12/30/08 WEEKLY UPDATE

OMS Freerider Andrew Holson at Monday's private 4BI9 rail shoot on OKEMO
photo: Brendan Ladd

I think that all can agree that the Okemo Freestyle Holiday Party at The Killarney was AWESOME! There had to be over 40 of us there. Thanks to all who came and spread good cheer and to those who were not able to attend, we missed you... but there's always the next one!

To all of the athletes...
On behalf of the whole coaching staff, thanks for your focus and drive over this holiday training period. Despite the crazy New England fluctuations in weather, we have had some solid days in the moguls and in the park. Looking ahead, they are getting back into the pipe with snowmaking and I'm going out early in the morning to bump Blackout and build a jump as well.

On another note, I would like to emphasize the importance of attendance and punctuality -- if you are late, you miss out and so do the coaches who are excited (and paid) to be there coaching you. And if you don't show up at all, well...

A Freeride...
Last night, Okemo hooked it up with a custom built 20 ft. gap jump to a rail on Bull Run. This feature was built exclusively for a private night film shoot for OMS / 4BI9 freeriders. Pics are in the photo album (courtesy of Brendan Ladd) and as for the video, you'll have to buy the movie next fall!

Next competition--> USSA slope and Pipe, at Okemo, 1/10, 11.

A Moguls...
We'll be training on Blackout tomorrow with a partial course (only one air).

Leaving for SUGARLOAF on 1/1/09 at 3:30 from the chalet. Don't forget to register by Wednesday! Call or email with questions.

B Moguls / Freeride...
You guys will be on Blackout tomorrow as well. This course will be a super training opportunity for you for Wed.-Fri. to get ready for Sugarbush.

And on that note...
Competition this weekend--> Sugarbush B moguls, Saturday 1/3.

• MUST register by Wednesday.
• Be at registration at Sugarbush by 7:30 AM
• http://services.easternfreestyle.org/info/Info2009/7_Info.pdf for event info.
• Please email to confirm who is competing and for ride/carpool info.

Fresh Start Freestylers...
You guys are looking great. It's such a pleasure to see skiers making progress like you guys are. Keep it up!

THANKS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
-Marks

12/22/08 WEEKLY UPDATE

Sean Kennedy and Alex Buller
Photo: Bruno

**FREESTYLE TEAM HOLIDAY PARTY**

Where: The Killarney Irish Pub (bottom of Okemo access Rd.)
When: Sunday 12/28 4:30-??
What?: A chance for the team to get together and celebrate the snow and the holidays... 25 cent wings, free soda for the kids, and beer specials for adults!

Sweathsirts...
Almost all of the sweatshirts are in and ready to be picked up (a few are still being printed...). Email Donna to check the status of your order and to arrange p/u: timberinn@tds.net

A Freeride
-Check the photo album for a few CO pics that Bruno posted.
-USSA Slopestyle and pipe comps weekend of 1/10 at Okemo... stay tuned for details.
-4BI9 may be having a private nighttime rail shoot at Okemo b/w Xmas and New Year's... might be a great spectator venue.

A Moguls
-Leaving for Sugarloaf on the afternoon of 1/1/09 -- I'll email with trip details.

Fresh Start
-This is a prime week to gain some consistency and make some major improvements in your skiing-- take advantage!

B Moguls/Freeride
-Killington put on an awesome first B comp of the year, so cheers to all who came out for it. It was a great opportunity to get some course time, see where your skills are at, and set goals for the season.

-Results from Saturday:

http://services.easternfreestyle.org/results/Rpt2009/2_M.pdf
-Results from Sunday:
http://services.easternfreestyle.org/results/Rpt2009/2_M2.pdf

-Next comp: Sugarbush, 1/3

ALSO...
The coaches are offering an information session for athletes and parents, both new and veteran, to view some video and learn about judges, scoring, and all the ins and outs of moguls and freeride...
Where: 2nd flr Okemo Competition Center
When: Saturday 12/27 4PM
RSVP: to Giovanna at gurist@gmail.com

Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah!
-Marks

Holiday Training Schedule

Please Check Calendar link at right
to view
HOLIDAY TRAINING SCHEDULE

12/15/08 WEEKLY UPDATE

The WORD from Colorado... According to Coach Bruno, the boys in Keystone have been getting the best of both worlds -- a week of solid park training on good jumps (rodeos, right-side spins, corks...) followed by a recent dump of over a foot of 'der (powder, in case you didn't know). I bet it's a little nicer than our run through the trees at Okemo on Saturday...

The Weekend Ahead...
B moguls/freeride
The moment you've all been waiting for... the FIRST B COMP of the season!! Killington B Mogul Opener is this Saturday and Sunday.

• Please register by THIS WEDNESDAY. Go to easternfreestyle.org (link at right) and go to the schedule page. There will be a green Register button next to the appropriate event. M1 is Saturday and M2 is Sunday -- two separate competitions.
• Click on "Comments" at the bottom of this post and say if you are attending one or both days AND please specify if you can give a ride or need a ride. Carpooling is key!
• Coaches Jon Norton and Lenny Ancuta will meet the team on course at training at 8AM. Athletes must be at bib pick-up (location of registration and comp TBA) by 7:30 AM
• Visit http://services.easternfreestyle.org/info/Info2009/2_Info.pdf for event info.
  

A moguls
Our air site is rebuilt, so we'll be back to jumping again. Hopefully, with some weather cooperation, moguls coming. See you then...

A freeride
Bruno and the OMS crew will be back from their training trip to join the rest of you in shredding the Nor'Easter features -- they are adding more each day. **First USSA Slopestyle will be on 1/10/09** at OKEMO

Fresh Start Freestylers
I know G will have her camera with her this weekend, so whether you're hitting one of our two airsite jumps (one newer, smaller version!), or carving turns, she'll be getting the shot.

Tip of the Week...
Avoid rogue wheels crossing traffic and threatening your vehicle. Sound strange? Ask Coach RT...

That's it for now... thanks and have a great week!
-MARKS

*Competition Update*

Sugarloaf A Moguls Postponed to weekend of 1/2/09

12/8/08 WEEKLY UPDATE

Photos from Killington's Rail$ to Riche$ Contest...

photos: Joe Tyson
clockwise from top L: Dale Talkington, Alex Buller, Dale

Weekend recap...
On the Okemo Freeride scene on Saturday, Alex Buller, Sean Kennedy, Dale Talkington, and traveling team member Steven Larick from PA all stepped to Killington's Rails to Riches competition -- arguably one of the country's most competitive rail jams -- for a piece of the $25,000 purse. They all threw down hard, but in the end it was Dale who joined nine other finalists under the lights. While he didn't walk with a giant check, Dale was in the top 5, by all accounts.

Back at the Motherland (aka Okemo!), the action was going down on our team's private air-site on Defiance. 'A' Mogul skiers Ryan Heitsmith, Karns White, Dan Ladd, Curtis Pazdar and Will Conroy were dialing in some beautifully lofty back flips, 360's and cork 720 tails. The 'B' mogul and Fresh Start crews, consisting of Jace Provance, Kyle Kauffman, Sam Pawlak, Zach Cone, Matt Sturm, and Jia Hong, to name a few, showed that they will soon be nipping close at the heels of the A's, looking like they've been on snow and practicing the fundamentals of jumping for months.

We'd like to give a big welcome to newcomer Jeremy "Soldier Boy" I-haven't-got-your-last-name-yet, who joined the other A freeriders Graham Bunt and Robin Holby in sessioning the Sapphire and recently added Nor'Easter terrain park features. And a special greeting to OMS Freerider Andrew Holson, training and shredding hard in CO for the past 2 weeks, about to join up with the rest of the OMS freeride crew, embarking on their early season training trip...


Coming up...
A Freeride
Just departed for Keystone, CO, for 11 days of big-jump training with Bruno. Keep your eyes peeled for a post from the Rockies...
A Moguls
Don't forget to register for Sugarloaf comp (both days) by WEDNESDAY. Use easternfreestyle.org link at right. Email me with any logistical ?s.
B Moguls/Freeride/Fresh Start
Training at home this weekend... we'll have an air again, and perhaps even a few bumps (no promises). We'll also be getting out all over the mountain, working on our turns, and having a blast. Gettin' ready for Killington on 12/20!!

Comments!
Here's a new feature to try -- click on "comments" below this post and write a message/comment/greeting, just as a test for now. This will be a useful feature in organizing carpools to events, seeing who is coming up on a particular weekend, etc. Give it a try!!

12/1/08 WEEKLY UPDATE

Thanks to everyone for an outstanding start to weekend training! Highlights include:

• New team members Zach Cone, Maggie (don't know your last name yet!), Matt Sturm, and a few others who will be showing up next weekend...
• OMS freerider Dale Talkington taking home $150 ca$h MoNEy at the first rail comp of the season!
• Guest coaches Alison Lee (former Okemo Freestyler and US Ski Team Aerialist), her brother Brady (former OMS freerider extraordinaire and mogul coach), and Franky P (the Godfather of Okemo Freestyle, ordinarily a midweek mogul coach)
• And a stellar return to skiing for all of you who came out and laid down some solid turns and even threw a spin or a flip here and there...

DOWN TO BUSINESS...

A FREERIDE...

1. First comp, 12/6, Rails to Riches at Killington. We'll chat about taking a van over. Pro comp, great spectator venue for all!
2. Depart for Colorado 12/7... will be in touch with Boston van info.

A MOGULS...

1. We'll have a mogul air for this weekend, hopefully by Wednesday.
2. First comp, depart 12/11, Sugarloaf ME. Trip info to follow later this week.

B MOGULS / FREERIDE, and FRESH START CREW...

1. You too will have a mogul air to train on this coming weekend, as well as a host of park features, table tops, and rails.
   
2. First B mogul comp, 12/20, Killington. Please contact me if you have questions regarding obtaining a USSA license, registration, etc.

MISCELLANEOUS...

1. Did everyone order their OKEMO FREESTYLE HOODIES?! It's not too late to contact Donna H. at timberinn@tds.net
2. Remember to scroll down when checking the blog to see if there are any posts you missed...
3. You can search this site, either through the searchbar at the top or through the post archive at the bottom, to refer back to any news or updates you may want to revisit.
4. I have added a photo link at the right, where you will find web albums for all of the OKEMO FREESTYLE TEAMS... not much in there right now, but just you wait...

Thanks, and have a great week!!
-MARKS

Team Sweatshirts available now!

OKEMO FREESTYLE TEAM
Dickies Hoodies...

Get yours' today!!!
Email Donna Heitsmith at:
timberinn@tds.net

Must order by 12/1/08

11/29 OKEMO FREESTYLE TRAINING BEGINS!!!!

Training will begin this SATURDAY, 11/29/08

Important things to note:

• All Freestyle programs meet at 9AM sharp at the top of the AB quads.
• Sessions go from 9-11 and 1-3... meet top of the AB once again at 1PM for afternoon session.
• Please join all OMARA families on Friday night at 7PM in the Sitting Bull for the Competition Programs Welcome Gathering.
• The skiing is outstanding for November!!! ...snowmaking has been full tilt for the past week and the mountain got 10 in. of fresh last night (and maybe a bit of rain...) but the coverage is excellent.
  

Looking forward to seeing everyone...

LOOK NO FURTHER...

*How do I sign my son/daughter up for a USSA license? 

*Are there any competitions next weekend?

*How do I register for that competition coming up?  

*How do I join OMARA?

*Where can I see results and photos from that slopestyle comp?

*etc., etc...

The questions are many and varied, and all deserving of an informative and prompt response.  Which is why I now give to you, the athletes, parents, coaches, and friends of Okemo Freestyle, this new "blogspot" webpage -- created by Bruno and me as a comprehensive information hub.  

To the right you will find important links to, well, I'll let you explore them yourselves...

Weekly, throughout the season, I will be posting:

>Pertinent info for all of the Okemo Freestyle Teams

>Links to photos from training and competitions

>Competition Results

>Reminders to register for competitions

>And many other things to keep you up-to-date and in-the-loop with the goings on of our program.

So check in here, and check in often.  I will also send weekly email reminders with a link to this site so that you may view new content.

Once again, WELCOME TO THE 2008-2009 OKEMO FREESTYLE SEASON -- it's going to be one to remember.

-Marks

TEAM PARTY AND FIT NIGHT

The OMS and Okemo Mountain Freestyle Team members, coaches, and families are all descending upon Joe Jones Ski Shop in Ludlow next Saturday, 11/8, at 7PM for a team party and boot-fitting opportunity.

We'll have cocktails, appetizers, and refreshments, so please join us!

testing...