would fall under this new law. Jeff Weinman will
be in charge of managing.
Next meetings.
Fall - September 23, Location TBA
Spring - April 20-21, 2012 Location TBA
Old Business
Bev Oliver discussed the current relationship between the EACC, AO committee and ESA.
Currently the ESA is not active. Members have been contacted to see if they would like to
continue their positions and to find new members to bring this organization active again. She
has researched documents and by-laws in the New England Ski Museum and will do more
research over the summer.
Motion to Adjourn by Connie Webster
Second by Jim Backman
Meeting adjourned at 1:29pm