Nearly 4,000 junior skiers and snowboarders, ages 11-19, are revving up for the annual U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s (USSA)

Chevy Truck Junior Olympic series, scheduled for February and March at 14 ski areas across the country.

Made possible by longtime U.S. Ski Team sponsor Chevy Trucks and administered by USSA, the series has become an annual rite of

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passage for juniors who love snow and are serious about fine-tuning their competitive skills. Conceived as part of USSA’s development

program for its national alpine team, the Junior Olympic series expanded in 2000 to also include the rapidly growing sports of cross country,

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freestyle, jumping, nordic combined and snowboarding. The 2001 events kick off on Feb. 1 with the Chevy Truck Snowboard Western

Region Mini Prix in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

“With the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Chevy Trucks is committed more than ever to helping support the athletes of the United

States as they pursue their dreams of athletic excellence,” said Chevy Truck National Advertising and Sales Promotion Director Mac

Whisner. “It is our hope that all young American ski and snowboard racers will advance one step closer to the ultimate goal: to be the best in

the world.”

Junior athletes qualify for the Chevy Truck series through Eastern, Rocky Central and Western Region events. Junior Olympic age groups are

defined by levels 1 (17-19), 2 (15-16), 3 (13-14) and 4 (11-12).

“It’s exciting to have a multi-sport program where athletes from all sports have a sense of unity in these USSA events,” said USSA National

Competition Services Director Walt Evans. “Many of our current and past U.S. Team members, such as AJ Kitt, Bode Miller, Alison Powers,

Eric Schlopy and Picabo Street, have come through this program.”

Junior and youth skiers can learn more about the program by checking their sport on the USSA website at http://www.usskiteam.com.

USSA’s Chevy Truck Junior Olympic Series

Feb. 1-4, Snowboard Western Region Mini Prix, Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Feb. 26- Mar. 4, Jumping/Nordic Combined, Lake Placid, N.Y.

Mar. 2-5, Snowboard Eastern Region Mini Prix, Sugarloaf, Maine

Mar. 3-9, Alpine Rocky/Central Region Junior 1 & 2, Beaver Creek, Colo.

Mar. 3-11, Cross Country, Marquette, Mich.

Mar. 5-11, Alpine Eastern Region Junior 1 & 2, Sugarloaf, Maine

Mar. 7-12, Alpine Western Region Junior 1, Squaw Valley, Calif.

Mar. 8-11, Freestyle, Big Mountain, Mont.

Mar. 8-11, Alpine Eastern Region Junior 3, Sunday River, Maine

Mar. 12-17, Alpine Rocky/Central Region Junior 3, Winter Park, Colo.

Mar. 15-19, Alpine Western Region Junior 3 & 4, Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Mar. 17-24, Alpine Western Region Junior 2, Mt. Bachelor, Ore.

Mar. 21-24, Alpine Rocky/Central Region Junior 4, Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Mar. 23-25, Alpine Eastern Region Junior 4 Festival, Stratton Mt., Vt.