JHSC Alpine | February Newsletter

Race Season Update

Race season is officially in full swing, and January brought some fantastic results for our alpine athletes! We are incredibly proud of the effort, focus, and resilience shown across all age groups.

A huge thank you to our coaches, who continue to show up every day to motivate, support, and guide our athletes through training and competition. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.

Alpine Athlete Pre & Post-Race Interviews

We’re excited to introduce a new feature highlighting our athletes and their race-day mindset. These short interviews give a glimpse into how our racers prepare, stay confident, and have fun on race day.

U14 Qualifier Spotlight

Athlete: Makenna Robbe’s pre-race vibes!

Q: What’s your mindset going into the U14 Qualifier?

“Not overthinking it and just having fun and enjoying myself.”

Q: What’s one thing you do on race day that nobody knows about you?

“I like to sing ‘Footloose’ while I’m in the course.”

Wild West GS Spotlight

Athlete: Lucy Wirth wins her first FIS GS & SL Races! 

Q: After winning the first run of GS, how were you able to win the second run and the race? What were you thinking about in the start?

LW: “I tried to stay as calm and positive as I could. I knew that if I did the same thing as the first run, it would all work out. I stuck to the same routine, visualization, warm-up, and sticking to the plan. It all worked out!” 

Way to go, Lucy! Four podiums (and 2 wins) during the Wild West FIS Series!

Wes Barron SG Spotlight

Athlete mindsets going into the Wes Barron SG races?

“Be open minded and have fun no matter what happens -Ida Lantier

“I feel optimistic going into the race after the great training we’ve had.” -Henry Schrauder
 

What’s one thing you do on race day that nobody knows about you?

“The night before a race I listen to anything by Rhianna.” -Sydney Beck

“Right before I start a race I look at the mountains and take a deep breath.” -Lily Overcast
 

Athlete Spotlight: Finley Peightal wins her first SG race!

Q: Leading into your winning run, what was your mindset and race strategy?

FP: “I did more visualization throughout the day, more of every aspect of the course. I told myself to kep it light and have fun. I kept it simple and went for it!” 

Alpine Athlete Results Are In: A Strong January!

Congratulations to all JHSC athletes for showing up, giving your best effort, and bringing positive energy to a race-filled January!
 

Shoutout to Jaden D’Amours for his U18 SL 1st place at Palisades Tahoe!

Ski for Syro Day - In Loving Memory of Mike Syrovatka (1968-2025)

Ski for Syro Day was filled with love, laughter, and shared memories as our community came together to honor beloved coach Mike Syrovatka. For 14 years at JHSC, Mike poured his heart into coaching and mentoring young athletes. His impact on our skiers, and our community, will be felt forever.

Thank You Volunteers & Race Department!

We want to extend a huge thank you to the many volunteers who made it possible for JHSC to host races this season. December and January were incredibly busy, and we know how big of an ask it is to fill 10–12 volunteer roles each day, thank you for showing up and supporting our athletes.

A special shoutout to our Race Department Director, Sean Hines, and all of our race crew coaches for running outstanding events and creating incredible race surfaces for our athletes. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

Picture: Seen here Kelly Gorski having a blast while she organizes racers bibs during the Wild West FIS Series. 

​​You Have to Read This ➤ 7 Lessons From Ski Racing 

This short read perfectly captures why ski racing is about so much more than podiums and results. Whether you’re a parent watching from the sidelines or an athlete pushing through a tough training block, this article hits home.

A few takeaways you’ll recognize immediately:

• Ski racing teaches resilience — learning to bounce back from mistakes and tough days
• Effort and attitude matter more than results, both on the hill and in life
• Competition builds confidence, accountability, and independence
• The friendships and support systems created through racing last far beyond the season

If you’ve ever wondered how ski racing shapes young people for life beyond the sport, this is a great reminder of why the process matters so much.

👉Worth the read for both parents and athletes.

Finish Line Thought…

“Of course, in ski racing you’ll have terrible days. You’ll lose the race. You’ll fall. A lot. But as Lindsey Vonn said, ‘when you fall, get right back up.’”