SQUAW VALLEY, Calif. – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association has joined the Lake Tahoe area in mourning the loss of two of its most promising USSA Far West racers. Brendan Allan and Bryan Richmond, both members of the Squaw Valley Ski Team, were killed in an avalanche Thursday.

The two racers, both 17, died while skiing in the back country behind the KT22 lift at Squaw. Both were highly competitive racers who loved to ski – both on the course and off. They were making the last run of the day when they were caught in a large avalanche triggered by heavy wet snow.

There was a memorial gathering Tuesday at The Resort at Squaw Creek, next to Squaw Valley USA. In place of floral gifts, the families prefers donations to a newly established trust funds: The Brendan Allan and Bryan Richmond Memorial Junior Ski Racing Fund, Box 7755 , Tahoe City, Calif., 96145.

“This is a big loss for the families and for our USSA Far West program,” said USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt. “These were young men who truly loved skiing and the sport of ski racing.”

Both were top-ranked skiers with strong finishes in last year’s Junior Olympics (Junior 2 age category). In last year’s JOs, Allan finished sixth in super-G, seventh in slalom, eighth in downhill and ninth in giant slalom. Richmond was sixth in downhill and slalom and seventh in super-G. Both were invited to and attended Western Region camps last summer and fall as first-yearJ1 racers.