The Yosemite Winter Club ski team garnered an impressive eleven, top-ten medals for overall placement in the 2007/2008 Far West Central Series, USSA ski racing division. More than 160 junior ski racers from Bear Valley, Dodge Ridge, Sierra Summit and the Yosemite Winter Club compete in slalom, giant slalom and super giant slalom events hosted at the various ski areas throughout the Central Sierra. A final championship race is held in the Tahoe area.

"The Yosemite Winter Club ski team is a small--yet highly dedicated—group of twenty-four skiers who love to ski and love to challenge themselves every time they enter the racecourse," said Tom Medema, Head Coach and President of the Yosemite Winter Club. "Their passion for skiing is evident through their strong commitment and support to the racing program at Badger Pass Ski Area and the Yosemite Winter Club."

Members of the ski team are actively involved in hosting the annual Silver Ski Slalom Race at Badger Pass Ski Area in Yosemite National Park. Racers help with set-up, course placement, ticket sales, dishwashing duties and break down.

Because of their involvement, racers feel a great sense of pride in the event. This was heightened this year when Winter Club team members Caitlin Porter received the coveted Silver Ski Trophy for the fastest female racer for the second year and Lucas Newcomb was honored with the Rusty Rust Award for great sportsmanship.

"Yosemite Winter Club ski team members are great ambassadors for the sport of ski racing, as well as their training ground, Yosemite National Park,” continued Medema. "I am proud to be coaching such a fun, talented and dedicated group of young men and women."

Ski team members receiving top-ten awards include:

Eleanor Bales -- Catheys Valley

Maren Guy -- El Portal

Nielsen Guy -- El Portal

Andrew Hindes -- Fresno

Anna Medema -- El Portal

Max Naumcheff -- Oakhurst

Lucas Newcomb -- Lucas Valley