Dear CCAK,

I just wanted to write a quick note from Europe! Along with 10 other young Alaskan skiers, I skied well enough at the 2011 U.S. National Championships in Maine to be named to the team that represented the United States in Estonia for World Juniors and Under-23 World Championships. We have all just returned home, or are traveling home, after a successful series of championship races.

One of the coolest things about being on this trip is to see how many young Alaskans are skiing at a world class level. I have attached a picture of our Alaskan contingent; ten native Alaskans, two who have moved to the Last Frontier for skiing, and one coach.

I wanted to just give a word of encouragement to CCAK, and a thumbs up for all that you guys do for skier development. These athletes at World Juniors/U23s, and the J1s that are on the Scando Cup trip, are the same athletes who have been going to JOs, REG camps, and Besh Cups for much of our lives. I think that the national and international success of our skiers just goes to show that CCAK is right on track with all that they are doing!

All of us skiers are very proud to represent our great state to the rest of the world, and the work of CCAK over the years has been crucial to getting us to where we are now. I think that I speak for all of us when I say that the races, camps, and trips that we have been a part of have been great! Looking towards the future, whenever possible, I think that more of these types of things will only help to strengthen Alaskan skiing. Some ideas for future development opportunities are:

-more REG-style training camps that include older elite athletes, and maybe even younger athletes

-some level of athlete funding for international racing trips (World Juniors, Under 23 World Champs, Scando Cup, etc)

-an annual weekend or series of FIS races

As I paused to reflect on being a skier in Alaska, I had so many reasons to be thankful for growing up here. I honestly think that Alaska is the best place to be if you want to improve as a competitive ski racer, and our impressive numbers at World Juniors/U23s and the J1 Scando Cup trip prove it. Seriously, I could only think of three improvements that could be made, and I have already listed them.

So thank you very much CCAK, and all involved, for all that you have done, are doing, and will do to further Alaskan skiing. It is effective, and very much appreciated!.

Reese Hanneman