U.S. Moguls Ski Team Holds Successful Fundraising Event

The U.S. Moguls Ski Team raised nearly $100,000 of funds that will all go to the B Team at Red Sky Ranch & Golf Club outside of Vail, Colo. With an initial goal of raising $30,000, the event was a huge success. Hosted and underwritten by U.S. Ski & Snowboard Trustee Jim Benedict and his wife Jeffy, guests and fans were treated to a cocktail reception, silent auction, autograph signings, and athlete presentations.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard supports athletes’ journeys to be “Best in the World.” The Moguls A Team was inspired to come together to support the B Team as part of their mission this season to be ever closer as a whole team. This incredible fundraising effort was an all-team effort spearheaded by A Team members Jaelin Kauf (Alta, Wyo.) and Tess Johnson (Vail, Colo.).

“It was really awesome to see how many people support us and want to be a part of our team,” said Kauf of the event’s success. “We got to help the B Team athletes, which helps us all go into our big training camp in Zermatt (Switzerland) more relaxed and focused. Doing this event as a whole team really brought us together.”

The generosity of the Vail community runs deep, something Tess Johnson is no stranger to. As a member of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Johnson was thrilled the inaugural event was held in her hometown.

“My entire career, Vail has supported me, the entire community,” Johnson said. “Whether donating to me personally, or watching me, or congratulating me. To see the whole community now supporting our team and joining in our team’s journey was even more special. It wouldn’t have been possible without the Benedict family’s support. We all stayed at their house. They are amazing and we are so grateful for their support.”

During the event, both Kauf and Johnson presented and spoke of the rich moguls' history in the Vail Valley, as well as the importance of this season for the team. It is critical that the athletes are able to dedicate their time and attention to their sport – their World Championships event will be held on home soil, at Deer Valley Resort on February 8 and 9, 2019.

B Team member Dylan Walczyk (Breckenridge, Colo.) shared with the audience what their support means to him. “There’s one piece of competing that stands out…the moment of contest,” Walczyk explains, “Everything you’ve worked for is on the line…You look down the course, you see the crowd cheering, you get a rush of adrenaline…You push out of the start gate…This is the purest moment I’ll ever find.”

The Moguls Team proved that many things are possible with some drive and dedication in more than tripling their initial goal. The week heading into the event, the Team had already raised more than $80,000.

“To go into the event with that was really awesome,” Kauf reflected.

“Jaelin and I took the reigns in organizing [the event]. We worked really hard and it was all worth it,” added Johnson.

The Moguls Team now heads to Zermatt for three weeks of training buoyed by their success. And though competition season looms large over them, knowing that their fans want to participate in their journey gives them all the more reason to ski hard.

If you’re interested in donating to the athletes of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, click HERE