01/07/2023
PARK CITY, UT/BRADFORD, VT (Nov. 29, 2022) - World Cup Supply, Inc. (WCS), a leading supplier to the ski racing, ski resort and event industries, announced Maddie Kaiserman (Park City, UT) as the first recipient of a Berlack/Astle Award grant for 2022. Kaiserman is currently a Park City Ski and Snowboard team member and a 40-point FIS giant slalom skier.
A 2021 graduate of the Winter Sports School, Kaiserman is a named National Development Group team member who was recommended by U.S. Ski & Snowboard Western Region/Intermountain Division leadership as an athlete with significant potential who would benefit from the financial assistance offered by the award. She is the 11th recipient
of a Berlack/Astle Award grant and joins the 10 previous award winners who all possess the skiing talent and positive personal attributes that both Ronnie and Bryce embodied.
The grants program is named in honor of U.S. Ski Team athletes Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle, who were killed in a 2015 avalanche. Their legacy lives on through the grants program.
2022 marks the second year where award grants are made from a pool of funds set aside each year ($5,000) by WCS. Multiple award grants may be made annually based on recommendations from Western/Intermountain and Eastern Region leadership. Any unused funds are rolled over from year to year. The $3,000 award grant will help Kaiserman
with expenses related to the upcoming NorAm races in Colorado.
“She is an outstanding athlete and a true leader and role model within our FIS women's program,” said Park City Ski & Snowboard Team coach Jason Hey. “This support will aid in her efforts of reaching her goal of qualifying for the U.S. Ski Team.”
In submitting her nomination, Bill Gunesch, of U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Western Region noted: “Madison is a 40-point giant slalom skier, planning to compete actively on this year’s NorAm circuit. She is a diligent, hardworking athlete on and offthe hill, and she just surpassed the SkillsQuest Fitness benchmark required by the national team.”
“I want to start out by saying thank you so much for investing in me and putting support into my skiing career,” said Kaiserman. “Ski racing has become such an important part of my life and although financially it's been a bit challenging to keep up, people like you and companies like World Cup Supply are the reason I'm still out here chasing my dreams and doing what I love. So, I truly can't thank you enough for providing me with the funding to continue my development
in this sport.
“It's an honor to be selected for this grant and to carry on the memories of Bryce and Ronnie. Over the years, I've learned a lot about Bryce and Ronnie through BRASS Avalanche courses and through the skiing community, which makes this grant even more special to me. I can't quite express how meaningful it is to carry on their legacy, but I want you to know that I'm immensely grateful and will do my absolute best to honor them while working hard to reach my goals.”
Kaiserman was presented with the award check during a U.S. Ski Team training camp at Copper Mountain, CO. The presentation was highlighted by Ronnie’s mom, Cindy, being on hand to present BRASS Avalanche snow safety classes to all U.S. Ski Team team members and coaches who were training at Copper.
“Maddie is a super young woman and a deserving recipient of a Berlack/Astle Award,” said Cindy Berlack, chair of BRASS Avalanche. “She has a big personality and a never-ending smile, not to mention her skiing. I am sure both Ronnie and Bryce would approve.”
“Maddie’s energy is infectious and it’s a treat to be able to spend some time with and get to know one of our award recipients,” said World Cup Supply President Brad Williams who made the trip to Copper Mountain to present the big check. “Being a 40-point skier Maddie clearly has the skiing talent to excel at the FIS level and all of us at World Cup Supply are pleased to be able to help aspiring athletes like Maddie get to the places and events where they need to be participating and competing.”
World Cup Supply began in 1991, providing ski areas and events with supplies and innovative solutions. As a part of its mission, it seeks to play a role in enhancing safety in alpine skiing, alpine ski racing and other action sports as a leading authority on race hill safety. It has offices in Bradford, VT and Park City, UT.
