Stefan Bagnato – Profile
US Team Member: 2017-2022
Hometown: Albany, NY
Home Ski Hill/Resort: West Mountain, Queensbury, NY
USTSA Sponsors: Karbon, Global Rescue, Saucer Wax, Minus 33, Telemarkdown, 22 Designs
My Skiing History:
Skiing has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I started alpine skiing around age 4-5, skiing mostly in Vermont with my family. My undergraduate thesis advisor introduced me to telemark during my senior year and got me hooked. NASTAR courses at various mountains have always grabbed my interest and I eventually began participating in the Capital District Ski Council races around 2011. Despite racing against alpine skiers, I have a lot of fun with the challenge of racing, and feel it has made me a better skier overall. In 2016 I stumbled across the Tele Team Training Camp, realized it was open to the public, and decided to attend. It was a great kickoff to the season, I learned a lot, and opened my eyes to the fact that there was telemark racing available to me. The
following week I participated in my first tele race at West Mountain. I have been participating in as many USTSA races as I can ever since.
My goals is to always improve my technique as much as possible, minimize my penalties, and enjoy the ability to compete with other tele skiers.
What I Love About Telemark Racing:
I love the physical challenge of telemark, but there is also something strangely natural about the tele turn. I am continually amazed at the cool tribe of people within the telemark community.
Interesting Facts About Myself:
I work as a geologist for an environmental consulting firm.
I am a 4th degree black belt in taekwondo.
I play ultimate frisbee in the “off season”.
Competition Results:
2020 Season
-US Nationals – Crotched Mountain
Classic #1 – 7th
Classic #2 – 10th
Sprint Classic – 11th
Parallel Sprint – 1st Round elimination
Overall – 9th
-Waterville Valley Sprint Classic – 8th
2019 Season
Gore Mountain Sprint Classic #1 – 8th
Gore Mountain Sprint Classic #2 – 10th
2018 Season
US Nationals – Crotched Mountain
Sprint Classic #1 – 14th
Sprint Classic #2 – 16th
2017 Season
Suicide Six Sprint Classic – 10th
Waterville Valley Sprint Classic – 11th
Mt. Abram Sprint Classic – 10th
Wildcat Sprint Classic – 13th
Kare Andersen Sprint Classic – 1st overall
2016 Season
West Mountain Sprint Classic – 3rd place Citizens