Allison Forsyth, one of the intrepid women Alpine skiers who “kept the link to excellence alive’ through tough times for Canadian skiing, made her retirement official yesterday. The 29-year-old native of Nanaimo, B.C., said in a telephone interview from Calgary yesterday that the knee injuries that cost her the past two seasons on the World Cup circuit have also cost her the Vancouver Olympics and, ultimately, her career.
Source: Globe Sports. For the full story, click here.

The tears started flowing even before Allison Forsyth stepped up to the microphone. “She’s been a trailblazer for women,” proclaimed teammate Emily Brydon, wiping an eye, “. . . an amazing team figure.” And with that, Forsyth took centre stage in the second media conference of her career. The first was in Torino, in 2006, after a crash in training resulted in a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.
Source: National Post. For the full story, click here.

This past week, the U.S. Ski Team took some time with alpine skiing’s rising stars. The National Development System (NDS) camp brought together the country’s top junior racers (ages 14 and up) at Mammoth Mountain in California for a week’s worth of training, conditioning and overall guidance. The system, which has been in place since 2002, allows future stars to learn from some of the top staff in the sport before they make it to the national team.
Source: Park Record. For the full story, click here.

If you long for winter park riding, unpack the snowboards and skis and head to Boyne Mountain for the DNA Evolution Tour Rail Jam on Sunday, June 15, a day will be filled with competitions, music and industry pros with gear on-hand. Winners will advance to nationals and compete for a pro contract.All participants must wear a helmet and be at least 18 years of age or have parents on-site. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. the day of the event at Boyne Mountain’s Boyne Country Sports store. For complete information and pricing, visit www.boyne.com.
Source: First Track. For the full story, click here.

Calling all Girls! Don’t miss this great opportunity to Water Ramp with Roxy!Come up to the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah this summer where you will transcend the boundaries between mountains and water with the raddest female coaching staff and the finest facilities in the country! This three-day camp, sponsored by Roxy, will allow you to learn general air sense, refine your current skills and add some new moves to your bag of tricks! Perfect your flips, spins, and grabs on water ramps and trampolines before taking them to the snow next winter. This camp is perfect for all ages and abilities. Come jump with these fun, daring girls and get ready to rip with the best.
Source: Free Skier. For the full story, click here.

Olympic-caliber ski and snowboard competitions will hit five of America’s prestigious mountain communities when the annual International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup circuit swings through the United States during the 2008-09 winter season, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association announced. The worldwide schedules were approved by the FIS Congress Friday at its meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.
Source: First Track. For the full story, click here.

For the fifth year in a row, Beaver Creek is scheduled to hold four World Cup races. At last week’s International Ski Federation Congress, the governing body confirmed the 2008 World Cup schedule, which includes a full slate of racing on the Birds of Prey, from Dec. 4-7. “For the past couple years, the initial calendar has come out we’ve only had three races,” said John Dakin, vice president of communications for the Vail Valley Foundation, which puts on the races. “It always tends to be a bit of a fight each year because all of the other countries want more races.”
Source: Vail Daily. For the full story, click here.

The world’s best freestyle skiers will compete in Utah again next winter when the World Cup circuit stops at Deer Valley Resort and the Park City Mountain Resort. The Visa Freestyle International - the fourth of five U.S. stops on the international circuit - will be Jan. 29-31 at the two resorts, the International Ski Federation announced. ”Each of the venues has a tradition of hosting great athletic competitions and all are marquee and proven stops,” U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association vice president of events Calum Clark said. “The mountains have some of the best terrain in the world and also provide an incredible fan experience.”
Source: The Salt Lake Tribune. For the full story, click here.

Aspen and Beaver Creek were among five American mountain communities to win tour stops on the 2008-09 World Cup circuit, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association announced today. Aspen will host a women’s event, Aspen Winternationals, over Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 28-29), and Beaver Creek will be the site of the Birds of Prey men’s event Dec. 4-7.
Source: Rocky Mountain News. For the full story, click here.

I’m prone on a snowy mountainside, pinned to the ground by a gusting 130km/h wind. Fierce chips of wind-driven ice are battering the bit of my face that has somehow escaped the coverage of a beanie, neck-warmer and goggles.
Source: Adelaide Now. For the full story, click here.