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Volume XIX No. 3 FEBRUARY 2019 World class skiers will race at Waterville Valley Resort in the White Mountain Dual Challenge WWWorld Pro Ski Tour event Feb. 7-10 features top pros

As the Tour travels from the West coast to the East coast, Waterville Valley is set to host the fastest pro ski racers for the second World Pro Ski Tour race in the 2019 season, February 8-10, 2019. This is the second year the World Pro Ski Tour will be at Waterville. The racers will compete for prize money and points towards the year- end overall Pro title. This is ski racing at its best – duel format head-to-head, not against the clock, with horse gates at the start, identical race courses, and two pro jumps that make the event exciting and fast paced. US Olympian Nolan Kasper of Warren, VT, is returning to defend his 2018 Tour title as former mem- ber of the US Ski Team on the 2018 USA Olympic Ski Team. Other top Pro Racers coming to Waterville will be Nolan Kasper, Michael Ankeny, Phil Brown, Kei Kullberg, Alex Tarberry and Rubie Brennan. Tucker Marshall of Redneck Rac- ing Team and 3rd year World Pro Lisa Mutz-Nelson Ski Tour racer says, “The World Pro Best at Beaver Creek: (from left) Alex Lever (3rd), Garrett Driller (1st), Phil Brown (2nd) and Michael Ankeny (4th). Ski Tour is such an awesome experi- ence for anyone passionate about the sport. Whether you are a full time athlete or a weekend warrior, you Garrett Driller claims first get the opportunity to race head to head, have a great time, and possibly win some serious cash with the big Pro victory at Beaver Creek prize purse.” The excitement from fans is a Beaver Creek, hosted the ing an awesome event with next level motivating factor for the athletes. fastest pro ski racers for the first Olympic and World Cup guys, keeps Spectators are encouraged and wel- race of the 2019 World Pro Ski Tour me stoked to race in future tours. come to participate in the pro tour season, February 1-2, 2019. The Tour is another outlet for ski events. Tito’s will host the Après and The steep course was held on racers to come to and it revives the After Dark parties where the fans lower Bear Trap, with warm tem- wallet for the rest of the season.” Knocking at the gates: Alex Lever can meet the racers. peratures and blue Colorado skies as Philip Brown from Toronto, (above) and defending champ Nolan Kasper. Lisa Mutz-Nelson photos. the racers prepared to charge for the Ontario won the Tito’s speed time top podium spot. award for fastest time in the quali- In its third season, the Pro Tour’s fier on Friday, with a time of 19.732. opener excited the spectators as Taylor Shiffrin, brother of USA’s former US Ski team member Garrett Mikaela, raced his first WPST run Driller out of took the #1 against former Olympian Nolan place finish and topped the podium Kasper but did not advance. Alex for his 1st World Pro Ski Tour vic- Leveer, a Vail local and favorite, fin- tory. Garrett Driller commented, ished 3rd overall. Michael Ankeny “Coming to the World Pro Ski Tour from Minnesota broke his Pro Tour as the youngest racer and rookie, run of consistent 3rd place finishes One-Two punch: Garrett Driller (left) walking away with a victory, and rac- with a 4th this weekend. and Phil Brown. Lisa Mutz-Nelson photo.

STARTING GATE 1 S T A F F

Hayden Scott Edwin A. Rogers ...... President Ed Rogers Kevin Clarke ...... Announcer, Vice President Ed is a legend in the skiing world A former England National Ski Barrett Stein ...... Events Director, Treasurer Team member and 3 x World Pow- John Jacobs ...... Chief of Course & Equipment, Director following his twenty-two year run Lisa Mutz-Nelson .. Race Admin., Photography, Director as the director of a regional pro der 8 Ski Champion, Hayden started Aimee Stein ...... Activation Specialist tour starting in 1976 that grew to eef4kproductions in the Vail Val- Kevin Kieley ...... Starter become the World Pro Ski Tour ley in the mid Matt Howard ...... Timer 1990’s. Since then Susan Jacobs ...... Merchandising until 1998. Ed has been working to Pam Fletcher ...... Reporter CBS Sports Network bring back the pro tour ever since Hayden has pro- Carl Schlick ...... Graphic Designer and is now the Chairman of the duced Ski TV Reliable GP Bonenfant ...... Sign Production Board of Directors of the WPST. around the world. Racings’s He resides in Bath, ME where he Notable projects John have included the Jacobs Special thanks to these volunteers: owns and operates JR Maxwell’s, a restaurant downtown. He is very Ski World Cups in Harry Ricker, Kevin Keiley, Mike Haggerty active in the local community, work- Beaver Creek and Lisa Mutz-Nelson Clare Peaslee, Connor Hogan ing to drive tourism and increase Killington, the American Ski Clas- John Jacobs and to the Vail Staff and everyone else who economic activity while still find- sic (for which he also brokered a John lives in Glens Falls, NY where makes these events possible. ing time to sail. multi-year title sponsorship deal with KORBEL Cham- he runs the world famous Reliable pagne) along with International Racing Supply, a company that was World Pro Ski Tour started by his parents in 1969. His 5 Old Sloop Lane Ed Rogers projects for BMW, Honda, Vail Re- Bath, Maine 04530 sorts, Western Union and other experience in pro tour skiing runs and TV back to the days of Bob Beattie’s sports- International corporations. tour and he stayed involved through For more information on the World Pro Ski Tour, caster A passionate sailor, Hayden has sponsorship, event or racer info please contact: Pam produced films for Ocean Reef Club the 1980’s and 90’s. John still enjoys skiing and sailing. Ed Rogers: 207-522-4026 Fletcher. and the Nevis Tourist board. [email protected] Lisa Mutz-Nelson Hayden’s eef4kproductions has Lisa Mutz-Nelson: 970-390-4800 aired on the world’s top networks Carl Schlick [email protected] Lisa Mutz-Nelson including NBC, CBS, ESPN and Maine native Carl Lisa Mutz-Nelson more. Hayden often worked with Schlick skied Sugarloaf The Starting Gate is a publication of World Pro Ski Tour traveled with the World Pro Skiing founder Bob mountain when there Copyright 2019 - All rights reserved. World Pro Ski Tour Beattie on a number of projects Printed at Alliance Press, Brunswick, Maine. were only three t-bars in the 1980s & 90s as and was thus selected to lead and serving the slopes and Ed the race administra- produce Bob’s memorial video ear- Rogers was just getting tor and photogra- lier this season in Aspen. Hayden started with his infamous Red Stal- pher. When Ed Rogers called her still lives in the Vail Valley, but lion Inn. As creative director, Carl to say he was “putting the band travels the world down the slopes has worked with Ed for 40 years, 20 back together” she jumped at the and on the water, having skied the of those with the pro skiing tours. opportunity. Lisa also works as the world’s top pistes and sailed most He enjoys playing drums in general manager for Falcon Point of the world oceans. BandCilantro. Resort in Avon, CO. Kevin Clarke Barrett Stein A native of Fryeburg, Maine, Kevin Barrett grew up ski racing at Buck www.worldproskitour.com works for Martignetti Companies, Hill in Minnesota and started his one of New England's leading li- coaching career there. He spent fif- worldproskitour quor distributors. He was a pro teen years in Telluride and Aspen as racer during the 1980s and went on a program director and race coordi- @worldproskitour to take a position as an announcer nator. He is passionate about the and sponsorship activation special- WPST dual format and is excited to ist on Ed Rogers' U.S. Pro Ski Tour help bring this event, which is geared From left: Kevin Clarke, pro racer @worldproskitour in the 1990's. Kevin enjoys skiing to spectators, back into ski racing. Nolan Kasper, Barrett Stein. in the winter and car racing of all Lisa Mutz-Nelson photo. Besides skiing Barrett loves to golf types in the summer. and ride anything with two wheels.

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Ed Rogers ...... President Bill Stratton ...... Director deals for Gold Medalists Bode Jeff Mehnan ...... Director Miller, Julia Mancuso and others Jon J. Franklin ...... Director Justin Burley ...... Director while putting global brands such Bill Despo ...... Secretary & General Counsel as Barilla Pasta, Rip It Energy Fuel, and Lacroix Spring Water into ski racing. Jon J. Franklin Even though he has held super- Jon Franklin visory roles at the Olympics, he is remembers most proud of helping to start the when Billy Kidd Water Ski World Cup and becom- won both the ing the TV voice of it in the late FIS and Pro 1990’s. More recently, based out of World Champi- Denver, Jon has been President onships the and CEO of multiple combat sports same year. Later, as Vice Presi- leagues including Glory Sports on dent of Winter Sports for IMG, he ESPN and has worked with Mike brought the Mahre twins back to Tyson and others in the boxing ski racing on the World Pro Ski world. Tour. While at IMG, Franklin was Bill Despo the agent for not only Kidd and the Mahres, but AJ Kitt, Bill Johnson, Bill Despo is general counsel for , Julie Parisien and the Tour. He has been a lawyer for other top ski stars. over 40 years and was a partner at Still on in the off-season: There’s always a lot to accomplish in the summer Along the way Franklin sold the a national law firm who concen- for the next World Pro Ski Tour season including the annual Board of title sponsorship of World Cup Ski- trated his practice on business law, Directors’ meeting at the Grey Havens Inn at Georgetown, Maine. ing to Cafe de Colombia and worked corporate, securities, governmen- in skiing with Rolex, VISA, Swatch tal investigations and complex busi- and other companies. Leaving IMG ness litigation. Bill is an avid skier after 15 years, Franklin later did having skied all his life and all over the world. 2 FEBRUARY 2019 BEAVER CREEK

Launch time: Two pros catch air off the bump at the Rocky Mountain Pro Ski Classic at Beaver Creek Resort.

Lisa Mutz-Nelson photo

FROM THE ARCHIVES Waterville Valley has a long history as pro host

The World Pro Ski Tour as it exists today started out as a re- gional tour named the Peugeot Grand Prix. Americans Cary Adgate (above) and Peter Dodge were the pros to beat as the Tour made its way to Waterville Val- ley in January of 1983.

STARTING GATE 3 S C H E D U L E a t W A T E R V I L L E V A L L E Y

FREE admission on the RACE HILL

Check your local listings for airtimes

OFFICIAL SPONSORS: FRIDAY - February 8, 2019 • 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Registration will be on the second floor of the Base Lodge in the Sun room • 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Racer Meeting (same room as Racer registration) • 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Tito’s and Meet and Greet Party at La Hacienda SATURDAY - February 9, 2019 • 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - VIP Sponsor Check-in at the Base Lodge • 10:00 a.m. - Inspection and Start Testing begins (athletes are allowed to test start and go on wrong side of first gate) • 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Tito’s Mountain Activation • 12:00 p.m. - Qualification start 1st run • 1:00 p.m. - Qualification start 2nd run • 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Skiing with Sponsors – Meet in finish area. • 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Tito’s après ski party at T-Bars (next to Base Lodge) • 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. - BBTS Fundraiser - Winter Fiesta La Hacienda Restaurant (purchase tickets to attend) • 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Tito’s After Dark at Mulligan’s SUNDAY – February 10, 2019 • 8:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. - VIP Sponsor Check-in at the Base Lodge • 9:30 a.m. - 10:300 a.m. - Course Inspection • 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Dual Super Slalom event • Finish Area Race Awards Ceremony Top 4 to follow immediately after the race • 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Tito’s Mountain Activation

Photo finish: The first racer thru the finish line starts the clock and the second racer stops it, giving a time differential for that run.

Lisa Mutz- Nelson photo

4 FEBRUARY 2019 SEASON SCHEDULE - 2019 WORLD PRO SKI TOUR ROCKY MOUNTAIN PRO SKI CLASSIC Beaver Creek, CO ...... Jan 31 - Feb 2 WHITE MOUNTAIN DUAL CHALLENGE Waterville Valley, NH .. Feb 7-10 www.worldproskitour.com

worldproskitour COLORADO CUP

@worldproskitour Steamboat, CO ...... Feb 28 - Mar 2

@worldproskitour MIDWEST PRO SKI CLASSIC (TENTATIVE) Buck Hill, MN ...... Mar 14 - 16 Check your local listings for airtimes MAINE PRO SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday River, ME ...... Mar 28 - 30

u n d e r s t a n d i n g FREE PRO SKIING’S FORMAT admission on the RACE HILL AIRTIME Walk to the race course Built into the from the base lodge or Watching the dual format of pro ski race course, stop by on your skis. These are some of the racing is easy and exciting. bumps launch world’s best ski racers– the pros the action is intense and The competition starts with the qualifying skyward -- viewing them close up an excellent gives a new appreciation runs, the only part of the event when racers spot for of their excellence. are timed from start to finish. The fastest spectators. pros qualify and then it’s on to the head-to-head competition. OFFICIALLY SPEAKING Timing building houses race Two racers blast out of dual starting announcer, TV commentators gates onto parallel courses, one red and race officials. and one blue. All the timing is at the finish line. The action continues down the ladder until only one TIMING IS EVERYTHING pro is left -- the champion! Races are won by thousandths of a second. The state-of-the-art timing system uses a light beam on each SCOREBOARD course. The first racer through the finish starts the clock and the second stops it. Starting with the qualifiers, the dual The margin of victory, called the time format builds excitement as the pro field differential, appears on electronic narrows through rounds of 16, 8 and the scoreboards in the finish area. The pair semi-finals. The hottest racing is often at of racers then return to the start and race the end when the best racers battle to be again, switching courses to equalize the champion. Updated continuously to any differences between the red and the show each racer's progress, the blue courses. The pro with the greater scoreboard is the site of the post-race time differential after two runs advances awards ceremonies. and meets a new opponent. Lisa Mutz-Nelson

STARTING GATE 5 Racer Standings & Race Results

Trying out the bar: Pro Tour fans sample the RXBar outside the baselodge at Beaver Creek.

Lisa Mutz-Nelson photo

6 FEBRUARY 2019 OFFthe PISTE Lisa Mutz-Nelson photos

Coyote tracks: Alex Leveer, Garrett Driller, Phil Long, Nolan Kasper and Michael Ankeny put the Slopeside: Orbitwear’s Colleen Stewart (left) competition behind them at The Coyote Tito’s party. and guest join retail staffer Susan Jacobs.

Ready at The Red Lion: The Tito’s ladies get geared up Power trio: TV host Mark for the after dark festivities. Sassi (left) and TV producer Hayden Scott (center) may have just gotten some sound advice from Wall Street lawyer Steve Tomlinson.

In good hands: The Tito’s girl takes time out with Reliable Racing’s John Jacobs (left) and World Pro Ski Tour Events Director Barrett Stein.

Pro-Active: Former pro racer Brenda Buglione, host of the TV show Ski Motion, teams up with Taylor Shiffrin, brother of Mikaela Shiffrin.

Seen at the scene: After winning the Rocky Mountain Pro Ski Classic at Beaver Creek, pro Garrett Driller takes time out with TV commentator Pam Fletcher.

STARTING GATE 7 8 FEBRUARY 2019