JANUARY E-SPILLWAY NEWSLETTER |
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On Tuesday, December 27th, Carrabassett Valley Academy (CVA) officially opened the CVA Colby T-bar, realizing a 40-year dream of a new and improved training venue at Sugarloaf. The new high-speed surface lift, situated between a widened Competition Hill and the Narrow Gauge trail, coupled with state-of-the-art snowmaking, provides an ideal training ground for competitive skiers and snowboarders.
The capital project, called The Podium Project, is the result of a partnership between CVA, Sugarloaf, Sugarloaf Ski Club, Colby College, and the University of Maine Farmington (UMF). The venue helps position Sugarloaf as a world-class, early-season destination for training.
“Thanks to many generous donors and volunteers, the CVA Colby T-bar is ready to fly! We are so proud of the teamwork, collaboration, and financial and in-kind support that brought the vision of this training venue to life,” said CVA Head of School Kate Webber Punderson '89. “Sugarloafers and student-athletes from CVA, Colby, and UMF will benefit from this new venue for decades to come.”
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CVA student-athletes are already reaping the benefits of the new training venue. Sugarloaf has always provided challenging terrain, consistent snow, and great full-length training. With the new surface lift, new snowmaking, and more training lanes, athletes now have more time on-snow with higher repetition and quality.
At 1200’ length and 380’ vertical gain, the surface lift is capable of getting athletes back to the top of the course in approximately 180 seconds compared to the 800-900 seconds when using public chairlifts (SuperQuad and Double Runner West) saving between 10-11 minutes per lap.
“During our initial training over the holidays, the widening of Competition Hill and improved snowmaking allowed us to set up to three parallel giant slalom courses or six slaloms with the B Mogul course in place,” stated CVA Alpine Director and Director of Special Projects, Kirk Dwyer. “As our athletes gain training-specific conditioning, it will be exciting to see how much their volume of quality training increases. We anticipate we will be able to ski more gates within a fixed period of time than any other program. This will allow the kids more time to free ski and work on drills outside of the courses.”
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According to Dwyer, one of the most significant features of the venue is the “hotbed” environment. During training there has been a good number of people gathering to watch, and the expectation is that this new venue will help attract more spectators to competitions throughout the season. The opportunity for Weekend Program athletes and young skiers and riders to watch top CVA and collegiate athletes train and compete will provide a skiing “Field of Dreams,” inspiring future competitors.
“The realization of the Podium Project initiative has fulfilled our high expectations,” concluded Dwyer.
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The first formal mention of the desire to have a dedicated training lift at Sugarloaf was in 1970, according to Sugarloaf Ski Club Executive Director Bruce Miles. Coach Tom Reynolds, Sugarloaf racing program supervisor and head coach at the time, expressed the need for a dedicated training lift.
“The estimated cost of it would have been around $5,000,” said Miles, “which was a formidable sum for a then one year old foundation to raise.”
In the spring of 1970, the Sugarloaf Regional Ski Educational Foundation (SRSEF) hired Ned McSherry as program director. In his report to the Foundation a year later he reiterated the need for a training lift. One thought was relocating the number 1 T-bar (now the Skidway lift) and putting it on the side of Narrow Gauge’s Kangaroo Hill area. This was just one of many ideas floated over the next four decades.
In their 1974 spring report to Foundation Directors, SREF head coaches Jeff Lathrop and Peter Smith continued advocating for a training lift and dedicated slalom hill for training. In his 1975 report to directors, John Diller, then head Freestyle coach, stressed that a dedicated training lift would help both racing and freestyle groups.
Larry Mahaney, the Foundation President at the time, also pointed out the need for a dedicated training lift in his annual report. His report stated “In that we feel it is critical for the continued development of our present racers and for the future of ski racing in the state of Maine, we are proposing a T-bar be erected and to the west of the lift, the trail would be widened to accommodate a training area for freestyle moguls as well as racing.”
The summer of 1979 brought the cutting of the first phase of Competition Hill from Tote Road Crosscut to the bottom of Kangaroo Hill (the current Peavy X-cut).
“While walking through the woods flagging it out, Peter Smith, John Diller, and I talked about how great it was to finally get a dedicated training hill and the hope that in the near future a training lift would accompany it,” said Miles.
Fast forward 40 plus years and following much discussion of the subject, ground was broken in the Summer of 2022 for the long awaited CVA Colby surface lift.
“This training venue will accomplish the mission of being able to service the Racing, Freestyle and now Snowboard programs,” said Miles.
A grand opening is being planned for later this season that will include a dedication of the venue and a formal recognition of the donors, vendors, supporters, contractors, Sugarloafers, and teammates that made this project possible. Stay tuned for details.
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CVA is now accepting applications for grades 7-12 for the 2023-2024 school year. |
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Two Ways to Discover CVA: |
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Virtual Open House
February 7 at 7pm
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In-Person Open House
February 22 at 3pm
No registration required
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Charlie is a model student in the classroom and an academic mentor outside of the classroom. Her unwavering focus both at home and on the road produces work of exceptional quality. Despite her heavy travel schedule and rigorous course load she always makes time to help other students as a Peer Mentor. Her ability to balance her academic load, tutoring, and travel has been exemplary, and she always turns her work in work ahead of time. Charlie, thank you for leading by example and helping out your peers. |
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Althea exemplifies what it means to be a Big Dog athlete. Her strong work ethic and positive attitude make her a role model to her peers. She is committed to improvement and her hard work is paying off. In the NorAm Speed Series at Copper Mountain she earned two top 20 results. She was recently named to the Junior Eastern Alpine Team which recognizes the athletic accomplishments of the top junior racers in the East. Congratulations, Althea! Keep up the great work. |
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Community Member of the Month |
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Amy has stepped up her level of responsibility across the board this year and continues to be a role model in the CVA Community. Her respect and concern for others and the world around her, her communication style, and her positive, calm, and confident nature make her an effective leader. Throughout the campus she is the first to help out, is always on time, never misses an obligation and goes above and beyond. She looks out for others and ensures that all students feel supported and taken care of. Amy, the Big Dig community is enhanced by your presence, every day. Thank you! |
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A Big Dog thank you to the Morse Family and D'Ellies! |
Thank you to D'Ellies and the Morse family for sponsoring our Student Spotlight Awards!
Each month the Morse family generously donates gift certificates for our spotlight winners and displays the students' photos on a wall of fame at D'Ellies.
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Peer Mentors Work to Promote Gratitude |
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CVA is committed to helping students learn and live our community values of civility, respect, gratitude, and commitment. In December, Peer Mentors worked to promote the cornerstone value of gratitude. They placed a box in the school atrium where students and other community members were able to submit a note to express their appreciation. During lunchtime meetings throughout December, some of these submissions were shared with the broader CVA community. |
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In December, before winter break, CVA students in French class prepared and baked a traditional holiday cake, la büche de Noël. Students combined the ingredients, baked the cake, frosted it, and enjoyed it together. The büche de Noël is a Yule log cake traditionally served as dessert during the Christmas season in France. |
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Congratulations to CVA mogul athlete Dory Michaud '23 for earning a spot on the Spyder Factory Team!
The Spyder Factory Team was created to provide unparalleled manufacturer support to the nation's top junior skiers. The inaugural Spyder Factory Team consists of junior alpine race and freeski skiers. Team members will receive (over the course of at least two seasons): world-class products, coaching, and meaningful financial support so they can focus on skiing. Way to go, Dory!
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CVA Weekend Program mogul skiers competed in their first USSS B Mogul event of the season - the Greg Francoeur Bumps & Jumps at Sugarloaf in early January. There was a lot of quality skiing and plenty of smiling faces all around! |
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Congratulations to the CVA Snowboard athletes who competed in the Sunday River Maine Mountain - USASA GS and SL races in early January.
Kingston Dickey '28 earned 1st and 3rd place in the GS races and 1st place for both SL races in his age group. Walker Wolfe '26 swept the podium with 1st place in all four races in his age group. Taggert Carr '24 earned 1st place in GS and 1st and 2nd place in SL for his age group.
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On December 31, CVA Academy and Weekend U8-U14 athletes competed in the USSS Bill Bousum GS at Sugarloaf. Top placement went to CVA student-athletes Ashlyn Poirier '27 - 1st and Luise Reuter '27 - 2nd for women; and Nick Klemperer '27 - 1st and Ethan Godomsky '27 - 2nd for men.
Congratulations to all the athletes:
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U8 Girls:
Eloise Wadsworth
Samantha Landry
U10 Girls
Molly Holman
Keira Livesay
Elise Duda
Natalie Blaisdell
Brooke Servidio
U10 Boys
Simms Patten
Philippe Grenier
JJ Sevigny
Gavin Johnson
Bryson Trafton
U12 Girls
Quinnie Marston
Maddy Gilbert
Maddy Barnhorst
Helena Rueter
Elizabeth Chambers
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U12 Boys
Charlie Lord
Luke Holman
Finn Hildebrand
Carter Ladd
Boden Folger David
U14 Girls
Ashlyn Poirier '27
Luise Rueter '27
Finley Giguere
Maddy Cannan
Sutton Yi
U14 Boys
Nick Klemperer '27
Ethan Godomsky '27
Anders Hildebrand
Henry Demetriou
Chase Barnhorst
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CVA hosted a group of 5-6th grade student-athletes for our Alpine Immersion Session in December. These sessions allow aspiring Big Dogs to become more familiar with the CVA experience by fully participating in academic, athletic, and community life on campus. Participants focus on school work they bring from their home school in the mornings and spend afternoons training with CVA coaches, allowing them to get more miles on snow early in the season. |
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The CVA Ski Cross team competed in their first NorAm competition of the season with impressive results for these first-year FIS athletes.
On day 1 Morgan Shute '25 won the women's small finals with a score of 99 in her first race, and Maggie Swain '24 placed 7th. For the men, Sullivan Butler '24 placed 20th, and Francois Meloni '23 placed 26th.
On day two Maggie Swain won small finals for 5th place with a score of 99 and Morgan Shute placed 8th. Sullivan Butler finished 20th and Francois Meloni finished 27th.
From Ski Cross Coach Phelan: "From Austria to Canada, these kids came out ready to crush it every day. I can tell you I have a team full of amazing athletes! They are so motivated to learn. We went into our first NorAm with zero expectations; with a portion of the Canadian National Team there, I was unsure how things would go. The CVA women scored enough points in their first NorAm for a potential Junior World invitation to San Pellegrino, Italy!
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When it comes to skiing in the backcountry, safety and efficiency are key. That’s why CVA Backcountry student-athletes have spent the last few weeks preparing for their trip to La Grave, France and true big mountain, backcountry skiing. The team conducted avalanche training to ensure that each athlete is prepared to enter avalanche terrain and execute a rescue if needed. They practiced ski repels, which is a technique often used to get over terrain that is deemed unsafe or not skiable. To finish off, the team worked on emergency care and evacuation efforts, which included building a rescue sled using typical backcountry ski gear. With all of this, our athletes are more prepared to enter the backcountry. |
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On Saturday, February 25th, 2023, CVA will hold its annual Scholarship Bash, a critical piece of Carrabassett Valley Academy’s fundraising efforts, to raise scholarship money for current and prospective student-athletes.
Each year, we award scholarship funds to over 55% of student-athletes, who demonstrate financial need and exceptional potential in their athletic discipline and academic performance. Funds are raised through ticket sales, auction items, a paddle raise for cash donations, and through our generous event sponsors.
80s Apres
1PM-3PM EST
Hillside @ Shipyard Brew Haus
Free admission with purchase of raffle ticket
Includes drinks and apps
Tickets sold in-person. Stay tuned for sale locations.
80s Bash
7PM-9PM EST
@Bill & Joan Alfond Competition Center
Admission $50 per person with purchase of raffle ticket
Includes drinks, apps, and live auction
Tickets sold online. Stay tuned for online ticket sale information.
Our biggest event of the year can't happen without your help.
Ways to Get Involved:
- Purchase a Raffle Ticket (sale locations will be announced soon)
- Become an Event Sponsor
- Donate an Auction Item
- Join a Committee
- Raise your Paddle for a Cash-giving Opportunity
- Bid on an Auction Item
- Attend the Apres Event
- Attend the Bash Event
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41st Annual
McKay/Waddle Scholarship Race
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 10am
on Kangaroo Hill Narrow Gauge
Awards @ Jean Luce Building
Snowboarders and Skiers invited - enter by end of day February 17th to get a t-shirt.
Your $40 entry fee includes a t-shirt,( for online early entries). Does not include a lift Ticket.
This is a fun race open to all ages. There will be many prizes in the bib draw, so you do not need to be fast to win something.
This is a memorial race in honor of Dan McKay & Mike Waddle.
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3197 Carrabassett Drive
Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
Phone: (207) 237-2250
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