Vail's World Championship Synchronized Skiing Competition

A first time showing for PSIA-W

By John Mukavitz

Skiing in the World Synchronized Skiing Championships is a season long commitment to training, friendships, frustrations and unbelievable gratifications. Surprisingly enough, any team is eligible to compete with a $400 entry fee, and in fact, a team doesn't even have to represent a ski school. Any group of eight instructors who can ski or board are eligible.

For the 1996-97 championships, the 22 teams, including a team from Turkey and Switzerland, only had to make their way to the three day event to compete for the $6,000 in prize money (rumored to be $15,000 for next year). However, with the growing popularity and time constraints, the sponsor, Paul Mitchell, expressed a desire to hold qualifying events before next year's Vail hosted finals. 

In the 1996-97 event, the Heavenly ski school was the first PSIA-W team ever entered into the event. The field, according to event organizers, is usually rostered with Colorado and Utah teams, and so, the promoters were glad to see interest growing outside of the the Rocky Mountain and Intermountain divisions.  Each day of the event found the teams making three passes down a manicured mellow blue run towards the judges stand. There, six judges scored teams on skiing quality, turn shape, position, synchronicity, entertainment, difficulty, speed and tightness.

The first day was practice allowing participants to feel out the run and try the optional jump (if they deemed it would improve their run). It was exciting to see Vail's T&A team (Telemark & Alpine) throw side-by-side helicopters off the thirty-foot floater aerial ramp. The jump was exactly like a big tabletop jump found in most any snowboard park. During the judged passes, two runs were of choice, and the third was the school figure. This compulsory figure consisted of four short and four medium turns carved by two intersecting lines of four team members (it looks like a group figure eight).

The third day was three runs of choice. All told, Heavenly's "Blue Angels" finished 13th out of 21, and was named "Rookie of the Year". Quite a first-time finish for the PSIA-W representative, but as more Western division teams enter and become experienced, result expectations will increase as well. The actual event was short lived, but the most rewarding story was found in what it took to transform the eight individuals into a cohesive group. It was reminiscent of a high school team where camaraderie and friendships are forged. 

For Heavenly's team, it all started in February, when Mike Allen, Heavenly's Ski School Director, persuaded management to pay the entry fee. After the decision to form a team was announced, a notice for tryouts was posted. Then, a three judge panel convened to watch and decide which eight skiers would best represent the area. Heavenly's team was filled with the talents of Mike Rogan, Robin Barnes, Sean Warman, Steve Evanson, John Mukavitz, Scott Dickey, Anke Newman and Jeff Barry. 

The team then embarked upon a journey of trials and tribulations trying to decide and perfect upon four demo figures and one compulsory school figure during the 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. training sessions. It seemed strange to enter the normally busselling locker room and find it empty except for the other seven members of the team. It was on those mornings that the camaraderie of being on a team really started to evolve. Team interaction became more like sibling communication (familiar in tone) as the group started to bond. 

The last week of practice was when the reality of the situation hit home. There was no more, "a few more times and we'll have it down." It become apparent that the demos would never be perfect; that's when the team started hoping for the best (the best teams during the event had been together for many years). In those tense days before the event, the frustrations become heightened as one or two people (alternating through the ranks until everyone was guilty) would ruin what could of been a flawless run.

Patience was a great virtue to have at this point.  During competition, the teams waited patiently at the top of "Zot," a 1400 foot vertical intermediate run, for the starter to call their team name. Reminiscent of a scene from a gang movie, the teams mill around in full dress regalia chatting amongst themselves. Some teams sported matching one-piece powder suits, while others wore matching one-piece downhill suits -- the rest wore everything in-between. Nevertheless, it was apparent that the ski world remains a small society as many old acquaintances were renewed throughout the event. Moreover, behind the scenes was where the most memorable experiences were found. For instance, the bar at the bottom of Lionshead was where the video tape of the day's event was played back.

Here, among the free nochos, pizza, chicken strips and other assorted hors d'oeuvres, competitors could make acquaintances with some of the best ski teachers in the world.  The end of the three day event showcased the grand "en mass" synchronized procession. Here, strictly done for fun, the 170 or so participants make short turns down the run for the judges, spectators and TV cameras. Some make turns all the way, while others opt to make a try at the jump. Regardless of the choice, the lasting impressions of this event are that of teamwork and new friends--see you there next year fellow PSIA-W members.

Authors Bio: John Mukavitz is a Heavenly Ski School instructor, Certified PSIA-W DCL, USSCA level II and holds a masters degree in English, and during the summer, he teaches skiing in Portillo, Chile. John Mukavitz

Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, NV