JUST IN CASE...

... for those who did not see the message above,

OKEMO FREESTYLE HAS MOVED TO

go2omara.com

This site is now "dead," meaning it is no longer updated. Please update your bookmarks accordingly.

PROGRAM START DATE, other...

Hello Okemo Freestyle!

A few updates for you...

• Due to an unfortunate lack of snowmaking temps thus far, Team training will NOT begin this Saturday. The mountain may still open this Saturday, but not with enough terrain to support the public as well as all Competition Programs.
• Here is the plan for those who are interested: Get out and enjoy the skiing with your family/friends on Saturday morning. At 1pm on Saturday, a group of coaches and any interested Team members will meet in OMS parking lot to depart on a hike up the backside of Okemo (depending on numbers, we may ask for some parent assistance in driving to the trailhead...) This hike is OPTIONAL. Please RSVP via email if you would like to join us.
  

NEW Website...

• Beginning on 11/27/09, we will no longer be using this okemofreestyle.blogspot.com website... all Okemo Competition Programs are moving to a new comprehensive site established by OMARA at www.go2omara.com
• The new site will have all the functionality of this one and more!
• SO... all the updates, results, pics, video, etc. that you have been getting here for the last year will be at go2omara.com under the "freestyle" page.

What should we be doing/have done already at this point in the year??

• Everyone must be registered and paid up for Okemo Competition Programs (or Okemo Mountain School, as the case may be...). Everyone will have a one day grace period on this, but MUST be fully signed up by their second day out -- they are being firm on this topic this year due to liability, etc.
  
• Everyone must have already joined OMARA for the year (you'll learn about all the great member benefits at the new site, go2omara.com)
• Everyone should have renewed for 2009-2010 their USSA Freestyle Competitors License at ussa.org
• Anyone who was not at the Team Fit Night should be certain that their gear fits and is appropriate for the new ski season... contact coaches if you need assistance.

Anything else, feel free to ask...

REMEMBER... 11/27/09... go2omara.com !!!! ...also, there are a few password-protected pages on the new site, such as our Roster -- to access these pages, password is "omara"

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

-Marks

**TEAM JERSEYS & PARTY REMINDER**

**REMINDER**

TEAM FIT DAY AND PARTY, NOVEMBER 7th

(click on flyer to view details, full size)

Hey Team... we've decided to take a little departure from sweatshirts this year... and go with

OKEMO FREESTYLE CUSTOM JERSEYS!

Now, anyone my age or older might think what the heck do basketball jerseys have to do with skiing? I'm not quite sure I have the answer to that, but I do know that they look awesome and most freestyle kids these days LOVE 'em!

Made of a high-quality mesh, screen printed with our logo on the front and your name on the back... price is $38

...so ORDER YOURS TODAY!!!!!!!!

email me with:

• Name
• Size (specify Adult or Youth, s, m, l, xl, xxl, etc... and for the GIRLS, we are offering a more feminine, tapered cut if you are interested... please specify!)
• Name to be printed on back (nicknames OK)

Welcome Jared Colletti!

Some of you may have met 10 year old Jared Colletti at Ramp Camp... he is one of the newest members of Okemo Freestyle.

Here is some vid of this talented young man from last ski season... Enjoy!

TEAM FIT DAY AND PARTY '09-'10- (click on flyer to view)

RAMP CAMP #2 photos...

H2Okemo Water Ramp Camp 

2009

Below are a few highlight pics from Ramp Camp... to see the complete album, click the 'photos' tab at the side of this page, which will take you to

http://picasaweb.google.com/okemofreestyle/H2OKEMORampCamp2009#

(you may have to cut and paste into your browser)

... we only took pics for a few hours on the last day, so we may have missed a few of ya -- sorry.  BUT, the video is coming soon.  Evan is putting the finishing touches on his own ski film production, METROPOLIS, for entry into the International Freeskiing Film Festival in Montreal (IF3)... but after that, he's on our project.

I'll keep you posted!

^Jeremy "Soulja Boy" Peterson lines up for one of his super man front flips... or is it a double??

^G-Bunt finds that Blunt grab...

^david SUPER-MAN(dra)

Jared "don't get in my way, I'm Jumpin!" Colletti... 

Hauser, makin' it look pretty

RAMP CAMP #1

A Few Pics from Okemo Freestyle's June Ramp Camp...

Just got back from the first of our team's two Lake Placid Water Ramp Training Camps this Summer... the group was small, but the boys went BIG!  Check out these photos of Matt Hauser and Zach Cone.

Big group headin' over for camp #2 in August.  Questions?  Email Marks at cmarks7@yahoo.com 

Giraffic Park Invitational at Okemo

EC Headwear presents
Giraffic Park 2009
Invitational film and photo shoot
at Okemo Mountain Resort

Sponsored by EC Headwear, The Killarney, OMARA, 4BI9 Media, Ludlow Village Pizza, The Boot Pro, Sports Odyssey, and Totem Pole Ski Shop, on 4/1-2/09, Okemo built an 81 ft. gap jump specifically for a select group of 12 skiers.

The event was organized as an opportunity for 4BI9 Media to get footage of their athletes (Talkington, Holson) as well as others (OMS/Okemo Freeriders Bunt, Buller, Kennedy, Peterson...) for this year's movie.

check the pics!!!

Tim Maney ^

Alex Buller^

Graham Bunt^Jeremy "Soulja Boy" Peterson^

Graham Bunt^

Tim Maney^

Dale Talkington^Dale^

3/23/09 WEEKLY UPDATE

by the way... GREAT party on Friday night! To those who came, thanks, and to those who missed, we missed ya... but there's always the next one!

The Mount Snow Freeskiing Open 2009
An open registration pro/semi-pro
slopestyle competition at Mt. Snow 3/21

Dale Talkington, hangin' out after the comp, waiting for awards... he's smiling for a reason -- he killed it all weekend and took 4th PLACE in the PRO DIVISION!!


Alex Buller, also chillin', most likely tired after something like 32 runs on the course. It paid off -- 4th PLACE, AMATEUR DIVISION... enjoy that Mountain Dew, you earned it buddy. Alex, here's my public apology -- my action shots of you were worthy of last place. I'll keep training -- I owe you one! Bruno, posting up to get the shot on the second jump... see that huge pack at his feet? That's the camera responsible for all the killer video-edits you've enjoyed this season, the very same that the OMS crew has worked tirelessly to raise the money to pay for.
Dale, cork 900 on the 2nd jump.Jeremy "Soulja Boy" Peterson, with his patented 720 opp. mute poke. He skied great on a BIG course, but a few unfortunate crashes on comp day left him sidelined with a sore leg... we hope you're feeling good now, Jeremy...
Graham Bunt, cork 720. Went big, went cleeeaan. His tricks looked sooo good I had to take a picture.

Sean, out with a broken wrist, along to support the boys.

Brendan Ladd, along to support the team and take some pictures... with REAL film, not this amateur digital stuff. Perhaps a little too much sun, eh BLadd??Andrew Holson, Rodeo 5 critical. Need I say more?Dr. Hurricane Holson, pondering how he might improve his rodeos... the answer is, "Sorry, you can't -- they're dirty!*" *(dirty is a good thing)RT (aka "Robbie" from Staten Island), somewhat ambivalent about being in front of the camera while not in costume (ahem, Joey Jam), which is a great segue to the following update...

Attention Okemo Freestyle, all programs, all parents, all coaches...

This weekend, 3/28-29, is IT!! Sadly, this weekend marks the end of Okemo Freestyle Team Training for the 2008-09 ski season. But we wouldn't let you go without a bang, would we???

Here it is:

• Weekend Program Awards, etc...

To all Competitors and Family:

Please join us on March 28^th, as we will be holding a Competition Department Family Fun Day and Awards Ceremony. The day will include dual Giant Slalom on Wardance, a halfpipe and slopestyle event, all competitors and family will be invited and encouraged to participate. At noon we will have a Barbeque at the Gate Shack, followed by awards outside of the Sugar House at 2pm (incase of rain, awards will be held at 3pm inside the Sugar House) Hope to see you there.

Best,

Pete, John & Ashley"

• Joey Jam

http://www.okemo.com/okemowinter/ourmountain/events/jamdetails.asp

Check the above link for details, but basically, if you want to see RT put on the performance of his life and win a Camaro, then find the time to check this event out!

• One more Freeride Event...
  

While this will interfere with Weekend Program Awards, the A Freeride team is going to Loon for March Mayhem on Saturday.
Event info: http://threeightwo.com/
Register here: http://threeightwo.50gigs.net/MMReg.html

We'll be leaving at 5:45 AM from the Chalet...

• And finally, One more A Mogul event...

The Killington Spring Klassic, 4/10-12. Info to follow as event draws near.

I would like to say to you all, especially those of you who will not be up this weekend, thank you for an outstanding season of Okemo Freestyle. I have witnessed our athletes grow, progress, and accomplish astounding feats, I have watched our coaches enthusiastically and tirelessly share their knowledge with our skiers, and I have watched and welcomed new families as they continue to meet, befriend, and gel with an existing group that I consider myself truly lucky to be a part of!

Thanks and have a great... Summer?!?
-Marks
And of course this isn't the last post of the season...(!)

3/17/09 WEEKLY UPDATE

And last, but MOST definitely not least, one more edit by an OMS Freerider, Sean Kennedy... you gotta hand it to these boys, demonstrating such impressive talents both on skis as well as with video editing...


Sean Kennedy Skii from Sean Kennedy on Vimeo.

Well Team... there is a new wordsmith in town, and he goes by the name of "Law." I'll say, take 1-part strong, black, police station coffee plus ten-parts 'the inspiration a coach gets from seeing his young skiers excel' and you get the following...

...so enjoy a little prose by Okemo Freestyle's very own Jon "Law" Norton. I'm gonna kick my feet up on this St. Patty's Day and let him do the writin'!

ps...scroll to the bottom of this post for more reminders...

"Don't fight the law, 'cause the law will win!" This quote is my own, it comes true about 95% of the time. Like for instance, tonight I am just sitting down here to type an overdue wrap up on Regionals, and also on this weekend's Eastern B Chambionships. Now this is partially my fault, yes, because I need a kick in the butt sometimes! However, it is also the fault of the two people I had to deal with at work today. See, on my way home tonight I assisted a local police agency with rounding up two burglars. YES!!! I actually did some work. Well, there was a fight, and well the law won! Now Springfield Corrections have two new fine mates behind their walls for a while lets hope! WHOO HOO! But what really peaves me is the fact that one competitor had her skis stolen at EASTERNS! OK, so we didn't win that time. As of right now, they still have not been found! Katie, I hope you get them back, but to be the professional I am, I know it's going to be a very slight chance of that happening. It's unfortunate!

However, looking on the brighter side of things, let's recap the two weekends!!!!

Slopestyle:

Three boys competed at the Central Region Finals held at Killington Mtn. on 3/7/09. As I was training with the mogul skiers, and really don't know much about the slopestyle runs, I do know the results! Sam Pawlak came in 10th overall!!!! Jace Provance 22nd, & Christian Backe 30th. This was out of 36 male competitors! So to all three, awesome job guys!!

Moguls:

We had a good showing this year at the Central Region Finals for moguls held at Killington Mtn on 3/8/09. Training was a lot of fun, as always, as the snow conditions were soft and the trail itself was awesome. I myself, got to par-take a bit and make a few turns and jumps on the course with the kids, and I got to say I was bummed I couldn't compete! But anyway, the training day went like this, the girls were hard at work trying to land 3's! A couple were landed well, and many ended with slush in their faces. The boys also had lots of runs and plenty of falls! Spring weather, you gotta love it!.

We had 7 competitors show up for another spectacular day at Killington Mtn. The course held up very well even though the night before we ended up with a couple inches of rain! The girls were up first of course, and in a very hard fought game, Delia ended up in 5th, and Katie ended up in 7th overall out of 33 ladies! On the boys side everyone did very well, and ended up in: Sam 19th, Jace 39th, Christian 50th, Patrick 43rd & Kyle in 55th, and this was out of 57 guys! Now I got to say to everyone, that all of us coaches are very proud! We had a great showing at regionals, and as I suspect next year we will be looking for the gold!

Now onto Easterns B Championships held at Loon Mtn on 3/13 & 3/14/09....

Slopestyle: I was not there, due to a carbonmonoxide/fire issue at my house in the morning. However Head Coach Marks was, so I'll let him spill the beans! Marks here... Sam charged a course that proved more challenging than any seen in the regular season; while the rails were rather difficult, Sam stomped his airs beautifully (180, sw180, 180 over the BIG jump) and nabbed himself a 43rd place finish. He is a true competitor, hungering for more, and I look forward to next season to see if he can attempt to match the outstanding progress he's shown this year!

Moguls: Training, 3/13/09. Tough course to sell. The moguls were made this morning! They were very rough compared to the moguls at regionals. But, HEY, this is New England! So what do you expect! That's why we practice using your edges! Well, enough of a rant....training was good, the two girls Delia & Katie trained very hard on friday trying to find all of the "in's & out's" of this cruddy course. Saturday night was relaxation time, and come Sunday morning....Katie's skis were MIA! Yep, gone. They were there one minute before breakfast, then gone by the time we came back! So, she had to master a new pair of demo's thoughtfully named the "cool ones" made by head. Yeh, they were eye turners! Once on the hill, it was discovered that the trail was even more cruddy than Friday! Ruts as far as the eye can see with boiler plate ice moguls with a hint of groomed powder on top! The girls skied hard, showing a 15th place overall (Katie) and a 25th overall (Delia)!

My final thoughts are this.... Everyone on this team deserves a big pat on the back for the work they did this year! I had a blast and I hope everyone else did! Next stop a wedding this weekend, and hopefully making some turns with everyone the following weekend!" LAW

Thank you, Law!!



A Freeride...
We'll be leaving from the Chalet at 7:45 AM on Friday for training at Mount Snow!

EVERYONE...
Party update:
-Again, this Friday, 8PM at the Killarney. There will be live music, food and drink specials, a raffle, and oh so much more...
-AND, the polls are closed and the people have spoken -- the theme of this party is "Dress as your favorite coach," whatever THAT means. So, if you think you have one of us pegged, go for it -- should be a great laugh. And if you're not into that, joey attire and golf attire were a not-really-so-close second.
SEE YOU THERE!!

Video page...
Check the video link in the links section of this blog... I think you'll be pleased!

End of season...
UNFORTUNATELY, the Team's season is about to come to a close; join us once again, though, next weekend, for the closing awards ceremony. I have yet to be given the details, but will forward along ASAP.

Thanks and have a great week!
-Marks

3/9/09 WEEKLY UPDATE

CONGRATULATIONS
to our entire
B Regional Championship Team
including Top Finishers
Delia Whyte -- 5th moguls
Katie Craig -- 7th moguls
Sam Pawlak -- 10th slopestyle

Patrick Craig and Coach Franky P!

Katie Craig and Delia Whyte

**Important Upcoming Dates**
As the season's end comes rocketing towards us, I wanted to make you aware of a few important dates coming up:

• Friday, March 20 -- Okemo Freestyle Team Spring Party/Get-together... 3/20, 8PM, Killarneys in Ludlow. We would like to welcome athletes, parents, coaches, alumni, and friends to The Killarney to celebrate a fun and successful season together. There will be an AWESOME band playing, a private area set aside for our team, and food and drink specials. Please make it up for this fun event! Be sure to go to the poll at the right, below the links, and vote on a theme!
  
• Saturday, March 28 -- Weekend program Season's End Awards Ceremony and activities... more info to come as I get it, but just wanted to make sure everyone is up for this final weekend.
  

A Freeride...

I cannot say enough about the importance of video in freestyle skiing progression -- as a coaching tool, as a source of inspiration, pride and confidence for the athletes, as a means of sharing one's passion with others worldwide... I could go on.
Below is another video edit by a member of our team. Alex Buller did a killer job putting this together, with skiing by OMS freeriders Sean Kennedy, Dale Talkington, and Alex himself... all filmed this season by Coach Bruno.

Okemo from Alex Buller on Vimeo.

Next up for A Freeride -- Mount Snow Freeskiing Open, Mt. Snow VT, 3/21-22... spectators welcome and encouraged!

A Moguls...
Again, there is one comp left for the A mogul Team, the Spring Klassic at Killington -- 4/10-12... mark it on your calendars!

Also, I will be emailing soon regarding summer mogul camps (we'd like to get everyone -- including those of you B's moving up to A's next year -- out to Momentum or another ski camp this summer in addition to our water ramp camps)... stay tuned! Conroy and Pazdar had a great experience at Momentum, in case anyone has questions...

B Moguls/Freeride...
Below are some of the runs from our B Team at Mogul Regional Championships at Killington on Sunday, courtesy of Joe "Jokemofreestyle" Kaufman. He did not get both runs from everyone, but he tried his best, so enjoy...

AND... stay tuned for a recap of the events, coming soon from Law. I'll post here...

Coming up, wish our B EASTERN CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM (Pawlak, Whyte, K. Craig) luck as they head to Loon this weekend at Loon!!!

Thanks and have a great week!
-Marks

For your viewing pleasure...

A brief promo edit that Dale put together of his skiing from the 2008-09 season so far... more to come from some of the other freeriders as they finish theirs' up!


dale quick edit from Dale Talkington on Vimeo.

3/3/09 WEEKLY UPDATE

CONGRATULATIONS

DALE TALKINGTON

2009 USSA EASTERN DIVISIONAL SLOPESTYLE
CHAMPION

...and to ALEX BULLER as well, for his
10th place finish at Slopestyle Eastern Championships

A Freeride...
A large portion of the A Freeride team, including Dale Talkington, Alex Buller, Jeremy Peterson, Sean Kennedy, Tyler Galloway and coaches Bruno and RT descended upon Mt. Snow's USSA Eastern Championships for Slopestyle on Friday. The fog was thick and the snow was wet, but that did not stop our boys from throwing down. In addition to the above highlights, see full results here:
http://services.easternfreestyle.org/results/Rpt2009/36_S.pdf

Coming up next... Mount Snow Freeskiing Open, 3/21-22

A Moguls...
This past weekend's Eastern Championships for Moguls was held at Killington on Saturday and Sunday. Karns charged the hill, looking to continue a steady season-long climb to the top 10. While he put down his best airs of the season and a top-12 time, he unfortunately couldn't keep the turns as clean as they needed to be, landing him in 31st.

The team will be training this weekend, with one last comp left -- the Killington Spring Klassic in April. We're hoping to see Ryan back from Peru, Karns, Will, and maybe even Curtis????

B Moguls/Freeride...

Dicin' Delia Whyte dealing up a textbook Daffy...
check the "Photos" link at the right for more pics of our B competitors at the Whaleback Competition-->

Here is the deal for this weekend's Regional Championships at Killington...

• Slopestyle is Saturday. Mogul Training will be the same day for those competing in Sunday's mogul event. While a few parents have offered to carpool, WE WILL NOW BE TAKING A VAN OVER ON SATURDAY FOR BOTH SLOPESTYLE COMPETITORS AND THOSE TRAINING THE MOGUL COURSE.
  
• Again, on Sunday, we will be taking a van to the mogul event, so all are welcome to ride...
• Saturday's van will leave from the Chalet (Training Center) at 6:45 AM SHARP!
  

Any B skiers not competing at Regionals, or Fresh Start Grads, can meet the team for training at home!

Thanks and have a great week!
-Marks

2/23/09 WEEKLY UPDATE

THE EPIC RUN
Some thoughts on winning, shredding, and having the run of your life... any day, every day.

Andrew Holson cork 3 Japan

Mark Preschern rippin' da woods

Sean Kennedy 5 blunt

...As my elementary school gym teacher would say after a game of kickball when asked the final score (and he really did, this isn't some cliche to make you dry-heave!) -- "those who had fun, won."
...As coach Franky P can be heard saying daily, "PMA -- Positive Mental Attitude, brutha!!"
...As parent Matt Preschern expressed in a conversation this weekend, "Just SKI... it's all about just skiing!"

I chose the three photos above -- and the quotes that follow -- for a very specific reason: they embody an approach to sports, skiing, competing, and life that, I believe, is the path to success.

From the 10 year-old who is in the gate trying to qualify for Eastern Championships, to the 17 year-old who is trying to "get the shot" in front of a pro videographer's lens, there is a very important piece of preparation that will win the day, moreso than any other bit of technical coaching. What I am talking about is one's mindset, or "inner game," if you will... the focus on fun, positivity, and placing greatest importance on doing what we do simply because of one's love for the sport, that will put one in a position to ski the run of his or her life -- wherever, whenever.

I think you can see this attitude in the photos above -- our skiers are performing at an amazing level. Even though Sean doesn't have a bib on, Holson is only "soul-skiing,"and Mark is turning through the trees and not in a bump course, they are shredding their hearts out, and loving it. The point of my ramblings, in short, is that come competition day, why should one's mindset, priorities, and level of confidence be any different than on the day these photos were captured???

Good luck and congrats to our team as we approach Eastern Championships, the Mount Snow Open, Superunknown Finals, and any other opportunity to put your hard work to the test. Have fun with it, and you will all be winners.

A Freeride...
Below is the link to invitations/registration for A slopestyle Eastern Championships -- Peterson, Galloway, Buller, Talkington, Kennedy, Landy (Bunt and Holby will probably get in as people decline and list advances through alternates...)

• We will be going to Mt Snow to train on Thursday.
• Event is Friday -- a van will be leaving early Friday morning from Ludlow.
• Please accept invitation and register IMMEDIATELY, as they expire 48 hours from when they were posted.
  

http://services.easternfreestyle.org/invitations/invitation.php?inv=0

A Moguls...
A Mogul Eastern Championships at Killington this weekend... Karns and Heitsmith, Congrats! Though Heitsy is in another hemisphere right now...

• Karns, register immediately!!
• Training Friday, Singles Saturday.
  

http://services.easternfreestyle.org/invitations/invitation.php?inv=4


B Moguls / Freeride...
Hey team, below are links to invitations/registration for Regional Championships... please accept and register IMMEDIATELY, as invites expire 48 hours after being posted. Congratulations for all of your efforts and good luck in these invitational events!!

Female Mogul Skiers -- Whyte, Craig...
http://services.easternfreestyle.org/invitations/invitation.php?inv=43

Male mogul skiers -- Provance, Pawlak, Kaufman, Backe (alternate)...
http://services.easternfreestyle.org/invitations/invitation.php?inv=42

Male Slopestyle competitors -- Pawlak, Backe, Sturm, Provance (alternate)...
http://services.easternfreestyle.org/invitations/invitation.php?inv=44

Thanks and have a great week!
-Marks

HOLSON -- SuperUnknown VI Finalist!!

OMS Freerider
Andrew Holson
makes finals in Level 1 Productions'
SuperUnknown video edit contest!!!

View his entry below (all shots are of Andrew), and go to
http://www.level1productions.com/news.php?id=214
to see the edits of the other finalists...



Andrew Holson Superunknown VI Video from Josh Berman on Vimeo.

CONGRATS ANDYYYYYY!

...scroll down to see another, younger Okemo Freestyler in the media...

Okemo Freestyler in the New York Times

Okemo Freestyler
Maggie Bonnet
Interviewed in the
New York Times
as a junior ski tester...
see link below and scroll through all the pages to see her feedback on some junior skis!

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/02/18/fashion/20090219-physical-slideshow_index.html

2/17/09 WEEKLY UPDATE

TOP FINISHERS OF THE WEEK
Alex Buller -- 2nd, Killington's President's Rail Jam ($150 ca$h, +more, more, more)
Sam Pawlak 7th, USSA B Slopestyle, Okemo

Es un Coincidence?...
Three of our Okemo Freestylers are currently (or will be shortly) in Central and South America ... Katie Craig (Honduras), Robin Holby (Ecuador), Ryan Heitsmith (Peru)... Bien viajes, pero no hay nieve ahora!

A Freeride...

Big props to Alex Buller and Sean Kennedy for stomping their runs at the Aspen Freeskiing Open -- this was a course bigger, tighter, and more technical than any they've skied and they stepped it up huuuge, finishing in the middle of their qualifying heats, respectively. Both were proud of their skiing, as are their coaches! Dale also laid one down and, by all accounts, should have slid easily into the semi's. But, as judged events sometimes go (especially poorly judges ones(!)), he missed it by a couple of spots. His skiing though, over the entire trip, according to Bruno and based on the shots I've seen, was pretty pro.

Dale is currently in Park City, UT, with the Okemo extended family -- 4BI9. He is working hard on his segment for the upcoming 4BI9 film, hiking backcountry booters and braving the streets, slaying urban handrails.

Alex Buller and Coach Bruno decided to see just HOW MUCH driving they could do in a 24 hour period, competing in a rail jam at Killington Sunday afternoon, then promptly heading up to Sugarloaf, ME (tummies filled with overpriced wings) for a Monday slopestyle (nabbed 14th place), then right on back to the 'Low Monday night.

BIG SHOUT OUT to Charles Bocklet, taking the year off of OMS to recover from injury, who made an appearance this week to ski with the team and share a few laughs.

COMING UP>... Eastern Championships for USSA Slopestyle, MT Snow, 2/26-27... Stay tuned for invites (Galloway, Bunt, Holby, Landy, Buller, Kennedy, Talkington, Peterson -- this means you!)

A Moguls...

A few weekends off the competitive circuit, but now it's time to gear up for Eastern Championships at Killington. Keep your eyes peeled this week on easternfreestyle.org for the invite list.

Karns, I see you every day... hey.
Will, I hope you're over your flu so we can get back into the bumps!
Ryan, watch out for those Peruvian girls... you may forget all about your competitive skiing future if you're not careful.
Curtis, How's dat collarbone??
Harry, HARRREEEE!?

We will have the course on Ledges indefinitely... wicked sweet training opportunity.

We've decided on a new psychological intimidation tactic for the start area -- involves a speed bag and aggressive calisthenics. Will keep you updated with the relative success or failure of this gem.

B Moguls / Freeride...
Okemo hosted two competitions at the B level this past weekend -- Moguls on Saturday and Slopestyle on Sunday. First off, nice job to all of our competitors... second, thanks to all parents who came out and volunteered -- none of this could happen without your support, and we all thank you!!

Highlights include a strong showing from first-time competitors Jia Hong, Mark Preschern, Maggie Bonnet, and Matt Sturm (slopestyle); Sam Pawlak and Jace Provance qualifying for second runs in moguls and finishing top 20; Delia Whyte's AGGRESSIVE airs reaching other orbits; Christian Backe's top 15 slopestyle run; Sam Pawlak's 7th place slopestyle run; Patrick Craig's super-quick feet; and Kyle Kaufman's K-A twister and Kosack! ... and great to see Tommy P and Dylan Freeman back in the mix this week...

mogul results: http://services.easternfreestyle.org/results/Rpt2009/30_M.pdf
slopestyle results: http://services.easternfreestyle.org/results/Rpt2009/30_S.pdf
video of our entire team's mogul runs: http://www.youtube.com/user/Jokemofreestyle

COMING UP>... There was so much fire from the B team at the Okemo comps this weekend that it was clear that these guys and girls were not ready to hang it up for the regular season... WE'RE GOIN' to WHALEBACK!

• Moguls Saturday, Slopestyle Sunday
• Please sign up by Wednesday
• Email me if you're going! We'll arrange carpooling, etc...
  

Fresh Start Freestylers...

Fresh Start Freestyler Jia Hong... goin' hUUUGE!

"First comp ever for the Fresh Start Freestylers! Give it up for a great job coming out and having fun at the B Mogul and Slopestyle events! Everyone had a blast and I have heard nothing but excitement about going off to Whaleback next weekend for the last B comp of the season. We're all proud of you guys that you came out this weekend and gave it your all, especially with a lot of sicknesses going around. Lastly, way to ski hard this morning on the new bumps on Sels. Have fun skiing this week for those of you who are off and let's get pumped for Whaleback on Saturday!" -- Coach G

...Once again, this class of Fresh Start Freestylers has "graduated" to the B mogul team -- Congrats! All that means is that, for the most part, you'll be training with the rest of the B team skiers for the remainder of this year, so look for your updates under B Moguls/Freeride in the coming weeks. You guys have come a long way this year and you should be proud of yourselves!

Thanks and have a great week!

-Marks

President's Week Training Schedule

** Training Schedule for President's Week **

Monday 2/16:
9-11, 1-3 Meet top of AB

Tuesday-Friday, 2/17-20:
Mogul Skiers -- 9-noon, meet top of the AB
Freeriders -- 12:30-3:30, meet at the chalet

Thanks!

2/9/09 WEEKLY UPDATE

TOP FINISHER OF THE WEEK...
Delia Whyte, once again, lands herself on the podium
with a Silver at Mt. Snow's B mogul comp!

...must have been the OMS February Freestyle Camp she attended last week
with Jace Provance, Kyle Kaufman, Christian Backe, Mark Preschern, and Katie Craig. It was a super-fun week during which a great deal of progress was made by all.

A Freeride...
Stay tuned for the Aspen Open recap from Coach Bruno...

The rest of the A Freeriders who were not in Aspen competed in Slopestyle at Waterville this weekend. One of the highlights of my weekend was seeing Graham Bunt's rodeo 720's that I have been hearing so much about -- they are sicker than heck. Other highlights to the event include Jeremy "Soulja Boy" Peterson's stylie poked-out mute 900's, Tyler Galloway's consistent 7's and even 9's over the big jump, and Karns White's Superman front flips.

When all was said and done, Jeremy had the best finish with a 15th place. See the complete results here: http://services.easternfreestyle.org/results/Rpt2009/23_S.html

Coming up...
We may or may not be going to Sugarloaf's Solpestyle event on Monday... will wait to gauge interest from the team...

A Moguls...
Karns went solo to Waterville's A mogul singles event on Saturday. Though he took on the field alone, he battled like a warrior poet, nabbing a season-best 11th place and missing the hardware by only .1 of a point. He killed it, basically. Next stop -- Eastern Championships!!!


B Moguls / Freeride...
"Congratulations to all the competitors who came down to Mt. Snow this weekend. The mogul venue was a big difference from what our athletes skied at Stratton -- Mt. Snow had bigger, better-spaced moguls and bigger jumps.
Congratulations to Delia on her 2nd place finish, wowing the crowd with her huge daffy on the bottom air. After a few hard faceplants in training she recovered to stick her first run and then went on to ski even better in the second run.
Jace also had a great weekend sticking a huge spread up top and a big 3x down bottom. His run won his age group for the second comp in a row, and beat many of the older competitors run’s in the process, landing him 13th overall.
Sam Pawlak also had a solid day in moguls, sticking a solid run with some big airs.
Christian pushed it in his run and unfortunately couldn’t stick his big 3 on the top air. Way to go for it Christian!!!
On Sunday the team changed gears as we prepared to compete in slopestyle. Sunday was an interesting day as far as conditions, warm temps and rain in the morning made for some nice soft snow. Unfortunately the soft snow didn’t last all day; by the time the comps started in the afternoon the cold air had moved in and firmed up the slope course. Luckily for us, that did not stop our athletes. Sam came out early Sunday morning to train and it paid off, as he learned a switch 180 and took it to the big side of the first jump in the course. After his switch 180 he finished off with a clean box slide to a huge tail grab on big side of the final jump. Christian came out spinning in his run. He threw a nice 3 toxic up top, to a clean box slide to another 3 on the final table. Congratulations to all of our competitors this weekend." -- Coach Lenny

results: http://services.easternfreestyle.org/results/Rpt2009/24_M.html

COMING UP... The much anticipated home B Mogul and Slopestyle comps, 2/14-15!!

• Saturday's Mogul comp is on Ledges, Sunday's slopestyle is in the Dew Zone.
• Please contact me immediately if you are a B parent and did not get my email regarding how to register, or have not yet done so...
• Many of you have signed up to volunteer -- thank you! If you have not signed up, but would like to help, please let me know. Otherwise, come on out and watch and cheer our crew on. Last year, our boys swept the podium... I think we may have some winners amongst us once again!
  

Fresh Start Freestylers...
All of us coaches are very proud of this group; they have worked hard all season towards this weekend's event -- the Okemo B event is the first-ever competition for a Fresh Start Freestyler. On behalf of the whole program, I wish you guys the best of luck and will be cheering obnoxiously loud when its time for your runs. After that, consider yourselves graduated to the B Mogul Team... but just so you don't forget who taught you everything you know, you still get to ski with coach G this Spring!

Thanks and have a great week!
-Marks

Aspen Open Update

Hello from Colorado.. Although we do not have the all the snow that Okemo has received, we have the sunshine and warm temperatures. The great weather has led to a very progressive 10 days so far. Everyone has learned new tricks and is ready and prepared to compete in the Aspen Open qualifiers this Saturday.


The guys have had 3 days to prepare on the course so far and one final day tomorrow to polish their runs. The course is holding up great and it is just as big and impressive as it looks on tv. We have also been training and sessioning with two OMS Alumni Sean Ryan and Brain Tempini. Unfortunetly Brian fell on both of his slopestyle runs today but Sean was able to hold it together and qualify 3rd in his heat, advancing him to the semifinal tomorrow.

Good luck to to all fellow Okemo freestyle athletes competing this weekend.
More news and pictures to come......

2/2/09 WEEKLY UPDATE

OMS Freerider Andrew Holson enters

Level 1 Productions' Superunknown Contest

check out... http://www.level1productions.com/news.php?id=197&y=2008&m=11

We'll know the finalists by March, so wish Andrew luck!

A Freeride...

RT brought Jeremy Peterson and Tyler Galloway up to Sunday River for the USSA A Slopestyle this past Saturday. In addition to battling the Mt. Snow team in a vicious game of Laser Tag, the team put down some solid runs on the slope course as well. Jeremy snagged a 15th place, missing the top 10 by less than 2 pts., and Tyler earned himself 37th place. All were pleased with their performances, and are excited to get back at it this weekend at Waterville...

This Weekend:

• USSA A slope at Waterville on SUNDAY. REGISTER by Wednesday. Will email with logistics... potentially looking for a parent to drive over on Saturday morning...
• Wish our OMS crew luck at Friday's Slopestyle qualifiers in Aspen!
  

A Moguls...

The A mogul team was just up the road at Killington this past weekend, where White, Heitsmith, and Conroy took on monster field of 77 males in singles. They placed 30th, 28th, and 57th, respectively. Duals on Sunday brought the real excitement, with Heitsmith advancing to the second round and White crushing his way into the top 16.

This weekend:

• Singles at Waterville, Saturday. Please register by Wed. We will be leaving Ludlow early Friday morning to train.
  

B Moguls / Freeride...
The bulk of the B squad will be at OMS this week for the February Freestyle camp, working on their turns and airs, preparing for championship events like Regionals and Easterns, and getting a taste of what it's like to be an OMS student. So far, we're having a blast and we're excited to have you guys here!

There seems to be some confusion regarding Sunappee or Mt Snow this weekend for the B Team... PLEASE check with me before registering so we can get the whole team to the same comp.

Fresh Start Freestylers (and some B's, too...)...

Report from Coach G:

"Sunday was one of my favorite days of the whole season. We dug out the jump on Black Out (with a super sweet, soft landing) and the B's and the Fresh Starters came to have fun and get their airs ready for the Okemo comp on Feb. 14^th and 15^th. Jace, Kyle, Christian and Sam all landed and skied out of sweet 360s and are ready to go for Mt. Snow next weekend. Maggie tried her first 360 and made it to 270! Both Jia and Matt also tried 3s and made it to 90! I'm thrilled that everyone gave it their all. Keep it up guys!"

Thanks and have a great week!
-Marks

FYI..

please scroll down to next post for this week's freestyle updates...

1/26/09 WEEKLY UPDATE

CONGRATULATIONS to our TOP FINISHER of the week

KATIE CRAIG
with her 6th place run at the Stratton B Mogul event on Sunday

**REMINDER**
All Okemo Freestyle sweatshirts that were ordered earlier this year are IN and can be picked up at the Timber Inn

A Freeride...
Here is a look at a few of the features from the Aspen Open course where our OMS boys will be competing next week (if pics don't come up right away, try refreshing page)...

*RT will be taking those A Freeriders who are not in CO to Sunday River for Saturday's USSA slopestyle event.

• Please register at easternfreestyle.org/schedule (click on green 'register' button next to Sunday River event, NOT SUGARLOAF) no later than Wednesday of this week!
• Friday is a training day and is strongly encouraged, if you can get the time off from school.
  
• Please email me if you are going and I will be in touch with departure/accommodation plans.
  

A Moguls...
It was a bizarre and challenging course at Whiteface this past weekend, one on which less than half of the field could stand up a run or stay in a line. But Heitsmith was one of those talented few, laying down a clean run and landing himself 20th in singles. Karns had an equally good run in singles, but dragged a hand after the bottom air, plunging his score down into the lower half.

Duals was even more interesting on said course, but Heitsy proved hardy once again, beating his first two opponents and almost a third, earning himself 17th place. Karnsy, unfortunately, fell victim to the dreaded stomach bug (or bad taco...) leaving him in no condition to compete on Sunday. But he will be back, and hungry (no pun intended!), for this weekend's Killington event.

This weekend's A mogul event is at Killington on Conclusion... should be a great spectator venue for any who care to come over... Saturday singles and Sunday Duals. 'A' skiers, please register by Wednesday of this week!

B Moguls / Freeride...

"First of all I would like to congratulate ALL of our competitors who competed this weekend. It was a frigid couple of days and kudos to those of you who persevered. Secondly I would like to tell all of you how proud I am of those who competed at Stratton. That was a steep A course with tight turns, big airs, with no transition into the jump and all on a 191 meter coarse (long).

Stratton Mountain Sunday-

Katie Craig was our lone female competitor with two K-A runs to take her to a sixth place finish, GREAT JOB!

Jace Provance was on the podium for his age group with a gold medal run, nineteenth overall, WAY TO GO JACEY BOY!

Sam Pawlak with some great skiing put him into the second round and a twenty first finish, SWEET!

Patrick Craig just missing the second round with awesome skiing and a thirty eighth finish, KEEP UP THE GOOD SKIING!

Kyle Kauffman laid one down just out of the second run by six spots with a forty first finish, WORKIN' ON THE TIGHT PACKAGE!

Christian Backe gets my vote for biggest air of the day off the top air, unfortunately he could not contain that massive amount of air and went down BUT he got up finished his run with some great skiing and a little more misfortune putting him respectively in sixtieth place. Way to stick with it. With some personal best on the hill I would just like to recognize. WAY TO GO OKEMO SKIERS.

I also want to remind everyone about the February Camp the 2nd through the 6th. I hope to see a bunch of you there. Have a great week see you soon!

Peace Out

Frankie P."

Thanks for the update, Frankie.

Joe Kaufman, aka "jOKEMO," aka Kyle's dad, was nice enough to film all of the competitors and post on his Youtube account... check 'em out! http://www.youtube.com/Jokemofreestyle

The B team is home this weekend, with Mt. Snow coming up the following weekend... ever wonder why this team is called "B Moguls / Freeride"??? Well, following the 2/7 Mt Snow B mogul comp, on 2/8 there is a B Slopestyle at Mt Snow, sound fun?!?

Fresh Start Crew...

"Go big or go home was the theme of the Fresh Start weekend! We spent some time on the brand new jump on Ledges, the sweet bumps on Punch Line and the smooth jump in the Dew Zone. Maggie gets the props for going the biggest, but everyone stepped it up a notch this weekend and tried to throw their biggest spreads ever. Nice job guys! Another big welcome to Mark, our newest addition to the Okemo Freestyle Family, who has showing off his ultimate carving and quick feet in the bumps. Lastly, many thanks to Coach RT who spent an afternoon leading us around the lesser known fun spots on Okemo" -Coach Giovanna

Thanks and have a great week!
Marks