2011-2012 US Telemark National and Development Teams Announced
Whitefish, MT June 20, 2011- The United States Telemark Ski Association (USTSA) announces the roster for the 2011-2012 US Telemark National and Development teams. 12 competitors comprise the upcoming A and B squads. Madi McKinstry of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and the 2011 National Champion leads the A-Team. A-Team members included Zoë Taylor of Atlanta, Georgia and Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Cory Snyder of Franconia, New Hampshire; Jeffrey Gay of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Charlie Dresen, also of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This new A-Team is led by youth but not a lack of experience. All but one member of the leading team is under 21 years of age.
Seven members fill out the B-Team. From Whitefish, Montana is Maggie Doherty; Tommy Gogolen of Breckinridge, Colorado; Birk Larsen of Park City, Utah; Andrew Minier of Eden, New York; Josh Lanzetta of New Durham, New Hampshire; and brothers Garrett and Jack Long of Riverside, Connecticut. Minier was a US Team member first in 2002 and has returned after a racing sabbatical of several years.
With many new faces making the National Team, USTSA also has several key racers retiring from competition. Shane Anderson, the reigning three-time National Champion, ranked 14th in the World Cup standings and telemark competitor since 2006, announced his retirement from the US Telemark National team. Also, retiring from competition is Steamboat Springs, Colorado’s Lorin Paley, the 2009 Junior World Champion in the Classic and Sprint Classic events. From Whitefish, Montana and telemark racing since 1996, Peter McMahon ends his long skiing career. Due to academic obligations, Drew Hauser, the 2009 National Champion and 2009 Junior World Champion, and Erika Walters who had two first places finishes at the 2010 National Championships, are both retiring.
The Development team, created for competitors aged 17 and under, has four members from Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Elizabeth Klemer, Tanner Visnick, Rick Walters and Carolyn Walters. Nick Resignolo of Breckinridge, Colorado rounds out the Development team.
The US National team athletes will compete in regional, national and World Cup Telemark events this coming winter. USTSA is proud to host a World Cup Telemark race series this February in Colorado. Dates for regional races and the National Championships will be determined at a later date.