CHUCK HOLCOMB

Years with SSRA: 11th
Years coaching: 15 winters/18 summers
Coaching experience: 1993-94 Berkshire East, Deerfield Academy, and University of Mass. Varsity Ski Teams, 1994-98 Schweitzer Alpine Racing School. (YSL Coordinator 1994-97/HC 1997-98), Summers 1990-2000 National Alpine Ski Camp, 1998-present SSRA (1998-99 Jr. HC/1999-present HC/PD), Summers 2001-present SSRA Summer Ski Camps (Mt. Hood Oregon, Saas-Fee, Switzerland)
Honors/Recognition: PNSA Outstanding Coach of the year 2000-2001
Certifications/Education: USSCA Level 300 (National Level, in previous system) Coach, PSIA Lvl. 3 certified, Training Director, Alpine Official (ref., chief of course). BGS in Organizational Leadership: Gonzaga University 2005, 2006 PNSA Coaches Symposium, MIT: Whitworth University 2008.

Posts: 2006-present PNSA ACC Chairman/Director of Alpine; 2003-2006 PNSA ACC YSL Working Group Chairman, 2002-2003 PNSA ACC Male Athlete Rep., EEYSL President 2004-2006, EEYSL Secretary 2000-2004
Racing Experience: 3-time Junior Olympian, Regional FIS (Eastern Cup/Rocky Mtn. Trophy Series), NCAA/NCSA collegiate racing, FIS University Games, NCAA Eastern Champs.
Occupations: Professional Ski Coach, Teacher
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, skipping rocks, and particle collision.
Greatest skiing memories: Skiing off the summit of Mt. Hood, training with US Men’s ski team at Norquay in 2000, Training SG next to the Norwegians in Switzerland
What does it take to succeed in racing? A passion for the sport, enjoyment in learning, hard work and a desire to risk failure in order to succeed. A will to persevere...a vocubulary without the word "quit", or the contraction, "can't". You can, and you will, if you stick with it and know it in your heart!!
Coaching philosophy: Share my love for the sport with others.

What motivates you as a ski coach? Competition and the pursuit of excellence. As a program director, I am motivated by the challenge of creating a team that embodies excellence in particiation, performance, and the experience of safe and fun learning, training, and competition.
What equipment do you use: Volkl skis, Tecnica boots, and Marker bindings 

Equipment advice: Try different things. Find out what is best for YOU. Boots are very personal. You should find one that fits snugly, but with a comfort level that allows you to enjoy yourself all of the time! Make sure that your boots are aligned properly. Try custom footbeds, adjust cuffs and adapt under-the-boot canting as necessary. This may make a profound difference in your skiing.

Favortie World Cup Skier: Jimmy Cochran

What is the funniest/strangest thing that you have seen/experienced while skiing? Setting a course around elk droppings in Canada.

GERRY FITZGERALD

Years with SSRA: 42
Years coaching: 44
Occupation: Audiologist
Coaching experience: Mt. Spokane Alpine Team-Head Coach 1964-66, SSRA 1966-present. Served as PNSA J3 JO Coach in 1960's and 1970's, Head PNSA Coach at Stratton, VT and Alpine Meadows, CA. Head Coach Fitzgerald Alpine Racing Team (F.A.R.T.)
Honors/Recognition: First ropeless solo ascent of Mt. Spokane (in my family)
Racing experience: Montezuma Basin, Colorado (12,000 feet). Junior racing thru collegiate, masters nationals, etc.
Hobbies: Rock + Roll
What does it take to succeed in this sport? Success will come with dedication and determination to reach a goal. NEVER QUIT, NEVER GIVE UP.
Coaching philosophy: Work, fun, work, fun, fun ....

What equipment do you use: Salomon

Favorite run at Mt. Spokane: Hourglass

Favorite World Cup Skier: Ringo

ELIZA MUSE

Years with SSRA: First year

Years coaching: 6

Coaching Experience: Juneau Ski Club Coach (6 years), Program Director ( 1 year)

Honors/Recognition: 4 time Team Alaska athlete; 1997 Alaska Cup Champion, Western Region Team 1996-1998

Certifications/Education: USSA Level 100, Referee 1

Racing Experience: Grew up racing in Alaska. Spent 1997-1998 with Banff Mtn. Academy. Raced in Western Region, Canadian, and Nor Am FIS races.
Hobbies: Fishing, spinning classes, running, SKIING!
Coaching philosophy: Train like you race, race like you train, but most importantly have a blast.
Do anything interesting this summer? Drove a whale watching catamaran in Alaska and had fun with all the tourists.
What is your favorite ski area other than Mt. Spokane? Eaglecrest, Alaska!

What equipment do you use? Volkl, Tecnica

What is the funniest/strangest thing that you have seen/experienced while skiing? An interference in a Junior Olympic Qualifier Slalom in Anchorage, AK--by a moose.

TOM ROTHROCK

Years with SSRA: 2nd year

Years coaching: 2

Honors/Recognition:

Racing Experience:
Hobbies:
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Do anything interesting this summer?
What is your favorite ski area other than Mt. Spokane?

What equipment do you use?

MARK BURANDT, HEAD COACH

Years with SSRA: 36
Years coaching/teaching: 26 years
Coaching/teaching experience: 1982-1985 SSRA Asst. Junior Coach, 1990-95 Gonzaga Ski Racing Team Head Coach, 1991-98 and 1999-present SSRA Coach. Experience coaching at YSL, DEVO, Junior (JO through Nor Am level) and Masters levels. 2000-Present SSRA Junior Development Head Coach
Certifications/Education: USSCA Level 200
Racing Experience: 13 years; Western Region Team, 4-time Junior Olympian
Honors/recognition: Qualified and competed in U.S. Junior Nationals 1978-1981
Occupation: Account Development Manager-Greeting Card Company
Hobbies: Soccer, biking and camping
Greatest skiing memory: Reaching 92 mph in downhill at Squaw Valley Junior Nationals
What does it take to succeed in this sport? Desire, drive, practice and talent
Coaching philosophy: All that I ask is that you put forth your best effort!
What motivates you as a ski coach? The enjoyment of seeing kids evolve into great athletes.
What ski equipment do you use? Fischer
Equipment advice: Make sure to consult someone who has good knowledge about ski racing before buying boots or skis.

Favorite World Cup Skier: Ingemar Stenmark

What is the funniest/strangest thing that you have seen/experienced while skiing? Mission Ridge downhill-Klev Shoening from Stevens Pass-did a helcopter off a bump doing 60 mph.

GARY PECK

Years with SSRA: 34
Years coaching: 29
Coaching experience: 28 years coaching with SSRA. The majority of my experience has been with Youth Ski League/Junior Development athletes, but I have spent several years coaching SSRA Juniors.
Coaching credentials: USSA Level 100 Coach
Occupation: Hospital Administrator
Hobbies: Skiing, biking, water skiing, hunting, ski patrolling
Greatest Skiing Memory: 1982 Buddy Werner Championships, we won it all!                 

What does it take to succeed in this sport? Fun, discipline, work ethic, family/coach support
Coaching philosophy: Go fast-take chances-win
What equipment do you use?Dynastar                                                                             

Equipment advice: your choice

Favorite run at Mt. Spokane: Exterminator

Favorite World Cup Skier: Ingemar Stenmark

JEREMY ANDERSON, HEAD COACH

Years with SSRA:
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What does it take to succeed in this sport?
Coaching philosophy:
Do anything interesting this summer?
What ski equipment do you use? Atomic skis, Atomic boot, Atomic poles

Favorite run at Mt. Spokane: Anything on the back side.                                           

Favorite World Cup Skier: Hermann Maier

 

JOE HAMILTON

Years with SSRA: 8th
Years coaching: 8th
Coaching experience: Coached SSRA YSL 5 years and SSRA INTRO 1 year.
Occupation: Transmission Mechanic
Hobbies: I love skiing, auto racing, dirt bike riding and hunting
Best skiing memory: Every memory is the greatest memory
What does it take to succeed in this sport? Condidence is what it takes to succeed in anything!
Coaching philosophy: Work hard and it will come to you!
Do anything interesting this summer? Rode from Batey Bould to Lake Gillette on dirt bikes-80 miles.
What ski equipment do you use? Atomic skis, Atomic boot, Atomic poles                 Favorite run at Mt. Spokane: Anything on the back side.                                            Favorite World Cup Skier: Hermann Maier

 

STEFAN BURANDT

Years with SSRA: 8
Years coaching/teaching: 2
Racing Experience: 7 years.
Honors/recognition: 2005-06 SSRA Course Crew Persperation Award
Occupation: Student
Hobbies: Skateboarding, computer programming
What does it take to succeed in this sport? Practice and desire.
Coaching philosophy: Stay focused and try your best.
What motivates you as a ski coach? I love to ski, what could be better than being on the mountain all winter?!
What ski equipment do you use? Fischer

What is the funniest/strangest thing that you have seen/experienced while skiing? Racing at the 2003 Buddy Werner Championships at Mt. Hood Meadows in 4 feet of powder.

ALEC FERRARO

Years with SSRA:

Years coaching: 2

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Do anything interesting this summer?
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ANDY WALKER, HEAD COACH

LEE ORGANICK

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Do anything interesting this summer?
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What equipment do you use?