Intro
My name is Katharine Irwin. I am 19 years old from Vail, CO and a current member of the US Ski Team Europa Cup Speed Team. As an alpine ski racer skiing mostly Downhill, Super G and Giant Slalom. Being a member of the US Ski Team is a HUGE accomplishment, but I, along with many other athletes, do not receive any funding from the US Ski Team. This year my team fees are a minimum of $25,000. I could not have accomplished all that I have thus far without the support of my friends, family, and coaches.
Please join my in my Rally to reach my goals of representing the USA in the Winter Olympics, the 2015 World Championship, and the World Cup Tour.
The Why
It is no secret that ski racing is a very expensive sport. Being nominated for the US Ski Team while still in High School and continuing on with the team for the years immediately following has given me little time for a job. If I am not out somewhere skiing I am in the gym training from 8 AM-3 PM five days a week or more. I am passionate about my goal to make it to the top, and will do everything in my power to achieve my goal. I hope that my passion for the sport of Alpine Ski racing will inspire other young women to push themselves to their limits and beyond in sports and academics and beyond… If I achieve my own goal, my life will change as I to show others how hard work, passion, and focus can make a little kids dream come true.
Your story, your background
I grew up in Vail, Colorado with Vail and Beaver Creek Mountains for my back yard. I lived on the mountains whether it was summer or winter. I started skiing, on my own, at age 1 1/2. Before I could walk, I “skied” in my Mom’s backpack—always telling her “Faster! Faster!” I fell in love with the sport immediately.
I joined Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV) around the age of five, skiing mostly on the weekends. I skied the entire mountain and especially loved skiing on little trails in the trees. Shortly after joining SSCV I started to race the Vail Cup Races on the weekends. That is when I fell in love with racing. At age seven, I moved up to the race program and have never stopped racing.
I was nominated to the US Ski Team when I was 16 years old. I completed high school while on the road with the USST with a 4.0 GPA. This winter will be my third season with the US Ski Team. Many people ask me what is it about ski racing that has kept me at it for over a decade. The answer is simple, but hard to put into words. The feeling you get when you make a perfect turn, the rush of going 75+ MPG on skinny little skis, the community, the support of teammates and friends, pushing your physical and mental limits to the extreme maximum.
Finally, if you have ever run a Downhill or Super G and have been super scared at the top, but you make yourself push out of that start and you know that you have to put your fears aside and ski or you will get hurt, but when you reach the finish line all you want to do is to go do it again. These are the reasons I love this sport and it might not make any sense to people unfamiliar with the sport and maybe even non skier, but ski racing is crazy fun sport that is hard to put into words unless you have experienced it yourself.
Successes
1st Place NorAm Super G, Panorama, BC, Canada 2013
11th Super G & Downhill, US Nationals, Squaw Valley CA & Copper Mtn , CO
7th overall NorAm Super G Standing
2012, 2013, & 2014 member of the US Ski Team
J2 National Champion SG 1st, GS 1st
My Team
I have been extremely fortunate to grow up in a community with a world class ski club in my back yard, so I would like to thank Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Dan Stripp and Nick Foster (my SSCV coaches the year I made the USST), the Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy, the Vail Valley Foundation, the Town of Vail, the US Ski Team, and finally my coaches on the Ski Team the past few years: Seth McCadam, Mike Prado, Trevor Wagnor, Jeff Pickering, and Jonathan Weyant. Also I would not be here without the support of my family: my mother Diane Boyer, my father Dudley Irwin, and my sister Jocelyn Irwin.
Other Ways To Help
Thank you for taking the time to support my Rally. Please help me spread the word by sharing my Rally via facebook, twitter, or simply emailing it to all your friends.
Select A Support Level
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$25Personal thank you email.
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$50Personal thank you email, and signed postcard.
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$100Personal thank you email, signed postcard, and US Ski Team Sticker.
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$200Personal thank you email, signed postcard, US Ski Team pin or sticker, and a Skea headband.
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$350Personal thank you email, signed postcard, US Ski Team pin or sticker, and a Skea pompom hat
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$500Personal thank you email, signed postcard, US Ski Team pin or sticker, Skea pompom hat or headband, and Skea base layer
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$1,000Personal thank you email, signed postcard, US Ski Team pin or sticker, Skea pompom hat or headband, Skea base layer, and Skea vest
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$2,500Personal thank you email, signed postcard, US Ski Team pin or sticker, Skea pompom hat or headband, Skea base layer, and Skea jacket
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$25,000The person who donates the most will receive all of the above, a full skea ski outfit, and a ski day with Katharine Irwin.
Updates
Comments
Name | Comment |
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Katharine Irwin | Thank you so much to everyone for supporting my Rally! With your support I have surpassed my goal of $25000 (I have received many donations outside of rally)! Thank you all so much for your support once again! |
KC Lasher | Katharine, good luck! I wish you all the best. Keep after it and ski FAST! Mr. Lasher |
janet testwuide | Totally understand the sacrifice and motivation it takes to perform at this level! You come from amazing genetics and have wonderful support and community behind you. Your family has been so generous over the years and it feels good to "give back" a little. Keep up the hard work and we'll cheer you on each step of the way. |
Dede, David, Ryder, Jesse | Go Katharine! We hope you make it east this winter so we can see you! We love you and cheer for you always, from Maine! Dede, David, Ryder, Jesse |
Karen Blommer | Good Luck Katharine! The Blommers |
Katharine Irwin | Thank you all so much for your support thus far! In just 8 days we have raised about half of my ultimate goal! I will be sending out the swag 3 times through out my rally, once 25 days into my rally, once 50 days into my rally, and once at the end of my rally! These dates might fluctuate due to my travel and race schedule, but I will get all the swag out as soon as I can! Thank you so much for all of your support! Please don't forget to share my rally through email, social media, or word of mouth! Thank you so much once again! |
janis McEachron | Katherine, You will do GREAT both on and off the hill. Jan |
Des Mccarley | Hey Katharine please don't send me any swag! Get mom to sell it and add the money to the pot. Had to sign up as I have already had my ski day with you! Good luck for the season hope to catch up again in April. Des |
Mary Moyer | So proud of you Katherine!!! Go fast....xo |
Pamela Moyce | Good Luck! And let me know if you need some Snow Angels to keep warm! |
renee diao | Go Katharine!!!!! |
Darren Droge | Ski Forever !!! |
Jamie Klein | Best of Luck Katherine. Kick Butt!! |
The Pietrzak Family | Best of luck to you!! |