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From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: T2 Foundation

  • World Cup Dreams Foundation Awards Two Nordic Athletes

    World Cup Dreams Foundation Awards Two Nordic Athletes

    For the past decade, the World Cup Dreams Foundation has been helping to fund skiers, of all ages and disciplines, as they chase their goals on snow. In the spring of 2021, the World Cup Dreams Foundation merged with the T2 Foundation, perhaps better known in the Nordic community because of its support of the SMS T2 team. Now working together the two organizations aim to “keep the best athletes in the game, not just the best athletes who have the means to pursue their dreams.”

    Recently, the World Cup Dreams Foundation announced its November Grant recipients, having received more than 150 applications from athletes in all disciplines. Sixteen grant recipients were chosen to receive $1,500 each to help offset the costs of training and competing.

    “We were impressed by the range of athletes that applied. It speaks to our reach in the world of snowsports and skiing and also to the great need in the community for financial support. We want to help give athletes and families that extra boost to keep at it because as we all know keeping athletes involved is the only way to move them up the pipeline,” Tommy Biesemeyer, Executive Director of World Cup Dreams said. 

    Two of the sixteen recipients are cross-country skiers and FasterSkier reached out to each athlete to learn more about them and their goals.

    Neve Gerard racing at Soldier Hollow representing MBSEF (courtesy photo)

    Neve Gerard lives in Bend, OR and she wrote, “I am a second year U16. I have been playing in the woods on skis since I was little, but started actually training when I was 14.” Her goals for the season are to improve technique, make every race a positive experience and a top five finish at Junior Nationals. When asked about how this grant will help her achieve these goals Neve wrote, “This grant is such a huge help for me and my family to achieve my goals! The money will cover my trip to Junior Nationals which is so exciting for me. I am so grateful I was chosen for the grant!”

    Garrett Butts enjoying Hatcher Pass in sunlight (courtesy photo)

    The second Nordic athlete to be awarded the grant is Garrett Butts who is skiing with APU. Garrett is in his first season as a U23 and he says, “as the story goes, my first steps were on skis, so I’ve been skiing for as long as I can remember.” When asked about his goals for this season Garrett wrote, “My overarching goal for the season is to see some good progress, and validate that all the hard, diligent work I’ve been doing is paying off. This season is an interesting one to try to outline result based goals because of the season we all faced last year with COVID. In a sense it’s hard to gauge where you stack up against the competition until you go head to head, which I have yet to do on a national level this season. Nonetheless, I have many goals for this season including being named to the U23 World Championship team, ticking off some top 10’s in SuperTour races, and generally putting myself in a place to be in the fight for the top positions against the nation’s best skiers.”

    Achieving these goals requires significant travel, training and more which as he pointed out, has its costs. When asked about how this grant will help him to achieve his goals Garrett wrote, “Simply put, receiving this grant helps my skiing now by allowing me to go to these events.  As a full time student/ athlete, I have a very narrow time window to be able to work to pay for life’s costs. This grant also helps my skiing future because it means I can spend more time training and less time on the jobsite. The generous support of groups and individuals such as the World Cup Dreams Foundation, makes chasing my dreams and aspirations possible, and for that I am deeply grateful!” 

    Garrett Butts racing hard in Anchorage (courtesy photo)

    In a sport with a high price tag to buy in and many annual expenses, the support from groups like the World Cup Dreams Foundation can be crucial for athletes as they climb the performance ladder. Keep an eye out for the names Neve Gerard and Garrett Butts on result sheets this winter as they chase their skiing dreams, aided by the World Cup Dream Foundation grant.

  • Newell and Diggins Talk Skiing, Fitness And Olympics With YMCA Summer Camp Kids In Brooklyn

    Newell and Diggins Talk Skiing, Fitness And Olympics With YMCA Summer Camp Kids In Brooklyn

    Andy Newell working with YMCA campers on July 19 in Brooklyn, N.Y.  Photo by Katie Osgood.

    Press Release

    T2 FOUNDATION/U.S. SKI TEAM ATHLETES ANDY NEWELL AND JESSIE DIGGINS TALK SKIING, FITNESS AND OLYMPICS WITH YMCA SUMMER CAMP KIDS IN BROOKLYN

    Brooklyn, New York – As the world gears for the summer Olympic games in London, T2 Foundation and U.S. Ski Team members Jessie Diggins and Andy Newell met with YMCA campers to talk about what it takes to be a world-class athlete, the importance of fitness and the meaning of team spirit, while introducing kids to cross-country skiing.

    The event was organized by the T2 Foundation, a non-profit committed to supporting elite athletes and inspiring youth, SIA, the trade association for snow sports, which is interested in promoting all aspects of cross-country skiing and the YMCA, which is committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.

    Over 140 campers age 7-12 took part in the event.

    Before learning a series of exercises Jessie and Andy use in their everyday training, like critter crawls and various types of bounding with ski poles, the group gathered for a talk about being a World Cup athlete and Olympian. They watched a video of the athletes racing this winter and they got a show and tell of cross-country equipment. The crowd went wild when Andy strapped on his roller skis and raced around the indoor track.

    “Go around the track, go around the track!” they chanted.

    “The event was a total success. The kids loved meeting Andy and Jessie and having the chance to interact with them. Hopefully, the kids will be inspired and carry the experience with them,” Marina Knight, Director of the T2 Foundation said.

    “It was super exciting to show a sport like cross-country skiing to some kids, who probably hadn’t seen much skiing before or participated in many winter sports activities,” Newell said.

    Jessie Diggins walks with YMCA campers on July 19 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Photo: Katie Osgood.

    “Even though most of the kids hadn’t heard of skiing before or tried it, they were eager to try out new equipment and learn ski walking and bounding, as well as be active and try out new exercises,” Diggins added.

    One of the goals at the outset of the event was to keep the kids moving for about 30 minutes, to get them to experience the endurance side of the sport.

    “I was stoked with the energy of the kids. Children that age love to run around and play games. I think it was fun for them to see what cross-country skiing was. The look on their faces when they saw how fast the roller skis could go on the track was pretty classic. They where psyched. Whether they were into cross-country skiing or not though, I think it was beneficial for them to hang out with some Olympians and get some exercises,” he added.

    “I hope they take away the idea that anything is possible as long as you set high goals and work hard. When I meet with kids, the message I try to get across is to stay active every day, even if it’s just playing outside go get some exercise and have some fun,” Newell said.

    “I hope that we were able to inspire the kids to keep on being active, and to remember the more you practice sports, the better you get and the more fun it is,” Diggins said.

    About the T2 Foundation

    At the T2 Foundation, we believe in the power of sport.
    Our mission is to help America’s elite skiers reach their dreams, and to connect the athletes we support with youth around the country. In doing so, we aim to spark inspiration in the lives of young people, and instill qualities the pursuit of sport builds.

    The T2 Foundation supports athletes competing in Olympic snow sports, including alpine, Nordic and freestyle skiing.
    Founded in 2006, the T2 Foundation has provided financial support to over 40 different athletes, helping them achieve their dreams. Those athletes have given back to the ski and youth communities as positive role models, sparking inspiration in kids.
    The T2 Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

    Visit t2foundation.com.

    About the YMCA of Greater New York

    The YMCA of Greater New York is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves New York City’s health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In scores of neighborhoods across the five boroughs and its camp upstate, the Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower more than 400,000 New Yorkers to learn, grow and thrive. Visit ymcanyc.org.