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  The Vermont Alpine Racing Association proudly announces honorees for the
2018 Celebration of Vermont Ski Racing Gala
and Hall of Fame Induction

NOVEMBER 3, 2018
Stoweflake Resort, Stowe, Vermont

 
  Jimmy Cochran
2018 V ARA Hall of Fame Inductee 
Jimmy Cochr an grew up loving skiing and eventually ski racing. Born in Burlingto n, Vermont, he raced for Cochran's Ski Area and Mount Mansfield Ski Club. He is the son of VARA Hall of Fame member and Olympian Bobby Cochran. Jimmy is one in a long line of skiing Cochrans; his grandfather was the U.S. head coach in 1974, his dad and three aunts were Olympians and he has many cousins all who have experienced time on the U.S. Ski Team. His family owns the Cochran's Ski Resort in Vermont. 
Jimmy was considered a late arrival on the U.S. ski racing scene as he enjoyed high school racing and moved onto the United States Ski team from College racing.  Jimmy transferred from Middlebury College to the University of Vermont in 2003 where he studied mechanical engineering.  A two-time Olympian competing in 2006 and 2010, Jimmy also participated in the World Championships in 2005, 2007 and 2009. Jimmy was a technical specialist on the World Cup circuit. In 2004, while at Alyeska Resort, Jimmy won the Slalom and the Giant Slalom at the US Nationals on successive days.  He retired in 2012 and became the University of Vermont Ski Team Assistant Coach before taking over as the general manager of the Cochran's ski area.
While all of these accomplishments are amazing on their own, what is extra special is Jimmy's commitment to ski racing and the youth that are involved in the sport. He is currently the General Manager of Cochran's ski area carrying out the mission of his grandparents Ginny and Mickey Cochran;  No child will be denied the opportunity to ski or ride.  In 1998, Cochran's Ski Area became a non-profit organization with a mission "to provide area youth and families with affordable skiing and snowboarding, lessons and race training, in the Cochran tradition." Cochran's is the nation's first IRS 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt ski area.

Cochran's Ski Area under Jimmy's guidance provides affordable skiing opportunities to many Vermont youth day and night. Their philosophy is the essence of VARA's Community goal.
VARA is proud to recognize Jimmy Cochran and his achievements in inspiring the Vermont Ski Racing community with his racing accomplishments and his commitment to keep ski racing accessible to Vermont Youth.
   
Mike Morin
Stratton Mountain School
Development Coach of the Year

For the last 11 years, Mike has served as the Program Director and Head U16 Men's coach at SMS. He is the former U.S. Ski Team Head Technical Coach where he coached athletes to three World Championship medals in 2005 and to an Olympic Gold Medal in 2006. During his 10 years with the U.S. Ski Team, Mike coached athletes to more than 25 World Cup podiums. Mike's Olympic coaching experience has included: 1994 Lillehammer; 2002 Salt Lake City; 2006 Torino.

Mike won the International Coach of the Year Award in 2006 for his performance during the Olympics in Torino, Italy. Most recently, Mike was awarded the 2017 US Ski & Snowboard Domestic Alpine Coach of the Year Award. 

Currently, Mike serves on the US Ski and Snowboard Children's Committee and is a frequent participant in regional and state level projects. Mike's dedication to the sport is clear, not only through his work with VARA and US Ski and Snowboard but also his through his daily pursuit to improve the SMS Alpine program. Through his leadership, SMS has become a US Ski and Snowboard Certified Gold Club, Development Site, and a High-Performance Center.

Mike's coaching philosophy is very process driven, with a strong focus on fundamental skills. His ability to keep athletes engaged in even the simplest of drills, until they have been perfected, is one of the reasons he is such a great coach. He builds a team atmosphere among his groups, in which his athletes learn to be accountable and know that it is ok to fail. Mike's focus is not on the result, but the process of becoming a better ski racer.

 
 
Micheline Lemay
Mount Mansfield Ski Club
VARA Junior Development Coach of the Year

Micheline began coaching at MMSC in 2002 and has directed the U12/10/8 program for more than a decade.   Micheline is responsible for a program that services over 140 children ages 6-11 including a staff of 15 coaches.  She plans all free ski and training sessions, coordinates two race schedules, organizes all communication with parents, coaches, administration and board members.  Micheline is very ambitious and takes the initiative to research and stay aware of developments in technique, equipment, competition and child psychology.  Not only does she hold these expectations for herself but for her staff as well.  She incorporates all of her research into her on hill plans and is adamant about staying in the forefront of children's development in skiing and also in creating good people with strong character. She uses the age old lessons which sports provide in preparing for situations that life creates.

Each weekend Micheline creates ski groups, rotates coaches and provides instruction sheets to coaches that include the focus and skills along with accompanying drills to support the goal.  Michy works with the U14 staff to create a solid foundation and smooth transition to the next phase.  She has played an integral role in the MMSC USSA Gold program certification process as well.  

In the off season  Micheline runs a day camp called Rugged Adventures. She started this camp to help youngsters discover the benefits of fitness and the adventures found in the out doors. 
Peter Mackey
Middlebury Ski Club
VARA Volunteer of the Year
Peter Mackey has been a mainstay as a dedicated ski race volunteer as part of race crew, and as an alpine official for VARA and the Middlebury Ski Club for the past 40 years. Peter Grew up skiing at the Snow Bowl, attended Middlebury College and shortly after graduating started his lifelong commitment to Vermont ski racing and to the Middlebury Snow Bowl. 

Pete has been an integral part of the Mid Vermont Council attending meetings, providing insight from the club standpoint and always looking out for the athletes' best interest. As a long-time Vermont Ski Areas Association representative on the VARA Board, Peter has helped pave the way for VARA and the Mid Vermont Council providing awareness and understanding for the smaller clubs. He has been instrumental in providing thoughtful guidance to help Vermont racing evolve. Pete has was a member of the Vermont Ski Areas Association Board of Directors and served as Secretary.

Peter has recently retired from his position as General Manager at the Middlebury Snow Bowl and as board members for VARA and VSAA, his dedication and pure love of Vermont ski racing will keep him out on the slopes helping prepare race venues, clearing finish areas and making sure that VARA and college racers have the best race hill possible. Pete recently received a very well-deserved Industry Achievement Award from Ski Vermont. Pete plans on spending some time skiing with his grandchildren.

 
 
 
Jeannine Bennett
Killington Mountain School 
VARA Alpine Official of the Year
Jeannine Bennett has been involved in alpine ski racing in Vermont as an alpine official and a parent, for many years. Currently, she is the KMS Alpine Events Race Administrator. Jeannine has held this position for the past 8 years and throughout that time she has helped VARA become an important part of AdminSports online race registration system. Jeannine provided her expertise in timing and her excellence in streamlining race registrations. She continued to follow up with their staff year after year helping and consulting on how to make the process easier for racers and for fellow race administrators. She has been a staunch advocate for VARA in making sure that all Vermont club/academy skiers are current with their memberships before racing in Killington events.  Jeannine also is very helpful in assisting other VARA Race Administrators in the state by providing feedback and sharing best practices whether at the VARA Race Administrator meetings or taking phone calls from struggling RA's.
 
Jeannine brings a positive perspective and energy to Vermont ski racing, following the USSS and VARA rules of the sport. She is a kind and sympathetic, by the book, RA and doesn't miss a step. She is always looking for the best way to do things and is always sharing and helping others. Jeanine is always looking out for the best interest of the athletes, VARA and the families who commit many hours and weekends to ski racing.