Quick Mak Updtate

Loyal readers,
We had a tough incident with Makayla Tierney on day 2 of our trip, but as you can see below, she is comfy in a nest of pillows and being catered to by her girls. We stayed off the hill yesterday to make sure she was comfy and positively engaged.
The day was otherwise spent learning German, eating good food, sightseeing and, for James and I, some skateboarding.
We head up to the mountain today for a film session, then we pack up for home.
More detailed blog coming tonight!



IF THERE IS A SKATEPARK AROUND, JAMES WILL FIND IT



MAKAYLA ENJOYING AUSTRIAN BREAKFAST IN BED

Freedom Fries in Austria

JAMES BUGGIN OUT


Day one could not have gone over better! As I mentioned in the last post, yesterday was a bit overcast. Today's skies were clear and blue, giving us breathtaking views of the Alps. What a contrast to New England riding! The Austrian Alps are awe-inspiring. Massive, sheer rock faces with hanging glaciers and granite spires tower over us.
Veronika, the lady who runs our hotel, made us a great breakfast and the chatter was positive and entertaining. We then hit registration where we were told we were the US representatives for this event. We made sure to mention that we are the SMS Americans. The media folk loved the crew and requested an interview session at 5 tonight (10 minutes away).
The drive to the resort was really cool. Quaint villages, livestock, churches and clean streets, fields and rivers. The road up is a bit hairy as its curvy and narrow. As we drove up the road we spotted a building perched atop an intimidating granite peak. It was scary just to look up at it. We soon realized that it was the gondola building and the cable ran exposed up to it, over a thousand-foot drop. Needless to say the ride up was intense!
GONDOLA RIDE WITH SERENA



Lets get to the snowboarding part, right? The course is mellow, but fun (butter box, 3 jump line, wallride). James and Eric stepped right to it and have lines planned already. I took the girls to warm up on a small 3 jump line. There was some evident rust in our skills, but we diamond stoned it right off. After getting some style and spins back we headed to the comp line. I had the girls ride through while I checked the speed. Right when the girls were reved up to hit the line, they closed it for maintenance. Oh well, they will have no problem with the line tomorrow. We spent the next hour or so running the mini parks and filming rails.
MAKAYLA TIERNEY

Clouds rolled in by that time the crew was full of snowboard action so we headed to the lodge perched on the precipice to enjoy this team's favorite food, Freedom Fries!

Safe in Austria

We arrived in Austria without trouble and are bedding down in a nice chalet in Schladming. Our house master is a nice lady my age who has already taken to the crew. She is impressed with their behavior and travel savvy. Her name is Veronika and she runs a fat camp here in the summer so she has all sorts of recipes for us starting tomorrow. The town of Schladming is quaint with amazing views of the Alps looming over us. The streets are narrow, non-grid, and mostly one-ways. I ran many of them the wrong way looking for the hotel and was relieved to hear no horns honking or curses yelled at me (even though many locals were in my path).
We enjoyed a team dinner, schnitznel and pizza, with Danger and Ty Walker. Now the crew is getting prepped for day one on snow (I can hear the girls talking about how excited they are). Should be a nice night, augmented by Alpine fresh air.
Somewhat overcast today so the cameras were not put to use yet. Lots of good photos and footage on the way. More tomorrow!

So Close Now

INDIA STEPHENSON

Awoke to see the snow guns blazing up on Stratton. There was snow in the bed of my car too, not sure if it blew down from the guns or if some natural fell last night. There have already been 3 or 4 rail jams in VT, with more lined up each weekend from here on. Winter is just about here and the kids are dying to ride. Gotta keep on top of the schoolwork for a few more weeks though!
Next week a small crew of slope riders head to Austria for the Horsefeathers Pleasure Jam. Eric B, James Haffner, India, Serena, Phoebe and Makayla head out on Tuesday for a European Mission. We will be running a jump line our first days on snow. This crew of riders can step right to it, and after a focused two months of dryalnd, they are fit for the trip.
India has been working on getting product support from ROME, and she sent me her resume last night. She sent three or four photos, all of which showcase her budding style. The FRONTSIDE WALLRIDE shot at the top really caught my eye. Skate style! Wish her luck in her sponsorship pursuit and wish us all luck in Austria!

Skate Team Grows and Evolves

As soccer, cross-country and cross fit teams wrap up for the season, the skateboard team has accepted all comers and now fields over 11 members. New additions include:
CHIP LINTON


JAMIE CHARRON




As for the original members, they are learning new tricks daily and developing as skaters and classmates. Connor Hudson blew my mind yesterday with a HURRICANE on tranny (pool coping even!).


RANDALL STACY lives by the motto "Git Tricks or Die Tryin'". And the tricks he's choosin, OMG! Switch frontside 50-50s and straight-up BLUNT-TO-FAKIE:


Team Inspiration JAMES HAFFNER continues to be the one we all look to and admire for his style, nerve and equanimity. Check this BACK-LIP on the Jersey Barrier.

James has been with the skate team since day one. Last night I began to lament his passing, months before graduation. He has been the spirit of the program (along with Shimpeno), and, like Shimp, he will be sorely missed next year. Same goes for Randall Stacy, who has offered blood, sweat and no tears to each session. That leaves Hunter, Hudson and Tierney to take the helm and motivate the team with tricks, courage and positive vibes.

Skate Team Fundraiser for Mike Schwarz

DOORGIRLS PHOEBE AND MAKAYLA


The SMS Skate Team threw a fundraising skate competition at the SMS park last night. A lack of a local skate series means we have to put on our own events, and this one went off! Proceeds from the event are going to local skater/snowboarder Mike Schwarz. Mike was riding for the UVM snowboard team last year before a traumatic head injury put him into a coma for several months. Skaters from all over VT showed up to support the cause, including state legends Jerry Tucker, Tyler Lynch and the Ludlites. Guest judges Huck Gibson and Lucas Magoon made sure everything was legit and tricks were clean.

GUEST JUDGE LUCAS MAGOON



The comps consisted of a game of S.K.A.T.E., a 13 and under street jam and a night-ending mini-ramp jam. The final round for the game of S.K.A.T.E. was heavy. Connor Hudson, Tyler Lynch, Huck Gibson, Zed, and Danny Dockum battled it out with Tyler coming out on top. Local skate enthusiast and Kirk's Skatecamp sole team rider Jake Gaudet took the jr street comp. By the time the mini-ramp comp started there were close to 50 skaters mobbing the park to live metal music. This was the first live show the skatepark has seen and what a way to start the tradition! Scotty J, Mike Mallon and Brett Hines ripped through metal instrumentals, fueling the spirits of the frenzied skaters.

THE BAND




There were some hardcore skaters in the mini-ramp comp, but none could outshine Jerry Tucker. It is always a pleasure to watch Jerry skate. The fact that the skilled line-up of skaters in the comp could not hold a candle to Jerry speaks volumes about his talent. His character was on display also when he gave up his cash prize to the Mike Schwarz donation jar.

UPSTANDING CITIZEN JERRY TUCKER



Thanks for all the support from Shut Skates, Gatorade, Vermont Skateboards, Nick at Podium, the metal band, and Team Tierney on the grill and at the door.





ONE OF LUDLOW'S FINEST, ED DOTTAVIO

One More Autumnal Update

The foliage in VT may be a cliche to some people. The winter may be the priority for many up here. Myself I have always loved the fall the most and this year is one of the best in memory. Wednesday's sunrise county road loop may have been the highlight. Just to see the glowing-orange-tunnel-like-canopy over the county road dirt as we pass the Tierney/Powers compound is a compelling passage. The running is easy after so many laps this year and even the mighty Brazer's Way hill was pretty comfortable. The air was cold but the view made it all painless. Perhaps your children have a different experience but I promise they will cherish the memories. Regardless of their perspective or appreciation of a new england vista they are all in better physical shape than they arrived in.
They have survived the Anotomical Adaptation period of the first five weeks of dryland training. They are well adjusted to the schedule. Their reps will now decrease, and the weights used will be heavier. The focus of the training is still functional strength and mobilty, implementing games as often as possible to keep the movements real and the motivation high but everything is now more intense.
Parents weekend was great. It really is nice to see everyone's families in town and on campus. All of our new community members are into the swing and today we have wrapped up the registration for all prequalified Rev Tour athletes. USSA had a few old email addresses but the loose ends are tied. It feels good to be in sync with the season. Tuesday the next round of spots will be taken on a first come first served basis. If your son or daughter has a rev tour event on his/her schedule please make sure your coach has their USSA and FIS license numbers and a CC to use for registration. The coaching staff will do the online registrations for these events.( and in general ONLY these events.)
Today at 4:00 pm the SMS Skate Team is hosting a Contest/Fundraiser at our Skatepark. Funds raised will be given to the family of Micheal Schwarz to help defray the costs of his ongoing care. Mike suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in last spring's World Quarterpipe Championships. He is a southern VT. Local and close friend of SMS Snowboard Coaches Scotty J and Ian Kirk. Any donations should be directed to ikirk@gosms.org.