New youth committee begins ambitious agenda

By Published On: March 7th, 2007Comments Off on New youth committee begins ambitious agenda

On the eve of the group’s first official meeting, International Alpine Youth and Children’s Committee Chairman Ken Read said he was hopeful the organization would be able to impact the sport.
ON THE EVE of the group’s first official meeting, International Alpine Youth and Children’s Committee Chairman Ken Read said he was hopeful the organization would be able to impact the sport.
    “We’ve always had a [youth] questions committee,” said Read, but the procedure for getting recommendations moved forward into policy was tiresome. The new committee will make its recommendations directly to the International Ski Federation and is charged with examining rules, equipment and race types. “Of particular importance,” said Read, “is moving young alpine athletes up to national champions and international medals winners. We have to make sure it [alpine ski racing] remains a sport of choice.”
    Read, the CEO of Alpine Canada Alpin, said the dropout of skiers from junior ranks is not exclusive to North America and added that issues of education and safety are also concerns throughout Europe.
    “There are also concerns where equipment is appropriate. As the sport evolves, we have to be sure the rules match the equipment. … We still need to be able to run events which are safe.”
    “I understand there were eight to 10 downhills in Europe this season, and probably not many more in North America. We have to make the sure the discipline doesn’t die. There is a real desire to make this work moving forward. We have a brief agenda this evening, but North American has a real chance to steer this thing.”

Share This Article

About the Author: Pete Rugh