September 28, 2009 (Boston, MA) – It’s a rite of passage every autumn, as snowflakes begin to fall on the mountains. With the 2010 Olympic Winter Games just over four months away, there’s a heightened excitement in the air as athletes who have committed a lifetime are now Vancouver Bound. For over 40 winters, fans of the nation’s top skiers and snowboarders have gathered across America for gala events celebrating their heroes and helping raise funds to support them on the globe’s biggest stage. It’s ball season for the U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding, kicking off this week in Boston.

Ball season brings the Team’s top athletes together with some of its most passionate fans for events ranging from black tie galas to backyard picnics for kids, honoring and supporting athletes who are Vancouver Bound.

“The Balls are a great chance for the U.S. Ski Team and U.S Snowboarding families to spend time with the people who have supported us throughout the years,” said two-time World Champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), who will be among the headliners at the kickoff New England Ski and Snowboard Ball in Boston Wednesday (Sept. 30). “We can celebrate the things we have all accomplished and work together for a great future.”

Joining Vonn for Wednesday’s New England event will be freestyle moguls World Champion Hannah Kearney, Olympic gold medalist Ross Powers, and Paralympic champion Alison Jones, plus a host of others including past Olympic medalists Billy Kidd and Travis Mayer.

The Team’s unique events date back to the 1960s when innovative New York businessmen J. Negley “Cookie” Cooke, Ralph “Doc” DesRoches and others began the New York Ski Ball. Today, the New York Ski and Snowboard Ball remains the granddaddy of them all and one of the highlights of Ball season.

Today, the Team’s galas in Boston, California’s Bay Area, New York and Chicago, along with private fundraising events in Dallas, Los Angeles and other markets, help raise millions of dollars to support athletes in their quest to achieve lifetime dreams and goals in Vancouver.

“As an athlete, you commit to a lifetime dedicated to training and preparation for that one day in Vancouver,” said Trace Worthington, Vice President, Foundation. “And it’s not just dedication by athletes – it’s a lifetime commitment from family, friends and fans to helping these athletes achieve excellence at the Olympics.

“The need to support America’s athletes is greater than ever before,” said Worthington. “And as our supporters meet these men and women at our Balls, they get to see firsthand that dedication, passion and commitment – and how much their support is valued.”

In addition to financing expenses for coaches and athlete travel to camps and competitions, Worthington cited three areas of specific importance to each of the Team’s six sport programs.

One of the most critical is sport science – developing scientific training programs for individual athletes in each sport and use of technology to help athletes ski and snowboard faster and soar higher and longer. In sports like skiing and snowboarding where injuries are prevalent, sports medicine is vital – both for prevention of injury and proper rehab to facilitate return to competition. Finally, sport education is critical to future success – working closely with the USSA’s more than 400 local clubs nationwide.

“The Balls are a great time for us, as athletes, to connect with the people who support our Team and who help contribute to our efforts,” said nordic combined World Champion Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY). “It’s always a lot of fun to get together and help share the evening with some people who are excited about what we do.”

“It’s a good way to meet existing U.S. Ski Team and U.S. Snowboarding supporters face-to-face and try to generate new supporters as well,” said snowboardcross great Nate Holland (Squaw Valley, CA).

“The Balls are a great opportunity to enjoy ourselves and mingle with ski enthusiasts,” said freestyle aerials World Champion Ryan St. Onge. “It’s also an opportunity for us to support the Team’s fundraising in order to get us what we need to be our best.”

St. Onge often does double duty at balls, shaking hands and greeting fans, but also flipping and flying in the Flying Ace All Stars trampoline show. Each year the All Stars find new and exciting tricks in the multiple-trampoline show which is one of the most action-packed 15 minutes of fun you will ever see.

“The next four months are pivotal for these athletes,” said Worthington. “Each athlete and their family has committed a lifetime to representing their sport and country at the Olympics. They’re Vancouver Bound, but only if the support of our nation is behind them.”

Fans who want to get involved can checkout details at donate.ussa.org or by calling 435.647.2074.

Major 209 Ski and Snowboard Balls

New England Ski and Snowboard Ball
Wednesday, Sept. 30
The New England Ball features one of the biggest lineups of athletes at a cocktail reception event at the prestigious Langham Hotel in the heart of Boston’s financial district. A live auction features opportunities to ski with top athletes and more, with a return engagement by the Flying Ace All Stars trampoline show. This year’s New England event will feature a daylong “Coaches Track” forum for USSA club leaders where the leaders of future stars will hear the Team’s plans for development, the latest sport science insights, plus an opportunity to visit with USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt, plus top athletes.

Bay Area Ski and Snowboard Benefit
Saturday, Oct. 17
The Team’s Bay Area event, held near Palo Alto each year, features a focus on kids. Current stars team up with the youngsters for a head-to-head obstacle course race. Parents, meanwhile, get an opportunity to hear about the Team’s latest developments in sport science in a backyard picnic that has become one of the most popular stops.

New York Ski and Snowboard Ball
Thursday, Oct. 29
The Team’s New York Ski and Snowboard Ball is the original gala, attracting hundreds of corporate sponsors, private supporters, television executives and media each year. In a nearly 50 year run, it has raised literally tens of millions of dollars for U.S. ski and snowboarding athletes and has become a popular event on the Wall Street social scene. This year’s Ball moves to a new venue, Gotham Hall for an evening featuring athletes, live entertainment plus the Flying Ace All Stars. The live auction is a highlight of the evening where you may go home with a day skiing with a gold medalist, a trip by Sentient Jet to your favorite resort, or a date with a helicopter in the Canadian Rockies.

Chicago Ski and Snowboard Ball
Friday, Nov. 13
The Standard Club on the south side of Chicago’s Loop offers one of the most spectacular and intimate settings for 500 of the Team’s most ardent fans to show their support. Chicago historically features one of the most robust silent auctions plus a new cocktail format this year to bring athletes and fans even closer together.