With sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains, the 14th Annual SkiTAM set up shop in Vail, CO on April 9-12, 2009 to raise money and awareness for the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. 

SkiTAM Fundraises for USAST
SkiTAM is the single largest source of support for the team, and provides half the operating budget for USAST, which allows the adaptive skiers to train and compete throughout the ski season. This year’s SkiTAM events raised more than $1 million through team and event sponsorships, as well as individual registrations.

Extra financial support was also needed this year, since USAST is headed to the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver. 

Adaptive Sports Events
SkiTAM provides an opportunity for adaptive skiers to show off their alpine skills on adaptive equipment, including monoskis and bi-skis.

According to SkiTAM, other highlights from this year’s events include:

• 48 Ski Teams and 240 racers, with top awards going to NBC Universal, Team Luke (Vogel) and Time Warner  in the Competitive Division and Retirement Living TV, SeaChange International and Sigma Systems/CAS Group in the Sport Division.

• 966 cable industry professionals and their families traveled to Vail, Colorado to support the USAST through their participation in the three-day event. 

• 55 Youth Racers, with top awards going to Kate and Nick Kirwood in the “8 & under” group, Gabrielle Trueblood and Andrew Wilson in the “9-12” group and to Mariah Zanka and Kevin Sangston in the “13 & Over” group.   

• Mariah Zanka as part of the Sadler & Dorchester team and Mike Trueblood, Comcast, racing for NBC Universal, scored the fastest race times at 23.77 and 27.52 seconds respectively.

• The SkiTAM Silent Auction raised $53,000 for the Athlete Partnership Program.    

• This year’s SkiTAM also featured a discussion with industry leaders on marketing to the “echo generation,” a Passover Second Seder and an Easter egg hunt.

• 14 companies have already pledged nearly $270,000 in sponsorships for the 15th Annual SkiTAM, which will be held in Vail Colorado, April 8-11, 2010 

To learn more about the sponsors of the event or see pictures of the racers in Vail, visit SkiTAM’s website.  You may also find information about USAST racers on U.S. Adaptive Ski Team’s website.

Photo caption: Myhren Media was one of 48 Ski Teams racing in this year’s SkiTAM, which attracted 966 registrants and raised over $1 million for the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team through team and event sponsorships and individual registrations.

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