US Aerials Hosts Virtual Pool Party To Celebrate Team Fundraiser
The U.S. Aerials Ski Team hosted a virtual pool party on September 17 at the Spence Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool at Official Training Site Utah Olympic Park in celebration of their first-ever team-specific fundraising effort.
The team was seeking to raise $50,000 to be matched by a generous donor and freestyle supporter, Wayne Lemley, for a total of $100,000 in athlete support. To date the team has raised $90,000, just shy of their goal to ensure they are more than fully funded for the 2021-22 season. However, donations are still accepted to reach the $50,000 match, and beyond.
The virtual event was hosted by freestyle legends and Olympians Trace Worthington and Emily Cook, and offered viewers an inside look into the team’s summer training routine. Broadcast via Facebook Live on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard page, Worthington and Cook showcased what a typical morning jump session looks like and caught up with several athletes between their reps.
The funds raised through this effort will go towards expenses such as equipment needs and the constantly changing travel landscape, and will allow athletes to completely focus on their training and preparation for this important Olympic season. Beijing will provide aerial skiers two medal opportunities with the debut of the Team event.
Three-time Olympian, World Champion and World Record holder Ashley Caldwell stopped by to say hello to everyone watching at home. “This [fundraiser] is super important,” she said. “We have lapses in funding in certain areas, including being able to live and train here in Park City - it’s very expensive. So having this extra funding is really important.”
Cook and Worthington also caught up with Dani Loeb, who said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us and who have been donating and helping. It means the world to us and we can't wait to show you guys what we’ve got this upcoming winter. So thank you so much!”
The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation works to raise more than $18 million annually for U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s athletic programs. U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes rely on the generous support of fans, donors, trustees and corporations to fund their Olympic dreams. The Aerials fundraiser is one fundraising program that enables the freestyle community of donors to support the sport they are most passionate about. Since implementing sport specific fundraisers, the Foundation has seen an increase in revenue to be able to fully fund specific teams. All funds raised directly impact the Aerials Team and anything raised in excess of the goal will either help fill in unforseen gaps this season, or roll over to the 2022-23 season.
To support the U.S. Aerials Ski Team, click here for more information
