PARK CITY, UT (May 21) – Do you want to fly? The United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) is looking for future Olympic acrobatic athletes ages under the age of 19 to participate in the Elite Aerial Development Program (EADP) in Lake Placid, NY or the Western Development Aerial Program "Fly Freestyle" in Park City, UT. The EADP has converted acrobatic athletes from sports like gymnastics, trampoline, diving, tumbling, etc (that can't necessarily ski) into Olympic athletes in the sport of aerial skiing. Athletes, share your best acrobatic tricks and you could earn an invitation to try out for the EADP or Fly Freestyle. Submit a YouTube video, get as creative as you like and share your story – the world is waiting.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Elite Aerial Development Program works with young athletes who have a strong acrobatic background, not necessarily a ski background.
- U.S. Team athletes like Mike Rossi (Long Valley, NJ) and Ashley Caldwell (Ashburn, VA) who began their career with EADP and are now successful World Cup athletes and strong 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games hopefuls.
- Athletes under the age of 19 can submit their videos for a chance to win an invitation to train with the U.S. Freestyle Team.
- Submit your acrobatic videos here.
- The athlete's video with the most votes will train with the U.S. Team in either Park City, UT or Lake Placid, NY.
QUOTES
Mike Rossi
Moving to the Elite Aerial Development Program (EADP) was a big step in my career. The coaches took all I knew about doing flips on the backyard tramp and refined my skills into something worth using in freestyle aerials. The professionalism in a camp like this will show the kids what they're getting into, and as a bonus they get to train alongside some of the best in the world. If I had this opportunity when I was thinking of starting aerials, I surely would have taken it.
Eric Bergoust
The Elite Aerial Development Program (EADP) identifies talented acrobatic athletes and builds strong foundations of these future national team members to prepare them to become the best in the world. Many of the current U.S. Ski Team aerialists graduated from the EADP earlier in their career. At Deer Valley Resort last winter, former EADP member Mike Rossi jumped his way onto the podium at the biggest aerial World Cup in North America. This program has a long line of success stories.
Pass along this link to your acrobatic friends. The world is waiting!
