United States Ski Team Explained

The U.S. Ski Team, operating under the auspices of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, develops and supports men's and women's athletes in the sports of alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, cross-country, ski jumping, and Nordic combined. Since 1974 the team and association have been headquartered in Park City, Utah.[1]

These individuals represent the best athletes in the country for their respective sports and compete as a team at the national, world and Olympic level.

History

1860s–1880s early ski clubs and ski tournaments in the U.S.

Ski clubs appeared in the United States starting in 1861, in California.[2] [3] Norwegian "snowshoe" downhill races are noted in Sierra[4] and Rocky Mountain[5] [6] mining camps. The Nansen Ski Club of Berlin, New Hampshire, founded in 1872 by Norwegian immigrants and named in honor of Norway's legendary Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen,[7] remains active. Annual ski jumping tournaments began in Great Lakes mining and timber regions.[8] [9] The Saint Paul Winter Carnival included skiing events starting in 1888.

1891–1893 Central Ski Association of the Northwest tournaments

A regional ski association was formed in 1891 by the Eau Claire (Dovre), Ishpeming (Norden), Stillwater (Norwegian), Red Wing (Aurora), and Minneapolis clubs, but dissolved after an economic downturn and a couple low snow winters. [10]

1905 National Ski Association

The National Ski Association of America, the forerunner of the present-day U.S. Ski & Snowboard, was founded on Feb. 21, 1905 in Ishpeming, Michigan. Club President Carl Tellefsen proposed holding a meeting after the 1905 jumping tournament – a national competition – to found a ski association which, among other duties, would oversee jumping tournaments. In 1905, the association was formally organized during a meeting attended by officers from the Ishpeming, Minneapolis, Red Wing, Stillwater and Eau Claire ski clubs. On Feb. 21, 1905, Carl Tellefsen announced the National Ski Association of America with himself as its first president.

1910 International Ski Commission

In 1910, the International Ski Commission was formed at the first International Ski Congress to develop rules for international ski competitions. On Feb. 2, 1924 in Chamonix, France, while what would come to be recognized as the first Winter Olympic Games were being held, the commission gave way to the International Ski Federation (FIS); 14 member nations were present at the founding; 108 are FIS members today.

1924 inaugural Olympic Winter Games at Chamonix, France

The first Winter Olympic Games actually were under the banner of International Sports Week, but were renamed the Winter Olympic Games in 1924 after organizers saw how successful they were (and after Norway, which had opposed "Winter Olympic" events because of concern Norwegians wouldn't dominate, saw it would be a winter power) supported the concept. Only Nordic skiing events were held, including cross country, ski jumping (then the premier ski event everywhere) and Nordic combined. Sixteen nations competed.

Anders Haugen, a Norwegian immigrant to the United States, was listed as fourth in ski jumping because of a calculation error. In 1974, as Norwegians prepared to celebrate the 50th anniversary of those first Winter Games, a recalculation in Oslo found Haugen was the real bronze medalist and not Thorleif Haug (1894–1934). A medal presentation was arranged in Oslo, where a frail Haugen received the bronze medal from the daughter of Thorleif Haug, who had been dead since the Thirties. Haugen's medal remains the only jumping medal won by an American in the Olympics or World Championships. Originally, the IOC did not recognize the medal exchange and kept Haug listed as its 1924 bronze medalist for years before recognizing Haugen as the legitimate medal-winner.[11]

First FIS World Championships: Nordic (1925) and alpine (1931)

International competitive skiing was still primarily a European sport in the Twenties. Although the United States participated in the Winter Olympics of 1924, '28 and '32 - where there were only Nordic events, there was no U.S. Ski Team.

1932 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid, New York

The 1932 Summer Games were headed to Los Angeles, and Godfrey Dewey – whose father had founded the Lake Placid Club – championed Lake Placid over a half-dozen other candidates for the Winter Games (including Denver; Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota; Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, California; and Bear Mountain, New York). Then-Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt pledged to build a bobsled run and Dewey, who had arranged a posting as manager of the 1928 Olympic Ski Team, parlayed those contacts to land the 1932 Winter Olympics for the small Adirondacks village. Some 300 athletes from 17 nations competed. Skiing was still limited to Nordic events; top US skier was another jumper, Casper Oimoen, who finished fifth.

1935 U.S. sends first alpine team to FIS World Championships

The championships returned to Mürren, Switzerland, site of the first official alpine championships in 1931. Six men, seven women were on that first U.S. squad at Worlds.

1936 Alpine added to Olympic Winter Games at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Alpine skiing was introduced to the Olympics with a single event, the combined (one downhill run and two slalom runs). While Nordic remained an all-male province, alpine was opened to men and women. Germans took gold and silver in both the men's and women's alpine combined events; Franz Pfnür and Christl Cranz were the new champions; Dick Durrance, who grew up in Florida but spent several years in Germany learning to ski before Adolf Hitler took power, was the runaway best U.S. skier, finishing 10th.

For the only time, the FIS authorized a World Championships in addition to the Olympics with alpine championship races held in Innsbruck, Austria.

1948 Olympics return with first U.S. alpine medals at St. Moritz, Switzerland

The Olympics (with Germany and Japan barred from competing) returned after a 12-year hiatus, with American Gretchen Fraser (then of Vancouver, WA, later of Sun Valley, ID) winning the first two U.S. Olympic ski medals – and they came on the same day, Feb. 5; the combined downhill had been run the previous day and when she won the slalom, it gave her second place in the combined calculation. In addition to the combined, which debuted in 1936, alpine added both elements of combined as individual events, meaning alpine was now equal with Nordic, having three events (slalom, downhill and the combined; however, there were no women's Nordic events until 1952). Fraser led U.S. skiers, collecting the first medals by a U.S. skier - gold in slalom and silver in combined. The U.S. women's team captain, Dodie Post, broke her ankle in a practice session and was unable to compete. The team also included a talented young teen – Andrea Mead, 15, whose parents owned Pico Peak, near Rutland, VT. Also of note, Gordon Wren (Steamboat Springs, CO) qualified for all four individual ski teams. He eventually competed only in jumping. "I was going ragged, bumping into myself, trying to train, ski alpine, cross country and the rest, so I decided to focus on jumping," he explained. He finished fifth.

1950 World Championships in U.S.: Lake Placid, NY (Nordic) and Aspen, CO (alpine)

Poor snow in the Adirondacks almost forced cancellation of the Nordic events, but, alerted by 1948 Olympic cross country racer Chummy Broomhall that there was more than a foot of snow in his hometown of Rumford, Maine, officials agreed to stage opening ceremonies and the jumping events in Lake Placid, then everyone drove to Rumford for the cross country competitions. At one point, Broomhall helped set the race tracks – no machine-setting equipment in those days, so skiers would ski-in the tracks – and then went home to change into his racing outfit; traffic at the site meant Broomhall missed his scheduled start time, but officials let him run at the end of the pack.

The alpine Worlds, organized by Dick Durrance, then general manager at the fledgling Aspen Ski Area, included slalom, downhill, and the first appearance of giant slalom. American Katy Rodolph of Colorado led the US, finishing fifth in the women's downhill. Aspen was established as an alpine destination as a result of the successful World Championships.

1960 Olympics return to U.S. at Olympic Valley, CA

The young Squaw Valley resort near Lake Tahoe in California ushered in a new Olympic era under the direction of Alexander Cushing. No bobsled run was built. In cross country, Squaw Valley introduced the initial machine-set tracks; everything had been walked or skied in before Squaw Valley but – with Al Merrill and Chummy Broomhall setting the tone as chief of competition and chief of course, respectively – snow machines were used to help groom Nordic courses for the first time.

1962 NSA renamed U.S. Ski Association (USSA)

The 57-year-old National Ski Association got a new name as the U.S. Ski Association. The renamed organization moved from Denver to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Also, the U.S. Ski Education Foundation, designed to "Establish, administer and promote educational programs devoted to the development and training of skiers" and promote ski museums, was founded Oct. 8, 1862 (and chartered June 13, 1964). By enabling donors to receive tax deductions for contributions, it would become the fundraising arm of the U.S. Ski Team, the forerunner of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation.

1964 U.S. alpine men earn first Olympic medals at Innsbruck, Austria

The Olympics came to Austria for the first time in 1964. U.S. men earned their first medals Feb. 8 as Billy Kidd (Stowe, VT) won silver in slalom and Jimmie Heuga (Tahoe City, CA) took slalom bronze. Jean Saubert (Hillsborough, OR) was a double medalist, tying for silver in giant slalom and collecting bronze in slalom.

1965 Bob Beattie named U.S. Ski Team alpine head coach

In 1965, the USSA took the first steps in the formation of a formal U.S. Ski Team by naming its first head alpine coach. At the annual USSA convention on June 21 in Spokane, Bob Beattie was named the first full-time U.S. alpine skiing head coach.[12] "When you think you're going too fast--accelerate!" he would goad team members. Chuck Ferries, a 1964 Olympian, was named assistant coach, with primary responsibilities as head coach of the women's alpine team. Ferries took leave from his job with Head Ski Co. to coach, and was named full-time women's coach in 1966. No full-time Nordic jumping or skiing coaches were yet designated.

1973 National Training Centers created

National Training Centers[13] were created for both national alpine and Nordic teams. It was opened Oct. 28 in three old, mid-mountain, mining buildings at Park City Ski Area (now Park City Mountain Resort). Former Alpine Director Willy Schaeffler was the center's director.

1974 U.S. Ski Team moves to Park City, UT

In the summer of 1974 the alpine portion of the U.S. Ski Team relocated from USSA's Denver office to Park City, Utah. The athletes and coaches began utilizing the Alpine Training Center, a building designed by Willy Schaeffler, that opened in old mining buildings at Park City Ski Area. Administrative offices were set up in the old Mountain Air Grocery on lower Main Street.

1976 USSA and U.S. Ski Team split

In 1976 the USSA and the U.S. Ski Team agreed to part ways. The USSA continued to control the rules and governance of the sport, as well as organizing travel programs for recreational skiers, while the U.S. Ski Team focused solely on the elite national team.

1988 USSA and U.S. Ski Team rejoin

After years of operating separately, the USSA and U.S. Ski Team were merged once again in the Summer of 1998 under the direction of Thomas Weisel. Weisel proposed the creation of a 'super-board' consisting of 15 people representing the leadership of both organizations. USSA CEO Howard Peterson was selected to lead the new organization and the USSA moved its national offices from Colorado Springs to join the U.S. Ski Team in Park City, UT, establishing its headquarters at its present location on 1500 Kearns Blvd.[14]

2007 Center of Excellence groundbreaking

The USSA broke ground on the Center of Excellence on July 18, 2007. Upon opening in 2009, the Center of Excellence housed athletic facilities including strength-training areas, a gymnasium, a climbing wall, ski and snowboard ramps, trampolines, a nutrition center and rehabilitation facilities.[15] Additionally, educational areas for athletes, coaches and clubs such as a computer lab, multimedia rooms for performance analysis and equipment workshops are available. All of the educational resources are shared with the USSA's 400 clubs around the country.

Making the U.S. Ski Team

Interested young athletes generally begin competing through one of 425 local U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association clubs located in communities around the country, generally at ski and snowboard resorts. Clubs provide introductory education and training, as well as competition programs.

Each U.S. Ski Team sport is also organized at a regional and divisional level, with slight variances by sport. Alpine skiing, for example, is organized in three regions: Eastern, Rocky/Central and Western. Within those regions are divisions including Northern, Eastern, Southern, Central, Rocky Mountain, Intermountain, Far West and Alaska. In some areas, such as New England, there are also state-based organizations.

Competition programs are held within each region or division leading up to national and international events. From these competitions, athletes earn points and are ranked nationally with the highest ranking athletes earning nominations to join the US national teams, which compete at the World Cup level.

Ski & snowboard is one of the only Olympic sports in the United States to support a full-time standing national team in every sport. Teams are nominated each spring or summer based on results. Teams for FIS World Championships (held every odd year) and Olympic Winter Games (held every four years) are selected by specific criteria and named for those individual events.

Alpine highlights

Olympic Winter Games

YearLocationAthletesMedals
1948Gretchen FraserGold, slalom; silver, combined
1952 Oslo, NorwayAndrea Mead LawrenceGold, slalom; gold, giant slalom
1960 Squaw Valley, California, USAPenny Pitou
Betsy Snite
Silver, downhill; silver, giant slalom
Silver, slalom
1964 Innsbruck, AustriaJimmy Heuga
Billy Kidd
Jean Saubert
Bronze, slalom
Silver, slalom; bronze, combined
Silver, giant slalom (tie); bronze, slalom
1972 Sapporo, JapanBarbara Cochran
Susie Corrock
Gold, slalom
Bronze, downhill
1976 Innsbruck, AustriaGreg Jones
Cindy Nelson
Bronze, combined
Bronze, downhill
1980 Lake Placid, New York, USAPhil Mahre
Cindy Nelson
Gold, combined (unofficial Olympic event); silver, slalom
Silver, combined
1984 Sarajevo, YugoslaviaDebbie Armstrong
Christin Cooper
Bill Johnson
Phil Mahre
Steve Mahre
Gold, giant slalom
Silver, giant slalom
Gold, downhill
Gold, slalom
Silver, slalom
1992 Albertville, FranceHilary Lindh
Diann Roffe
Silver, downhill
Silver, giant slalom
1994 Lillehammer, NorwayTommy Moe
Diann Roffe-Steinrotter
Picabo Street
Gold, downhill; silver, super G
Gold, super G
Silver, downhill
1998 Nagano, JapanPicabo StreetGold, super G
2002 Salt Lake City, Utah, USABode MillerSilver, combined; silver, giant slalom
2006 Torino, ItalyJulia Mancuso
Ted Ligety
Gold, giant slalom
Gold, combined
2010 Vancouver, CanadaLindsey Vonn
Julia Mancuso
Bode Miller
Andrew Weibrecht
Gold, downhill; bronze, super-G
Silver, downhill; silver, super combined
Gold, super combined; Silver, super G; bronze, downhill
Bronze, super-G
2014 Sochi, RussiaMikaela Shiffrin
Ted Ligety
Andrew Weibrecht
Bode Miller
Julia Mancuso
Gold, slalom
Gold, giant slalom
Silver, super G
Bronze, super G;
Bronze, super-G
2018 Pyeongchang, South KoreaMikaela Shiffrin
Lindsey Vonn
Gold, giant slalom; Silver, super combined
Bronze, downhill
2022 Beijing, ChinaRyan Cochran-SiegleSilver, super G

Alpine World Championships

YearLocationAthletesMedals
1954Jannette BurrBronze, giant slalom
1958 Bad Gastein, AustriaSally DeaverSilver, giant slalom
1962 Chamonix, FranceBarbara Ferries
Joan Hannah
Bronze, downhill
Bronze, giant slalom
1966 Portillo, ChilePenny McCoyBronze, slalom
1970 Val Gardena, ItalyBilly Kidd
Barbara Cochran
Marilyn Cochran
Gold, combined; bronze, slalom
Silver, slalom
Bronze, combined
1978 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, West GermanyPete PattersonBronze, combined
1982 Schladming, AustriaChristin Cooper
Steve Mahre
Cindy Nelson
Silver, slalom; silver, giant slalom; bronze, combined
Gold, giant slalom
Silver, downhill
1985 Bormio, ItalyDoug Lewis
Diann Roffe
Tamara McKinney
Eva Twardokens
Bronze, downhill
Gold, giant slalom
Bronze, giant slalom
Bronze, combined
1987 Crans-Montana, SwitzerlandTamara McKinneyBronze, combined
1989 Vail, Colorado, USATamara McKinneyGold, combined; bronze, slalom
1993 Morioka, JapanAJ Kitt
Julie Parisien
Picabo Street
Bronze, downhill
Silver, slalom
Silver, combined
1996 Sierra Nevada, SpainHilary Lindh
Picabo Street
Bronze, downhill
Gold, downhill; bronze, super G
1997 Sestriere, ItalyHilary LindhGold, downhill
St. Anton, AustriaDaron RahlvesGold, super G
St. Moritz, SwitzerlandKirsten Clark
Jonna Mendes
Bode Miller
Erik Schlopy
Silver, super G
Bronze, super G
Gold, giant slalom; gold, combined; silver, super G
Bronze, giant slalom
2005 Bormio/Santa Caterina, ItalyJulia Mancuso
Bode Miller
Daron Rahlves
Bronze, super G; bronze, giant slalom
Gold, downhill; gold, super G
Silver, downhill; Bronze, giant slalom
2007 Åre, SwedenLindsey Kildow
Julia Mancuso
Silver, downhill; silver, super G
Silver, super combined
2009 Val d'Isère, FranceLindsey Vonn
Ted Ligety
Gold, downhill; Gold, super G
Bronze, giant slalom
2011 Soelden, AustriaLindsey Vonn
Ted Ligety
Julia Mancuso
Silver, downhill
Gold, giant slalom
Silver, super G
2013 Schladming, AustriaMikaela Shiffrin
Ted Ligety
Julia Mancuso
Gold, slalom
Gold, giant slalom; gold, super combined; gold, super G
Bronze, super G
2015 Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado, USAMikaela Shiffrin
Ted Ligety
Travis Ganong
Lindsey Vonn
Gold, slalom
Gold, giant slalom; bronze, super combined
Silver, downhill
Bronze, super G
2017 Sankt Moritz, SwitzerlandMikaela Shiffrin
Lindsey Vonn
Gold, slalom; silver, giant slalom
Bronze, downhill
2019 Åre, SwedenMikaela Shiffrin
Lindsey Vonn
Gold, slalom; gold, super G
Bronze, downhill
2021 Cortina d'Ampezzo, ItalyMikaela ShiffrinGold, combined; silver, giant slalom; bronze, slalom bronze, super G

Alpine World Cup

YearAthletesTitles
1969Marilyn CochranGiant slalom champion
19782nd in overall
1979Phil Mahre3rd in overall
1980Phil Mahre3rd in overall
1981Phil Mahre
Tamara McKinney
Overall champion
Giant slalom champion
1982Christin Cooper
Phil Mahre
Steve Mahre
3rd in overall
Overall, slalom, & giant slalom champion
3rd in overall
1983Tamara McKinney
Phil Mahre
Overall & giant slalom champion
Overall & giant slalom champion
1984Tamara McKinney3rd in overall, slalom champion
1995Picabo StreetDownhill champion
1996Picabo StreetDownhill champion
2003Bode MillerCombined champion, 2nd in overall
2004Bode MillerGiant slalom & combined champion
2005Bode MillerOverall & super-G champion
2006Bode Miller3rd in overall
2007Julia Mancuso
Bode Miller
3rd in overall
Super G champion
2008Lindsey Vonn
Ted Ligety
Bode Miller
Overall & Downhill champion
Giant slalom champion
Overall & Super Combined champion
2009Lindsey VonnOverall, Downhill, & Super G champion,
2010Lindsey Vonn
Ted Ligety
Overall, Downhill, Super G, & Combined champion
Giant slalom champion
2011Lindsey Vonn
Ted Ligety
Downhill, Super G, & Combined champion
Giant slalom champion
2012Lindsey VonnOverall, Downhill, Super G, & Combined champion,
2013Lindsey Vonn
Ted Ligety
Mikaela Shiffrin
Downhill champion
Giant slalom champion, 3rd in overall
Slalom champion
2014Ted Ligety
Mikaela Shiffrin
Giant slalom champion
Slalom champion
2015Mikaela Shiffrin
Lindsey Vonn
Slalom champion
Downhill, & Super G champion, 3rd in overall
2016Lindsey VonnDownhill champion, 2nd in overall
2017Mikaela ShiffrinOverall & Slalom champion
2018Mikaela ShiffrinOverall & Slalom champion
2019Mikaela ShiffrinOverall, Super-G, giant slalom & Slalom champion
2022Mikaela ShiffrinOverall

Alpine National Championship

United States Alpine Ski Championships

Freestyle highlights

Olympic Winter Games

EventPlaceAthleteHighlights
1988 Olympic Games (non-medal exhibition event) Calgary, CanadaMelanie PalenikGold Aerials (demonstration event)
1988 Olympic Games (non-medal exhibition event) Calgary, CanadaJan BucherSilver Ballet (demonstration event)
1988 Olympic Games (non-medal exhibition event) Calgary, CanadaLane SpinaSilver Ballet (demonstration event)
1992 Olympic Games Albertville, FranceDonna WeinbrechtGold Moguls
1992 Olympic Games Albertville, FranceNelson CarmichaelBronze Moguls
1992 Olympic Games Albertville, FranceLane SpinaBronze Ballet (demonstration event)
1992 Olympic Games Albertville, FranceSharon PetzoldBronze Ballet (demonstration event)
1994 Olympic Games Lillehammer, NorwayLiz McIntyreSilver Moguls
1998 Olympic Games Nagano, JapanEric BergoustGold Aerials
1998 Olympic Games Nagano, JapanNikki StoneGold Aerials
1998 Olympic Games Nagano, JapanJonny MoseleyGold Moguls
2002 Olympic Games Salt Lake City, UtahJoe PackSilver Aerials
2002 Olympic Games Salt Lake City, UtahTravis MayerSilver Moguls
2002 Olympic Games Salt Lake City, UtahShannon BahrkeSilver Moguls
2006 Olympic Games Torino, ItalyToby DawsonBronze Moguls
2010 Olympic Games Vancouver, CanadaHannah KearneyGold Moguls
2010 Olympic Games Vancouver, CanadaBryon WilsonBronze Moguls
2010 Olympic Games Vancouver, CanadaShannon BahrkeBronze Moguls
2014 Olympic Games Sochi, RussiaDavid WiseGold Halfpipe
2014 Olympic Games Sochi, RussiaMaddie BowmanGold Halfpipe
2014 Olympic Games Sochi, RussiaJoss ChristensenGold Slopestyle
2014 Olympic Games Sochi, RussiaGus KenworthySilver Slopestyle
2014 Olympic Games Sochi, RussiaDevin LoganSilver Slopestyle
2014 Olympic Games Sochi, RussiaNick GoepperBronze Slopestyle
2014 Olympic Games Sochi, RussiaHannah KearneyBronze Moguls

World freestyle championships

EventPlaceAthleteHighlights
1986 World Championships Tignes, FranceMary Jo TiampoGold Moguls
1986 World Championships Tignes, FranceMaria QuintanaGold Aerials
1986 World Championships Tignes, FranceJan BucherGold Ballet
1986 World Championships Tignes, FranceLane SpinaSilver - Acrobatic Skiing
1986 World Championships Tignes, FranceJohn WittSilver Combined
1986 World Championships Tignes, FranceHayley WolffSilver Moguls
1989 World Championships Oberjoch, West GermanyJan BucherGold Ballet
1989 World Championships Oberjoch, West GermanyMelanie PalenikGold Combined, Bronze Aerials
1989 World Championships Oberjoch, West GermanyScott OgrenSilver Combined
1989 World Championships Oberjoch, West GermanyDonna WeinbrechtSilver Moguls
1991 World Championships Lake Placid, New YorkLane SpinaGold - Acrobatic Skiing
1991 World Championships Lake Placid, New YorkEllen BreenGold Ballet
1991 World Championships Lake Placid, New YorkDonna WeinbrechtGold Moguls
1991 World Championships Lake Placid, New YorkJan BucherSilver Ballet
1991 World Championships Lake Placid, New YorkChuck MartinBronze Moguls
1991 World Championships Lake Placid, New YorkDave ValentiBronze Aerials
1991 World Championships Lake Placid, New YorkKriste PorterBronze Combined
1993 World Championships Altenmarkt, AustriaEllen BreenGold Ballet
1993 World Championships Altenmarkt, AustriaTrace WorthingtonSilver Aerials
1993 World Championships Altenmarkt, AustriaLane SpinaBronze - Acrobatic Skiing
1993 World Championships Altenmarkt, AustriaKriste PorterBronze Aerials, Bronze Combined
1995 World Championships LaClusaz, FranceTrace WorthingtonGold Aerials, Gold Combined
1995 World Championships LaClusaz, FranceNikki StoneGold Aerials
1995 World Championships LaClusaz, FranceKriste PorterGold Combined
1995 World Championships LaClusaz, FranceEllen BreenSilver Ballet
1995 World Championships LaClusaz, FranceJonny MoseleyBronze Combined
1997 World Championships Nagano, JapanEric BergoustSilver Aerials
1997 World Championships Nagano, JapanIan EdmondsonSilver Acro
1997 World Championships Nagano, JapanDonna WeinbrechtSilver Moguls
1999 World Championships Meiringen, SwitzerlandAnn BattelleGold Moguls, Bronze Dual Moguls
1999 World Championships Meiringen, SwitzerlandIan EdmondsonGold Acro
1999 World Championships Meiringen, SwitzerlandEric BergoustGold Aerials
1999 World Championships Meiringen, SwitzerlandJoe PackBronze Aerials
1999 World Championships Meiringen, SwitzerlandNikki StoneBronze Aerials
2001 World Championships Whistler, CanadaJoe PackBronze Aerials
2003 World Championships Deer Valley, UtahJeremy BloomGold Dual Moguls, Silver Moguls
2003 World Championships Deer Valley, UtahMichelle RoarkSilver Moguls
2003 World Championships Deer Valley, UtahToby DawsonBronze Moguls, Bronze Dual Moguls
2003 World Championships Deer Valley, UtahShannon BahrkeBronze Dual Moguls
2005 World Championships Ruka, FinlandNate RobertsGold Moguls
2005 World Championships Ruka, FinlandHannah KearneyGold Moguls
2005 World Championships Ruka, FinlandToby DawsonGold Dual Moguls
2005 World Championships Ruka, FinlandKristi LeskinenSilver Halfpipe
2005 World Championships Ruka, FinlandJeremy BloomBronze Dual Moguls
2007 World Championships Madonna di Campiglio, ItalyShannon BahrkeSilver Dual Moguls
2007 World Championships Madonna di Campiglio, ItalyNate RobertsBronze Moguls
2009 World Championships Inawashiro, JapanPatrick DeneenGold Moguls
2009 World Championships Inawashiro, JapanRyan St OngeGold Aerials
2009 World Championships Inawashiro, JapanJen HudakBronze Halfpipe
2009 World Championships Inawashiro, JapanHannah KearneyBronze Dual Moguls
2011 World Championships Park City, UtahAlex SchlopyGold Slopestyle
2011 World Championships Park City, UtahHannah KearneySilver Moguls, Bronze Dual Moguls
2011 World Championships Park City, UtahJen HudakSilver Halfpipe
2011 World Championships Park City, UtahSam CarlsonSilver Slopestyle
2011 World Championships Park City, UtahSimon DumontBronze Halfpipe
2011 World Championships Park City, UtahKeri HermanBronze Slopestyle
2013 World Championships Voss, NorwayHannah KearneyGold Moguls, Bronze Dual Moguls
2013 World Championships Voss, NorwayDavid WiseGold Halfpipe
2013 World Championships Voss, NorwayTom WallischGold Slopestyle
2013 World Championships Voss, NorwayTorin Yater-WallaceSilver Halfpipe
2013 World Championships Voss, NorwayPatrick DeneenBronze Moguls, Bronze Dual Moguls
2013 World Championships Voss, NorwayNick GoepperBronze Slopestyle
2013 World Championships Voss, NorwayGrete EliassenBronze Slopestyle
2013 World Championships Voss, NorwayJohn TellerBronze Ski Cross
2015 World Championships KreischbergHannah KearneySilver Moguls
2015 World Championships KreischbergHannah KearneyGold Dual Moguls
2015 World Championships KreischbergAlex BowenSilver Aerials
2015 World Championships KreischbergKiley McKinnonSilver Aerials
2017 World Championships Sierra NevadaJonathon LillisGold Aerials
2017 World Championships Sierra NevadaAshley CaldwellGold Aerials
2017 World Championships Sierra NevadaBradley WilsonSilver Dual Moguls
2017 World Championships Sierra NevadaJaelin KaufBronze Dual Moguls

Freestyle World Cup

YearAthleteHighlights
1978Marion PostBallet Champion
1978Kerri BallardAerials Champion
1978Genia FullerGrand Prix Champion
1979Bob HowardBallet Champion
1979Jan BucherBallet Champion
1979Lea HillgrenAerials Champion
1980Bob HowardBallet Champion
1980Jan BucherBallet Champion
1980Hayley WolffMoguls Champion
1981Bob HowardBallet Champion
1981Frank BeddorGrand Prix Champion
1981Jan BucherBallet Champion
1981Hayley WolffMoguls Champion
1982Ian EdmondsonBallet Champion
1982Frank BeddorGrand Prix Champion
1982Jan BucherBallet Champion
1982Hayley WolffMoguls Champion
1983Jan BucherBallet Champion
1983Hayley WolffMoguls Champion
1984Jan BucherBallet Champion
1984Hilary EngischMoguls Champion
1985Mary Jo TiampoMoguls Champion
1986Steve DesovichMoguls Champion
1986Jan BucherBallet Champion
1986Mary Jo TiampoMoguls Champion
1988Nelson CarmichaelMoguls Champion
1989Nelson CarmichaelMoguls Champion
1989Jan BucherBallet Champion
1990Donna WeinbrechtMoguls Champion
1991Donna WeinbrechtMoguls Champion
1992Trace WorthingtonCombined Champion
1992Donna WeinbrechtMoguls Champion
1993Trace WorthingtonCombined Champion
1993Ellen BreenBallet Champion
1994Ellen BreenBallet Champion
1994Donna WeinbrechtMoguls Champion
1995Trace WorthingtonAerials Champion, Combined Champion
1995Ellen BreenBallet Champion
1995Nikki StoneAerials Champion
1996Jonny MoseleyCombined Champion
1996Donna WeinbrechtMoguls Champion
1998Jonny MoseleyMoguls Champion
1998Nikki StoneAerials Champion
1999Anne BattelleMoguls Champion
1999Michelle RoarkDual Moguls Champion
2000Anne BattelleMoguls Champion
2001Eric BergoustAerials Champion, 2nd overall standings
2001Joe Pack3rd overall standings
2002Jeremy BloomMoguls Champion
2002Eric BergoustAerials Champion
2003Travis CabralMoguls Champion
2003Shannon BahrkeMoguls Champion
2005Jeremy BloomOverall Champion, Moguls Champion
2005Jeret PetersonAerials Champion
2007Jeret Peterson3rd overall standings
2007Jessica CummingHalfpipe Champion
2009Hannah KearneyMoguls Champion
2011Hannah KearneyOverall Champion, Moguls Champion
2012Hannah KearneyOverall Champion, Moguls Champion
2012David WiseHalfpipe Champion
2012Brita SigourneyHalfpipe Champion
2013Hannah KearneyMoguls Champion
2013Keri HermanSlopestyle Champion
2014Hannah KearneyOverall Champion, Moguls Champion
2014Devin LoganHalfpipe Champion

Cross-country highlights

Olympic Winter Games

EventPlaceAthleteHighlights
1976 Olympic Games Innsbruck, AustriaBill KochSilver 30 km
2002 Olympic Games Salt Lake City, UtahJohn Bauer, Kris Freeman, Justin Wadsworth, Carl Swenson5th 4x10km Relay – Historic best US Olympic relay finish
2006 Olympic Games Turin, ItalyKikkan Randall9th 1.1 km Classic Sprint – Historic Best US Women's Olympic or World Championships Sprint Result
2018 Olympic Games Pyeongchang, South KoreaKikkan Randall, Jessie DigginsGold Team Sprint Relay – First Medal for US Women's Cross Country and First US Gold Medal in Cross Country

World cross-country championships

EventPlaceAthleteHighlights
1982 World Championships Oslo, NorwayBill KochBronze 30 km
2003 Under-23 Championships Valdidentro, ItalyKris FreemanGold 30 km Classic
2003 World Championships Lausanne, SwitzerlandKris Freeman4th 15K Classic
2007 World Championships Sapporo, JapanAndy Newell5th in Classic Sprint – Historic Best US Worlds Sprint Result
2009 World Championships Liberec, Czech RepublicKikkan RandallSilver in Individual Sprint Freestyle – First ever medal for an American Woman
2013 World Championships Val di Fiemme, ItalyKikkan Randall and Jessie DigginsGold in Team Sprint – First ever gold medal for the USA
2015 World Championships Falun, SwedenJessie Diggins and Caitlin GreggSilver and Bronze in 10K Free – First time two Americans made the podium in an individual race
2017 World Championships Lahti, FinlandSadie Bjornsen and Jessie DigginsBronze in Team Sprint

Cross-country World Cup

YearAthleteHighlights
1976Bill KochTied for 3rd in World Cup Overall
1982Bill KochWorld Cup Champion
1983Bill Koch3rd in World Cup Overall
2006Andy Newell3rd in 1 km Freestyle Sprint in Changchun, China – First US Man on a World Cup Podium Since 1983
2007Kikkan Randall3rd in 1.2 km Sprint at Rybinsk, Russia (January 21, 2007) – First US Woman on a World Cup Podium
2012Kikkan RandallWorld Cup Sprint discipline title (first ever World Cup discipline title won by an American woman)
2013Kikkan RandallWorld Cup Sprint discipline title
2014Kikkan RandallWorld Cup Sprint discipline title

Nordic combined highlights

Olympic Winter Games

EventPlaceAthleteHighlights
1932 Olympic Games Lake Placid, New YorkRolf Monsen9th in K100/10 km Individual – historic best US Olympic Nordic combined individual finish
Salt Lake City, UtahBill Demong, Matt Dayton, Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick4th in K90/4x5 Team Relay – historic best US Olympic Nordic combined result
2010 Olympic Games Vancouver, British ColumbiaBill DemongGold in Individual Large Hill/10 km
2010 Olympic Games Vancouver, British ColumbiaJohnny SpillaneSilver in individual large hill/10 km; silver in individual normal hill/10 km
2010 Olympic Games Vancouver, British ColumbiaBrett Camerota, Todd Lodwick, Bill Demong, Johnny SpillaneSilver in team large hill/4 x 5 km

World Nordic combined championships

EventPlaceAthleteHighlights
2003 World Championships Val di Fiemme, ItalyJohnny SpillaneGold K120/7.5 km Sprint – historic first US Nordic combined medal Olympics or Worlds
2007 World Championships Sapporo, JapanBill DemongSilver HS100/15 km individual
2009 World Championships Liberec, Czech RepublicTodd LodwickGold HS100/10 km mass start
2009 World Championships Liberec, Czech RepublicTodd LodwickGold HS100/10 km normal hill
2009 World Championships Liberec, Czech RepublicBill DemongBronze HS100/10 km normal hill
2009 World Championships Liberec, Czech RepublicBill DemongGold HS134/10 km large hill
2013 World Championships Val di Fiemme, ItalyBill Demong, Todd Lodwick, Taylor Fletcher, Bryan FletcherBronze Team HS106/4x5km

Nordic combined World Cup

YearAthleteHighlights
2008Bill Demong3rd in World Cup Overall – Historic Best US Result
2009Bill DemongRepeats as 3rd in World Cup Overall

Nordic combined National Championship

United States Nordic Combined Championships

Jumping highlights

Ski jumping National Championship

U.S. National Ski Jumping Championships

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ussa.org/magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/about/history.html USSA history information
  2. John E. Findling, Kimberly D. Pelle, eds. (2004) Encyclopedia of the Modern Olympic Movement Greenwood Publishing Group Page 273
  3. News: 10 April 1861 . Snow Shoeing . 3 . Daily National Democrat (Marysville, Calif.) .
  4. Engen, Alan K. (1998) For the Love of Skiing: A Visual History of Skiing Gibbs Smith Publishers pages 12-14
  5. Coleman, Annie Gilbert (2004) Ski Style: Sport and Culture in the Rockies University Press of Kansas p24
  6. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86063194/1887-01-22/ed-1/seq-1/ "Our Winter's Sport"
  7. Allen, E. John B. (1997) New England skiing, 1870-1940 Charleston, SC: Arcadia
  8. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn90059522/1887-02-09/ed-1/seq-1/ The Ski Tournament
  9. Pontti, John and Luostari, Kenneth (2000) Midwest Skiing: A Glance Back Arcadia Publishing
  10. Adler, Allen (1997) "A History of the U.S. Ski Hall of Fame in Ishpeming" Skiing Heritage Vol 10 #3:35
  11. http://www.snl.no/.nbl_biografi/Thorleif_Haug/utdypning Thorleif Haug (Store norske leksikon)
  12. News: Utah takes 'national' ski step . Deseret News . (Salt Lake City, Utah) . Kadleck . Dave . June 21, 1965 . B5.
  13. Jerome, John (1974) "Home at Last" Skiing vol 27 #4:93-95
  14. Book: Brandt. Richard L.. Capital Instincts: Life as an Entrepreneur, Financier, and Athlete. 7 February 2003 . Wiley. 0471214175. 149–151. 1.
  15. https://usskiandsnowboard.org/about/usana-center-excellence USANA Center of Excellence