Spokane Ski & Snowboard Racing Association
“The Best in the Inland Northwest Since 1960!”
Spokane Ski & Snowboard Racing Association
P.O. Box 141005
Spokane , WA 99214
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March, 30, 2006
Spokane Ski Racing Association (S.S.R.A) Ski Racer, Tyler Tran takes the gold medal in the Chevy Trucks Western Region J4 Festival Slalom. Tran Qualifies for Sierra Wireless 2006 Whistler Cup International Juvenile Ski Races!
S.S.R.A. Ski Racer, Sierra Schrankel wins a bronze medal in the Chevy Trucks Western Region J4 Festival Slalom
S.S.R.A Ski Racer, Blake Bledsoe posts two top-fifteen finishes in the Chevy Trucks Wester Region J3 Junior Olympics
Contacts: Chuck Holcomb: (509) 979-7499, chholcomb@hotmail.com
SSRA Program Director/Head Coach
Mark Burandt: (509) 999-6740, (509) 448-4165
SSRA Junior Development Head Coach
For athlete contact information/additional photos: contact Chuck Holcomb
Tyler Tran of Otis Orchards, WA overcame a four-tenths first-run deficit to claim victory and the gold medal in the Western Region J4 Festival Slalom on March 26 th at Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon . Tran, a 12 year-old, 7 th grader at Mountain View Middle School in Newman Lake, qualified for the event by winning the Pacific Northwest Ski Association's Buddy Werner Championships Slalom at Mt. Spokane on February 12 th .
The Western Region J4 Festival includes the best 11-12 year olds from each of the five Western Region divisions: Pacific Northwest, Far West, Intermountain, Alaska and Northern. “In essence, Tyler had an opportunity to compete with the fastest 12 years-olds that the Western United States can offer. In the J4 Festival, he proved that he is the best slalom skier, and potentially, the best giant slalom skier as well. He was clearly the fastest slalom skier out there. And, he led the giant slalom after the first run, before having trouble during the second run, by six-tenths of a second…a large margin in ski racing,” commented Chuck Holcomb, Spokane Ski and Snowboard Racing Association Program Director and Head Coach. “By winning this event, Tyler has the opportunity to represent the United States in the prestigious Whistler Cup. I believe that with a good seed, Tyler can threaten for medals in two events,” Holcomb added.
Tyler Tran- Western Region J4 Slalom Champion and Gold Medalist
SSRA has not had an athlete in the Whistler Cup since 2000, when Will Brandenburg qualified. Brandenburg went on to win a bronze medal for the United States . “ Tyler , like Will, is the kind of kid that can accomplish anything in the sport. Tyler is a hard worker and tough mentally. These attributes help him make the most of his talent and natural athletic ability,” stated Holcomb.
The Whistler Cup takes place in Whistler, British Columbia , Canada from April 3-9, 2006. Athletes from 20 nations will compete in the event. Tran is the only representative from the Pacific Northwest and one of only six J4 boys from the United States selected to compete.
On the girls side, SSRA athlete Sierra Schrankel , a 12-year-old Spokane resident and 7 th grader at Glover Middle School took the bronze medal in the girls slalom. Schrankel was sitting in 4 th after the first run. After some difficulty early in her second run, Sierra put an amazing run together on the lower course and moved into the medals.
“This was truly a gutsy performance from Sierra. After holding back on her first run, she really gave it everything in the second run. She took chances. Some paid off. Had she not had trouble at the top of her second run, she might easily be joining Tyler in Whistler. Sierra is one of the best slalom skiers in the country for her age.,” remarked Holcomb.
Sierra Schrankel- Western Region J4 Festival Slalom Bronze Medalist
In the Chevy Trucks Western Region J3 Junior Olympic competition, S.S.R.A. racer, Blake Bledsoe , finished 11 th in the Super G and 15 th in the Giant Slalom. Bledsoe, a 13 year-old from Liberty Lake , was the top male finisher from SSRA in the event.
“Although a bit disappointed by the results, Blake persevered in tough conditions. Blake knows that he is capable of winning at the regional level. With focused hard work, you will see him on the podium,” commented Holcomb.