USTSA Regional Team Named for 2014 Season
Thirteen racers from across the country have been named to the 2014 Regional Telemark Team. The intent of the Regional Team is to recognize athletes that have demonstrated a commitment to the sport of telemark racing and continue to improve their skills. Some Regional Team members will have a long term goal of being selected as a member of the USTSA A, B or Development Team. Other Regional Team members may be retired National Team Members that want to stay involved in the sport or members who exhibit a passion for the sport and have a desire to be an ambassador for USTSA and telemark racing.
Over the last two years, there has been an increased number of races and clinics in the eastern region and this has resulted in the discovery of passionate telemark skiers and racers in the area. This is reflected by the selection of 9 Regional Team members from the east.
The Regional Team women are led by Kelsey Schmid-Sommer of Whitefish, MT. Kelsey was a 5 time US National Champion who retired several years ago to begin her family and returns as a Regional Team member to help promote the sport. Julie Brown from Perkinsville, VT joins the team for her second season and Tabi Freeman from NY,NY joins the team after racing at the National Championships the last two seasons.
Larry Bosche of Berkeley, CA and Scott Edgerton of Missoula, MT accepted positions on the Regional Team for their fourth consecutive season. They are joined by brothers Jody and Norm Miller of Buffalo and Rochester, NY, respectively. The Millers began skiing during their childhood on Sunday afternoon family outings on skinny nordic skis and now enjoy their telemark gear for the backcountry and on the ski hill. Also from New York is Bill Pammer of Bethel who joins the team for his second season.
New Hampshire is represented by Nathan Fogell of Allenstown and Steve Weglarz of Durham. Nathan is a relative newcomer to the sport, while Steve, who is the father of B Team member Dylan, has been telemarking for years and is a PSIA instructor in Waterville Valley.
Rounding out the team are PSIA instructor Keith Rodney of Mount Snow, VT, Tim Lukens of Barrington, RI and Chip Dorroh of Cascade, ID.
Each of these team members have interesting backgrounds that have brought them to become Telemark skiers and racers. Read each of their biographies at www.ustsa.org.