Ford, Kasper receive the east’s Golden Ski Award

American alpine racers Julia Ford and Nolan Kasper were awarded the 2009 Don A. Metivier Golden Ski Award today by the Eastern Ski Writers Association (ESWA). The awards were presented during a ceremony at the New England Ski Museum in Franconia, New Hampshire.

The award originated in 1969 and was recently named after longtime ski journalist Don A. Metivier. In the 1960s the Golden Ski was awarded to the top male and female skiers in the East. The ski was lost in 1975, ending the tradition. In 2007 the New England Ski Museum received a donation of skiing memorabilia including the Golden Ski. Upon the skis return the ESWA reintroduced the award as a junior honor. 

“It gives ESWA and I great pleasure to recognize the top Eastern junior skiers for 2009 with this unique award,” said Jim Gregory, chairperson for the Golden Ski Award. “Both Julia and Nolan possess the determination, skills and talent, as their results indicate, to be worthy of this honor.”

“This award would not be possible without the continued help of ESWA members Peggy Shinn and Lisa Densmore, and is made possible by funds donated by Doyle Communications” added Gregory. “I look forward to presenting this award for many more years, assuming, the ski doesn’t disappear again.”

As Ski Racing’s female junior of the year Ford received the honor for the second consecutive season. During this her third season on the U.S. Team Ford continued her assault on the junior circuit, nearly sweeping the junior competitions at the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships in Alyeska, Alaska. She was the fastest junior in both the giant slalom and slalom, and second fastest in the downhill. All while finishing in the top ten of all competitors in each of the three races.

Ford also claimed the Nor-Am Cup super combined title and secured enough points to become the runner-up in the overall standings. 

“This is a really cool award to win and does a lot of great things for skiing in the east,” said Ford. “Last year it was pretty unexpected since the actual award had been lost for so long, but now that it’s getting established again, the Eastern skiers are gunning for it. I’m proud to represent the east, this is a big honor.”

Kasper also made his mark on the season, grabbing a Junior Worlds bronze medal for his performance in the slalom. He continued his run for the top by winning a junior slalom national title in Alyeska. He also claimed the junior bronze in the giant slalom and second overall in the combined.

“It’s pretty awesome to be recognized for an award that’s been around so long,” said Kasper. “I had a pretty solid season last year and my progression with the U.S. Ski Team is right were I want it to be. It’s cool to see the hard work pay off.”

Past Golden Ski recipients:
1969: Tyler Palmer, Karen Middleton
1970: Charles Bent, Karen Middleton
1971: Judy McNealus, Rod Taylor
1972: Jody Palmer, Laurent Gaudin
1973: Jerry McNealus, No female winner
1974: No award
1975: Holly Flanders, Scott Light
1976-2007: Award Lost
2008: Bump Heldman, Julia Ford
2009: Nolan Kasper, Julia Ford

American alpine racers Julia Ford and Nolan Kasper were awarded the 2009 Don A. Metivier Golden Ski Award today by the Eastern Ski Writers Association (ESWA). The awards were presented during a ceremony at the New England Ski Museum in Franconia, New Hampshire.

The award originated in 1969 and was recently named after longtime ski journalist Don A. Metivier. In the 1960s the Golden Ski was awarded to the top male and female skiers in the East. The ski was lost in 1975, ending the tradition. In 2007 the New England Ski Museum received a donation of skiing memorabilia including the Golden Ski. Upon the skis return the ESWA reintroduced the award as a junior honor. 

“It gives ESWA and I great pleasure to recognize the top Eastern junior skiers for 2009 with this unique award,” said Jim Gregory, chairperson for the Golden Ski Award. “Both Julia and Nolan possess the determination, skills and talent, as their results indicate, to be worthy of this honor.”

“This award would not be possible without the continued help of ESWA members Peggy Shinn and Lisa Densmore, and is made possible by funds donated by Doyle Communications” added Gregory. “I look forward to presenting this award for many more years, assuming, the ski doesn’t disappear again.”

As Ski Racing’s female junior of the year Ford received the honor for the second consecutive season. During this her third season on the U.S. Team Ford continued her assault on the junior circuit, nearly sweeping the junior competitions at the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships in Alyeska, Alaska. She was the fastest junior in both the giant slalom and slalom, and second fastest in the downhill. All while finishing in the top ten of all competitors in each of the three races.

Ford also claimed the Nor-Am Cup super combined title and secured enough points to become the runner-up in the overall standings. 

“This is a really cool award to win and does a lot of great things for skiing in the east,” said Ford. “Last year it was pretty unexpected since the actual award had been lost for so long, but now that it’s getting established again, the Eastern skiers are gunning for it. I’m proud to represent the east, this is a big honor.”

Kasper also made his mark on the season, grabbing a Junior Worlds bronze medal for his performance in the slalom. He continued his run for the top by winning a junior slalom national title in Alyeska. He also claimed the junior bronze in the giant slalom and second overall in the combined.

“It’s pretty awesome to be recognized for an award that’s been around so long,” said Kasper. “I had a pretty solid season last year and my progression with the U.S. Ski Team is right were I want it to be. It’s cool to see the hard work pay off.”

Past Golden Ski recipients:
1969: Tyler Palmer, Karen Middleton
1970: Charles Bent, Karen Middleton
1971: Judy McNealus, Rod Taylor
1972: Jody Palmer, Laurent Gaudin
1973: Jerry McNealus, No female winner
1974: No award
1975: Holly Flanders, Scott Light
1976-2007: Award Lost
2008: Bump Heldman, Julia Ford
2009: Nolan Kasper, Julia Ford