Team AVSC News

The 16th annual Audi Ajax Cup brought elite racing, fellowship, community cheer, and a reignited passion for youth winter sports to Aspen Mountain last Tuesday, December 30. This critical annual fundraiser for Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club raised over $1.7 million, including $100,000 from AVSC Board President Beth Hoff Blackmer in memory of her late mother, Ruthie. 

“The Audi Ajax Cup Quick read more or view full article has always been about great skiing and giving back, and this year the community took it to another level by setting a new fundraising record,” said Executive Director August Teague. “By coming together like this, we get more kids on snow, give more kids the chance to discover their inner voice, and help them know that this community believes in them. That matters far beyond any race day.” 

The annual fundraiser kicked off December 28 with a pro draw where 16 teams bid for one of 16 pros to join their team. Professional racer Daron Rahlves was the highest-priced pro purchased by Team Kids First at $55,000. Aspen Snowmass CEO Geoff Buchheister was the night’s second pick, going to Team Go Fast or Go Home. Nolan Kasper was snatched up third by Team Roll Tide. 

On Monday, teams set their qualifying runs. Jacob Dilling was the top seeded athlete followed by current U.S. Ski Team member Stanley Buzek and former team member Cooper Cornelius. Three Buchheisters, including Geoff and his children Stella, a Division I DU ski racer, and Luka, an AVSC athlete who placed second in two Holiday Classic races earlier this year, made the top 20, as did Olympic hopeful Wiley Maple. Current AVSC athletes Parker Kendrick, Devon Phillips, and Alaska Speedy made the top 20, while AVSC coaches Galena Wardle, Casey Puckett, Annie Tansley, Kiersten Kirby, George Rodney, and Kelly Hilleke, who will soon be heading out on the Freeride World Tour, raced, as did board member Gordon Bronson and past board president Ryan Smalls. After the qualifying runs, teams spent the rest of the day with their pros and getting some training tips from AVSC’s legendary advocate and racer, Dave Stapleton. 

"The event could not have been better, between the weather, the teams, and the enthusiasm,” said Stapleton. “The number of teams who have signed up again for next year is unprecedented.” 

On Tuesday morning, the actual race kicked off to bluebird sky conditions. Famed Tour de France commentator Bob Roll raced for Team Ice Jets, while Team Hildebrand, made up of AVSC’s freeride athletes, bucked the racing suit trend and brought a little levity to the scene by racing in sleeveless jean jacket outfits. 

Aspen racing dynasties were well-represented. Mariel Gorsuch, an AVSC alumnus and granddaughter of Renie Gorsuch, the subject of this year’s winning poster, raced for Team Third Point. Four Cader family members raced for Team Ice Ice Baby, and father-son duo Mike and Wiley Maple raced on Team Explore Snowriders. Wiley Maple, the team’s pro, is in the midst of his own Olympic Alpine bid. Other Team Snowrider racers included Eric Andersen, the lead musician of AMA5 who performed later at the St. Regis, Andrea Korber, Tim Mills, and Kevin Hartmann. Hartmann has raced with this team every year of the Audi Ajax Cup since he was a young athlete. Together the team advanced to the finals, ultimately edging out Team Chicks Get Lit to win the day. Each winner received a silver Hays belt buckle and will have their name engraved on the famed Gorsuch Cup. 

Throughout the race, the live action was reported by a colorfully decked out fan favorite Uncle E in tandem with former AVSC snowboard athlete Travis McClain and Ted Davenport, whose son Eli raced for Gershel’s Grommets. In addition to the pros, approximately a dozen current AVSC comp racers competed, including Fritz Rowland, age 7, Molly Layne, age 6, and West Wick, age 7. This threesome participated in a special kids race for AVSC’s newest U8 Alpine program.  

“It was a great little race to watch, and we were excited to highlight the next generation of talent,” said AVSC Alpine Program Director Jeff Lackie. Another hallmark moment for Lackie was spying pro racer Daron Rahlves, arguably one of the greatest American racers of all time, up on the hill helping to dismantle the course after the event. 

“It’s emblematic of who we are at AVSC. No one asked him to do that,” Lackie said. “He chose to help out and be a part of the event. It says a lot about Daron and also about AVSC and the kind of club we are.” 

Once the racing finished, the action moved to the St. Regis après party. Tasty morsels ranging from a donated caviar station to churros served suspended from an umbrella kept the crowd happy and fed, while AMA5 and DJ Naka G kept the dance music flowing as swiftly as the cocktails. As the light dimmed, the VIP Lounge, generously underwritten by Obermeyer Wealth Partners, filled up, and light up cowboy hats began circulating throughout the crowd, courtesy of Cochair Elizabeth Slossberg’s EKS Events team. EKS Events organized both the race-day base and VIP experience as well as the St. Regis party, which included cozy yurts and sitting areas with ski run signs named after each of the 16 teams. 

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Gorsuch Cup by Jeff Gorsuch to Team Snowrider, followed by a paddle draw featuring three $100,000 gifts and generous crowd donations starting at $100. 

Altogether, these funds will allow AVSC to continue to subsidize nearly 50% of every program and offer over $800,000 in direct financial aid to local athletes participating in over 40 recreational and competitive winter sports programs. AVSC annually serves 3,000 youth from Silt to Aspen, in five disciplines, and from first-time athletes to Olympic hopefuls. This year, over a dozen AVSC athletes are striving to make the 2026 Olympic Games.  

AVSC owes tremendous thanks to a profound number of individuals and organizations, including our teams and pro racers and our sponsors: Aspen Snowmass, Audi, Hublot, Gorsuch, KJUS, Chalet Alpina, Aspen Power, Obermeyer Wealth Partners, Rowland+Broughton, and Coldwell Banker Mason Morse. Co-chairs for the event were Courtney Brown, Jennifer Styslinger, and Elizabeth Slossberg, owner of EKS Events. 

“Seeing that level of love and generosity was truly overwhelming,” said Ash Farrington, AVSC’s Stewardship Director. “I’m so deeply grateful to every person who showed up, gave generously, and believed so strongly in our mission.”

View initial photos of the event from photographers Matt Power and Sam Ferguson here. 

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FIS Men and Women GS Races moved from Steamboat to Aspen due to low snow conditions.  

Aspen, CO — December 16, 2025. On December 17 and 18, Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club will host the Holiday Classic FIS Giant Slalom Men and Women races at its Stapleton Training Center. A part of the Colorado Cup Series, the classic typically takes place in Steamboat. Due to Quick read more or view full article low snow conditions this year, Steamboat will host Slalom races on December 19 and 20, and Aspen will pick up the Giant Slalom races on the 17th and 18th.   

“The classic typically draws some of the best young racers in the state, especially at the college level,” said Alpine Program Director Jeff Lackie. “They’re fitting in one more race before going home for the holidays. We’re excited to give our hometown athletes this racing experience on their own venue, and we encourage the community to come check out the action.”  

While the venue itself will be closed to spectators, the races on Goldenhorn and Thunderbowl will finish at the base area of Highlands, allowing spectators the chance to catch plenty of action easily from the deck of the Ale House.   

“Despite the slow start to the season, our venue conditions are fantastic and fast,” said AVSC Director of Operations Cody Oates. “This was a huge lift to bring the event to our venue on such short notice, and we want to thank all of our partners at Aspen Snowmass, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, CJ Timing, and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club for helping us to make it happen.”   

AVSC, host of the event, anticipates 150 athletes competing from regional clubs, college teams like DU, University of Colorado, and Utah, and U.S. Ski Team members. “It’s going to be a solid field,” said Oates.  

Race times for December 17 and 18 are:  

• Women: Run 1 at 10 a.m.; Run 2 at 12:30 p.m.  
• Men: Run 1 at 10:45 a.m.; Run 2 at 1:15 p.m.  

Race results can be found at https://livetiming.usskiandsnowboard.org/ 

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Each year, the Teddy Karlinksi Memorial Snowboard Scholarship is awarded to an Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club athlete who embodies the spirit, dedication, and character of the late Teddy Karlinski, a beloved former AVSC athlete and coach. The Quick read more or view full article scholarship of up to $2500 is meant to provide financial assistance to a snowboarder in the AVSC program who is looking to take their skills to a higher level and who honors the memory of Teddy through their hard work and exemplary character. This year the scholarship was awarded to Whit Miller. 
“We chose Whit this year because he reminds us so very much of Teddy,” said Suzy Karlinksi. “He’s skilled, disciplined and passionately devoted to snowboarding. He thrives in competition and strives to be better. He values his AVSC coaches just as Teddy did and makes the most of his AVSC training. Like Teddy, he’s a valued team member and always encourages his teammates.” 
 

About Whitt Miller 

This year’s recipient Whitt Miller has been with Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard program for seven years, and he has been snowboarding for 10 years since he was five years old.  He currently competes in Halfpipe and Slopestyle at the FIS level. Whitt loves traveling with his AVSC team to different states to compete against other great athletes, and he appreciates how much his coaches have helped him become the snowboarder he is today. 

“Being a part of the AVSC program means representing my team, coaches, and community with the core values of AVSC: commitment, teamwork, and integrity,” Whit says. “Being a part of AVSC also means having a lot of fun and becoming a better snowboarder.”  

Whitt is deeply honored to be this year’s scholarship recipient. “It is validation to me that hard work pays off," he says. “I hope to honor Teddy and the snowboarder he was by working my hardest and being a positive part of the snowboarding community here and wherever I get to travel to ride and compete.”  

Whit beleives his work ethic, love for snowboarding, recent accomplishments in competitions, and desire to be a good human being led to his being chosen for the award. He plans to use the scholarship to cover entry fees for Futures Tour and Rev Tour competitions. “These competitions have great snowboarders from the US and around the world. If I want to become the best snowboarder that I can be, I need to compete against the best.”  
 

About Teddy Karlinksi

Teddy Karlinksi was a long-time AVSC athlete who died tragically at the age of 28 in 2016 from complications due to an epileptic seizure. Teddy’s passion for snowboarding was nurtured for years through AVSC where he sharpened his skills, traveled, made friends, helped others, amassed many awards and wins and had a lot of fun. During his time with AVSC, Teddy honed his riding techniques, perfected park tricks and gained competition savvy under the tutelage of his coaches. He went on to become a leading Aspen High School snowboarder, earning 4 varsity letters. After high school, Teddy traveled the world professionally and successfully competed in world class events. He returned to the valley to work as a beloved AVSC snowboard coach as well.   

“I grew up with Teddy in AVSC and he was one of my best friends in and out of the snowboard world," said Whit’s Snowboard coach Eric Angus. “We traveled, competed, and snowboarded together throughout our careers. His talent, passion, and support for his community was unparalleled. I see many of these qualities in Whit, as well as natural style and talent on snow. Teddy would be proud to see his legacy carried on by young athletes like Whit, and it’s an honor to be along for the ride as a coach.”  

Learn more about the Teddy Karlinksi Scholarship, the generous Karlinksi family, Teddy, and how to apply here. 

Above: Whitt Miller, Suzy Karlinksi, and Oliver Pullis, the golf recipient for 2025, at the award ceremony earlier this year. Below: First two shots: Teddy Karlinksi competing. Last two photos Whitt Miller competing.


 

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation (USOPF) today announced the newest class of Team USA Community Champions in partnership with Comcast. Recipients of the award include Tori Franklin (The Live Happii Project), Ezra Frech (Angel City Alliance), Keith Gabel (Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club) and Jeffrey Louis (Houston reVision).

Team USA Community Quick read more or view full article Champions celebrates Team USA athletes whose nonprofit service advances health, wellness or youth sports initiatives. Each year, four athletes receive a $25,000 grant, with half directed to the athlete’s nonprofit and half awarded to the athlete, so they can expand their impact in the communities they serve. 

“Honoring these athletes is about celebrating leadership and service that inspire change well beyond the field of play,” said Jessica Muir, Senior Director, Brand Partnerships & Amplification, Comcast. “We’re proud to stand alongside this year’s Community Champions as they make a lasting difference and lead the way for future generations.”

This year’s recipients were selected from an athlete applicant pool comprised almost entirely of summer athletes, with 90 percent of applicants hailing from summer sports. The applications represented a balanced mix of male and female competitors spanning both Olympic (34) and Paralympic (19) disciplines.

“Tori, Ezra, Keith and Jeffrey embody the many ways Team USA athletes uplift and strengthen their communities,” said USOPF President Christine Walshe. “With Comcast’s partnership and the generosity of our donor community, we’re investing in the programs these athletes lead — from holistic wellness retreats and adaptive sport clinics to youth development and second-chance pathways — so their impact extends far beyond competition.”

 

Meet the 2025 Team USA Community Champions

Keith Gabel serves on the board of the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club, which provides kids in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley with opportunities to grow as athletes and individuals through winter sports. Gabel, a two-time Paralympic medalist in snowboarding, helps ensure that every child, regardless of financial means, can access top-tier coaching, facilities and support to pursue their goals.
 

Two-time Olympian Tori Franklin, a standout in track and field, is the co-founder and CEO of The Live Happii Project. Through this initiative, Franklin organizes holistic health and wellness retreats, both domestic and international, for high school and college-aged students from Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Her work focuses on guiding young people through transformative journeys of self-discovery and personal growth, equipping them with tools to thrive on and off the field of play.

Ezra Frech, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, founded Angel City Sports with his father, Clayton, in 2013. The organization provides free adaptive sports opportunities for youth, veterans and adults in Southern California. Today, through the Angel City Alliance, the organization hosts the annual Angel City Games and more than 250 clinics each year, delivering over 4,000 athlete experiences and building a vibrant, inclusive community for adaptive athletes.

“Receiving this award is deeply meaningful, and it reflects the collective efforts of our entire community to make adaptive sports accessible to all,” said Frech. “I’m honored to share this recognition with peers who are equally dedicated to creating opportunities for others. Thank you to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation and Comcast for helping us grow our impact even further.”

Breaking Olympian Jeffrey Louis, known in his sport as Bboy Jeffro, works with Houston reVision to transform the lives of children in Harris County, Texas. Aiming to break the cycle of juvenile justice system involvement and homelessness, the organization connects young people with mentors and positive peers while providing life-changing resources and opportunities for artistic expression.

Team USA Community Champions in partnership with Comcast awards grants on an annual basis. To learn more about the program or award recipients, please visit www.usopc.org/team-usa-community-champions and www.teamusa.com/team-usa-community-champions-award.
 

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About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Foundation
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation (USOPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Team USA athletes on and off the field of play. As the fundraising arm of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the USOPF generates philanthropic support to empower Team USA athletes to achieve sustained competitive excellence and well-being. Since its inception in 2013, the USOPF has raised more than $575 million for Team USA athletes and programs, significantly contributing to the success of U.S. Olympians, Paralympians, and hopefuls.  One hundred percent of all donations to the USOPF go to athletes and the programs that support them. To learn more, visit usopc.org.

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