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The Steadman Clinic Vail Cup, the valley's longest-running competition series, wrapped up Sunday with kids of all ages kicking around the Nordic track and hitting the big air on Golden Peak.
Sunday was the last of four days of competition held throughout the winter. Facilitated by Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, the event is free and open to the public. Other disciplines earlier in the season included slalom, GS, slopestyle, moguls and halfpipe.
“It allows us to introduce all of our entry-level athletes, whether they're from BEVO, DEVO, Buddy Warner, independents or Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, to competition, which we think is really important in all of our sports — Nordic, freeride, alpine and snowboard,” said Nigel Cooper, SSCV program development director.
The Vail Cup has been running since the '60s and used to be the premier adult event in town. The format and ages changed over time to now include children, ages eight to 13. On any given day, there could be as many as 250 participants.
“The Vail Cup began as a ski race series, and now that we have introduced other sports into the club, we're pleased to be able to offer a competition experience in all the different snowsports,” SSCV Executive Director Aldo Radamus said.
“It really allows the kids to sample everything and figure out where their passion is. The experience that they get, whether they stand at the top of the halfpipe or put their poles over the wand, is something that will help them when they do choose their sport and mature as competitors at whatever level they get to.”
With three young competitors at Sunday's event, the Riddlers of Edwards were among the families enjoying the Vail Cup. They came home with two first-place finishes — Jesse Riddler, who had the trick of the day stomping a 900, and Shane Riddler both won their age divisions in the big-air event.
“It's cool to see all the Vail locals come together. Everyone can get out there and really express themselves,” father John Riddler said. “We've put a lot of time and effort into these guys over the years, and it's great to see them come out with a little bit of confidence and passion to do well. It was a pretty sweet day for us.”
While it's definitely nice to finish atop the podium, the event is also a great way to introduce young competitors to organized competition, which builds confidence for later when they grow to participate at higher levels.
“We are really fortunate to have the sponsorship of the Steadman Clinic and our individual event sponsors to be able to provide this to the community free of charge,” Radamus said. “It's a great event to introduce kids to competition and let them experience the joy of ski racing, Nordic racing and the freeride disciplines to really get a taste of what it's like to be a competitor in the sport.”
Sunday was the last of four days of competition held throughout the winter. Facilitated by Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, the event is free and open to the public. Other disciplines earlier in the season included slalom, GS, slopestyle, moguls and halfpipe.
“It allows us to introduce all of our entry-level athletes, whether they're from BEVO, DEVO, Buddy Warner, independents or Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, to competition, which we think is really important in all of our sports — Nordic, freeride, alpine and snowboard,” said Nigel Cooper, SSCV program development director.
The Vail Cup has been running since the '60s and used to be the premier adult event in town. The format and ages changed over time to now include children, ages eight to 13. On any given day, there could be as many as 250 participants.
“The Vail Cup began as a ski race series, and now that we have introduced other sports into the club, we're pleased to be able to offer a competition experience in all the different snowsports,” SSCV Executive Director Aldo Radamus said.
“It really allows the kids to sample everything and figure out where their passion is. The experience that they get, whether they stand at the top of the halfpipe or put their poles over the wand, is something that will help them when they do choose their sport and mature as competitors at whatever level they get to.”
With three young competitors at Sunday's event, the Riddlers of Edwards were among the families enjoying the Vail Cup. They came home with two first-place finishes — Jesse Riddler, who had the trick of the day stomping a 900, and Shane Riddler both won their age divisions in the big-air event.
“It's cool to see all the Vail locals come together. Everyone can get out there and really express themselves,” father John Riddler said. “We've put a lot of time and effort into these guys over the years, and it's great to see them come out with a little bit of confidence and passion to do well. It was a pretty sweet day for us.”
While it's definitely nice to finish atop the podium, the event is also a great way to introduce young competitors to organized competition, which builds confidence for later when they grow to participate at higher levels.
“We are really fortunate to have the sponsorship of the Steadman Clinic and our individual event sponsors to be able to provide this to the community free of charge,” Radamus said. “It's a great event to introduce kids to competition and let them experience the joy of ski racing, Nordic racing and the freeride disciplines to really get a taste of what it's like to be a competitor in the sport.”
