JHSC Alpine | March Newsletter
An Interview with Olympic Gold Medalist & JHSC Alumna Breezy Johnson
Like all of you, we’ve been glued to the Olympics, cheering, texting, and celebrating every athlete. Watching Breezy Johnson stand on top of the podium in Cortina has been incredibly special for our entire JHSC community.
From training under the lights at Snow King to winning Olympic gold, Breezy’s journey reminds us what’s possible. We were lucky enough to catch up with our hometown hero for a quick interview, and her answers are pure gold. 🥇
Pictured above Breezy Johnson (far lookers left) smiling with JHSC Coaches and Athletes.
JHSC: When you were a JHSC athlete, did you ever imagine standing on top of an Olympic podium? What did that younger version of you believe about herself?
B: I definitely imagined it. I was a huge fan of ski racing and watched tons of races. I always wanted to be a four-event skier, and I was really into slalom back then, so I don’t know that I imagined it would be in Downhill. I also always wanted to go to the Olympics with my best ski friend, Megan, who came to Cortina, but as a spectator.
JHSC: What’s something about growing up and training with JHSC and on Snow King that shaped you into the skier you became?
B: I think the combination of skiing under the Snow King lights during the week and at the Village on the weekends really shaped me. That mix of speed and terrain knowledge taught me a lot as a skier.
JHSC: Were there any JHSC coaches who had a particularly meaningful impact on you when you were younger? What did they do or say that stuck with you?
B: I remember Megan Gherety working with me, and her advice about always working hard and always trying to be better and more hardworking than you were the day before has always stuck with me.
JHSC: If you could stand in the start gate again as a 12-year-old, what would you tell yourself right before pushing out?
B: I would say, keep working hard. It’s not easy, but you will find meaning in the days when you win, and even more in the days of work that become really impactful.
JHSC: When you won gold in Italy, what was going through your head, and what would surprise people most about how you actually celebrated?
B: It dawned on me slowly that I had won because I ran so early. I felt like I had skied my best, and that was all I could do. I thought a high 1:35 time was going to win. I had the same thought the previous year in Saalbach, so I hoped a low 1:36 would be enough to take it. And it was again, which was funny.
JHSC: Did you have any funny race-day habits when you were a JHSC kid, and did any of them make it all the way to the Olympic start gate in Italy?
B: I used to buy candy (my mom would give me a dollar for a snack during training), and I still eat a few Sour Patch Kids, the blue ones, in the start before I race today.
Thank you, Breezy! Congratulations on your gold medal!
We fully expect to see a suspicious number of blue Sour Patch Kids in start-gate pockets the remainder of the season.
February Updates!
FIS Update
It’s been a full and exciting stretch for our FIS athletes!
On February 5–6, the crew kicked off their season with their first FIS Super G races, stepping into speed with confidence and focus. From there, February 17–29 brought a trip to Utah for the FIS Elite Series, where the momentum continued.
Taylor Moe made an impressive comeback from injury, finishing 3rd and 2nd for U18’s in the two slalom races!
Charlie Lighthart and Jaden D’Amours both notched personal best results in Utah, showing growth, grit, and the payoff of their hard work.
Meanwhile, our Devo FIS crew headed to Mammoth for Super G races, gaining valuable speed experience. They embraced the challenge, pushed their comfort zones, and came away with meaningful learning moments (and plenty of fun along the way).
We’re proud of the progress, resilience, and competitive fire this group continues to show!
U16 Update
With races canceled at Bogus Basin, our U16 crew pivoted to Sun Valley for the Laura Flood Memorial Race Series. This special event honors the life of Laura Flood — a Sun Valley SEF alumna, University of Colorado ski racer, teammate, and friend who tragically lost her life in a training accident at age 19. The series is a meaningful opportunity for athletes to compete with heart and perspective.
Taryn Moe delivered an incredible performance, winning four of the six races and adding 2nd- and 3rd-place finishes in the slaloms, all while competing with a recently broken hand. Her dominant week secured the Overall Laura Flood Memorial Trophy, earning her name engraved on the historic award. What a statement of grit and determination.
Other strong performances included:
- Stella Zazzara – 12th (GS #1), 15th (GS #2)
- Mia Grohne – 15th (GS #2)
- Henry Schrauder – 15th (GS #2), 14th (SG #2)
- Phoebe Faris – 7th (SG #1 & SG #2)
U14 Update
Our U14 team has been lighting it up on the U14 circuit. Early February the girls raced 3 Sg’s at Tamarack (the boys sg’s were cancelled here). Makena Robbe took the win in SG #1 with a speedy and clean run and Francesca Lynch scored a 2nd place in SG #2!
Other great results!
Makena Robbe 1st SG#1, 8th SG#2, 7th SG#3
Francesca Lynch 6th SG#1, 2nd SG#2, 14th SG#3
Neve Hudacsko 5th SG#1, 9th SG#2, 8th SG#3
Charlotte Gorski 12 SG#1, 13th SG #2
Alet Japel 14th SG#1
Daisy Faris 11th SG #3
The final races of the month for the U14’s were in Park City, UT at the David Wright Memorial Series. Zachary Lighthart lit it up placing 3rd in both a Slalom and a GS race!
Other fantastic results!
Daisy Faris 13th SL #1, 14th GS #1, 8th GS#2
Zachary Lighthart 3rd SL #2, 3rd GS #1
Neve Hudacsko 5th GS#1, 6th GS #2
Makena Robbe 9th GS#1, 13th GS #2
Benedict Zorkendorfer 6th GS#2
Angus Peightal 14th GS#2
Anders Falk 15th GS#2
Alet Japel 11th GS#2
U12 Update
We kicked off and wrapped up the month with IMD N Series races, starting at Rotarun and finishing strong at Tamarack. In between, we packed in Club Series races at White Pine and JHMR, making for a full and fun race calendar.
There were epic powder nights at Snow King, high-energy Saturdays at JHMR, and a whole lot of progress happening every single week. This crew is putting in the work, and it shows.
Special shoutout to Jackson Bacon for taking the win in GS at Tamarack to close out February! Way to finish the month on top. 👊🎉
2-Day & Rockchuck
2-Day & Rockchuck have had a great month. The great conditions on Snow King for freeskiing, followed by afternoon slalom practices on stubby courses, have shown so much improvement. It’s been so fun to watch the team skiing well and having a blast.
Four of our athletes raced slalom at Teton Village last weekend, and they crushed it!
The season is flying by, our last practice is Saturday, March 14th.
Don’t forget: Sunday, March 8th is the Parent/Athlete Dual GS at Snow King. All athletes and parents are invited, it’s always a highlight! We’ll be setting a GS course this Saturday so athletes can get familiar ahead of time.
Upcoming Races
- March 8th: Parent-Athlete Dual GS Club Series
The Parent-Kid Dual Club Series will be held on March 8th. This is a fantastic opportunity for families to come together and compete in a fun, friendly atmosphere. Grab your race skis, get ready for some great times, and enjoy a day of spirited competition with your child!
- March 13-15th: Jackson Hole Downhill
The Jackson Hole Downhill will take place from March 13th - 15th. This event will be open to athletes from U14 and up, providing a thrilling downhill experience on the world-renowned slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Both Saturday and Sunday will feature exciting races that are sure to challenge even the most seasoned competitors.
- March 20-22: IMD Champs at JHMR!
From March 20th - 22nd, JHMR will host the IMD Champs. Come out and cheer on our local athletes!
- March 28-April 1, U16 Nationals at Snow King. Come join the fun in cheering on our athletes during the National event. Athletes will be coming from all over the country!
You Have to Read This ➤ Bode Miller: The Mental Preparation of a World Champion
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:
- 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…
"Some days in the saddle are confidence. Some days are fear, doubt, and that quiet voice asking 'what if?'... But grit is choosing to ride anyway". -Breezy Johnson, Olympic Gold Medalist and JHSC Alumna
