Flip out over the excitement
If you have all your last minute Christmas shopping finished, you can reward yourself with a preview of the 2010 Winter Olympic games. Once again Steamboat Springs is playing host to U.S. Olympic hopefuls in a winner-takes-all chance at making a trip to Vancouver this February this Wednesday and Thursday December 23-24. Five athletes will claim their place in history this week in Steamboat!
Todd Lodwick in flight
The US Trials begin this Wednesday at historic Howelsen Hill in downtown Steamboat Springs with the Nordic Combined trails. The Jumping competition gets the excitement started, followed by the 10 km cross-country race. Howelsen Hill is no stranger to competition, Colorado’s oldest ski area in continuous use has held jumping competitions from the time it opened in 1915. More recently, the ski area in on the global Nordic Combined map having hosted several World Cups over the years.
Todd celebrates World Championship gold in 2009
It is no wonder then that Steamboat Springs is home to several of the athletes vying for a spot on the Nordic Combined team. Hometown hopefuls like Todd Lodwick and Johnny Spillane will certainly be crowd favorites.
Steamboat is also home to several of the US team’s most successful freestyle athletes as well. Nelson Carmichael brought home the bronze from the 1992 games and Travis Mayer won the silver in 2002.
Freestyle skiing has deep roots in Steamboat dating back to when freestyle skiing, as a competitive sport, was in its infancy. Local resident Park Smalley, who used to run the Great Western Freestyle Camp here in Steamboat, trained many Olympians. Just like Nordic Combined, Steamboat has also played host to freestyle World Cups over the years.
“Freestyle and Nordic Combined skiing always has been, and remain at the heart of Steamboat’s claim to Ski Town USA,” said Andy Wirth, senior vice president of sales & marketing for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation and president of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC). “The Winter Sports Club, Ski Area and entire community are excited to be hosting the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.”
Adding to the festivities will be a free concert with Big Head Todd & the Monsters. The concert starts in Gondola Square at 4 p.m. following the awards presentation.
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