Winter Olympic & Paralympic Preview

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Friday, February 4, 2022

SVSEF, PAPOOSE CLUB ANNOUNCE RETURN OF NORDIC CUP RACE-After a two-year hiatus, the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation and the Papoose Club are joining forces for the Nordic Cup on Feb. 13. This event is free and open to all kids ages 3-13 on the trails at the BCRD Quigley Nordic center in Hailey. Classic and skating events on courses ranging in distances from a halfkilometer to 3K are offered as well as an obstacle course. Races begin at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “Gliding on Rainbows,” which celebrates the return of full spectrum of Papoose Club activities.

Costumes in bright colors are encouraged. There will be prizes for the first 60 kids that sign up. Day of registration is at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, go to www.papooseclub.org/nordic-cup.

Sports EDITOR JON MENTZER: (208) 726-8060 sports@mtexpress.com

BALDY CHALLENGE TO BENEFIT SENIOR CONNECTION IN MEMORY OF CHRIS HILLEARY-The Senior Connection in Hailey will be the beneficiary of the 11th Annual Baldy Challenge, which will honor Chris Hilleary. This event is currently underway and will last through Feb. 28. Skiers pay $30 at PK’s Ski and Sports, Apples Bar & Grill or The Senior Connection to ski all the runs on Baldy during the 28 days of February and be entered into a raffle for the chance to win fun prizes, 20222023 ski pass if you participate in the Full Baldy Challenge or the 3 Bear Challenge. Completed run cards need to be turned in to PK’s by March 1 to qualify for drawings on March 7. In 2021, the event raised $11,125 for the Senior Connection.

2022 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Preview

Express file photo by Roland Lane

Knight was propelled to stardom as a four-time Olympian, and three-time medalist (winning gold in Pyeongchang in 2018).

Hilary Knight, Team USA aim for gold

Jake Adicoff (left) and Sam Wood (right) celebrate after Adicoff’s first-place finish at the Para World Championships in Norway.

Sun Valley resident believes Americans have the skillset in women’s hockey

BROTHERS WITH A VISION

Courtesy photos by Gisle Johnsen

Jake Adicoff, Sam Wood eye Paralympic Gold

By JON MENTZER Express Staff Writer

When Hilary Knight broke the all-time World Championships scoring record in career goals (45) on Aug. 24 for the Americans, it was another accolade in the storied career of the Sun Valley resident.

However, Knight—and Team USA—aren’t done, as the Americans are favored to reach the Gold Medal Game at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Knight has been a huge deal in Sun Valley ever since she and her parents—James and Cynthia Knight—moved here in 2000 from Palo Alto, California. Her popularity has gotten so big that May 19 is officially “Hilary Knight Day.” Since first suiting up for the national team in 2006, Knight, 32, has grown to be the face of the sport and a national icon, fueling the growth of women’s hockey both locally and across the country. Knight was propelled to stardom as a four-time Olympian and three-time medalist, winning gold in Pyeongchang in 2018.

This year’s Beijing Games will look different from usual, with COVID-19 lingering in the background. However, Knight said she is keeping her eyes on the podium.

“I’m expecting things to be adaptable,” Knight said.

“We have to take one day at a time. If COVID has taught us anything, it’s you have to adjust and adapt.”

Team USA opened the Olympics on Thursday, Feb. 3, a day before the Opening Ceremonies (Feb. 4) against Finland in Group A at Wukesong Sports Centre. According to Knight, Team USA has been ready for quite some time.

“We always look good,” Knight said. “I’m really excited. We have a great mixture of veterans and some newer players on the squad. What I’m most looking forward to in the Olympics is finally taking the world stage and showcasing all of our abilities.”

The roster welcomes veterans like Megan Keller and Briana Decker back to go along with first-year players Abby Roque and Abbey Murphy. Knight said Murphy is a player that the crowd should tune in to watch because of her presence and attitude.

“You love to feed off of her fire,” Knight said of Murphy. “Her competitiveness is like nobody I’ve ever seen.

I’m excited for that to be unleashed.”

Along with one of the best rivalries in sports against See OLYMPIC HOCKEY, Page 15

By JON MENTZER

L

Express Staff Writer

ike most skiers, Jake Adicoff was on snow in early elementary school. Even then, he was legally blind: While Jake was in utero, he contracted chickenpox; as a result, he has scars on both of the macula in his eyes. From birth, he had no vision in his right eye and very limited vision in his left.

But the Sun Valley resident was born to Nordic ski—and even he couldn’t ignore his talent. Come March, Adicoff will be competing at the 2022 Paralympic Games in Beijing with friend and Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Gold Team member Sam Wood as his guide.

The pairing has been nothing short of elite. On Jan. 13, Adicoff earned his first Para World Championship gold medal in the Men’s Middle C, Visually Impaired 12.5-kilometer cross-country race in Lillehammer, Norway. He finished first among 134 athletes, clocking a time of 33 minutes, 54 seconds.

“Being able to share that moment and help him is fun,” Wood said.

“Win or lose, we have a good time.

On the days you win, it’s a bit more special because you know everything went well. My job is to help Jake get as much out of himself as he can. If we win, that tells me I did my job because, in mind, we should be winning every day.”

A serendipitous comeback Back in the middle of 2014, Adicoff had plans to go ski at Bowdoin

Courtesy photos by Gisle Johnsen

Jake Adicoff will be competing in his third Paralympics. Previously, Adicoff earned a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

“There are no barriers. It’s a different thing competing with a close friend that I’ve spent a lot of time with.”

Sam Adicoff Skier College in Maine. A few days before Adicoff began his journey from Idaho to Maine, Sam Wood was making his trek the other way, from Maine to Idaho.

After high school, and before going to Middlebury College in

Vermont, Wood spent a year with friend Braden Becker in the SVSEF Post Grad program.

The day before Adicoff was set to leave, Wood and Becker drove into Ketchum, and with not even a couch to crash on, Wood received a call from SVSEF Nordic Program Director Rick Kapala, telling the two lost skiers that he had found a house for them. That house was the home of Sam Adicoff and Sue Conner— Jake’s house.

So, Adicoff and Wood, going in the opposite direction, met briefly for 24 hours before Jake headed east. However, that brief meeting would have a lasting effect. The Adicoffs offered their house to Wood for two months, and Jake and Sam stayed in contact when Sam went back to Vermont.

The two also competed against each other while Adicoff was at Bowdoin and Wood was at Middlebury.

They saw each other six weekends a year and spent three summers together training in Sun Valley.

“We have such a strong friendship, which makes the communication a lot easier while competing,” Adicoff said. “There are no barriers.

It’s a different thing competing with a close friend that I’ve spent a lot of time with.”

By then, Adicoff had climbed through the ranks of the SVSEF junior Nordic development team and parlayed that into an impressive para skiing career. A Wood River High School product, Adicoff earned a lot of early success while at college. He was a U.S. Paralympics See ADICOFF, Page 15

Express

Josey headlines locals to Beijing Bolger to compete in cross-country; more Idaho ties

By JON MENTZER Express Staff Writer

Coming from a state of less than two million people, it’s rare for athletes from Idaho to compete on the world stage.

This year, though, there are 10 athletes that are either Idaho-born or have deep Idaho ties in line to compete in the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing.

The sky’s the limit for Josey Leading off the list is Hailey local and Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation alum snowboarder Chase Josey, who is making his second appearance on Team USA. “I really can’t think of a more deserving Olympian than Chase Josey,” SVSEF Snowboarding Program Director Andy Gilbert said. “His work ethic, humility, creativity and determination are all things we should be proud of and admire.”

In the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, Josey, 26, finished in sixth place in the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe. Other accolades: Mammoth Grand Prix winner (2018), Laax World Cup winner (2017) and Red Bull Double Pipe winner (2015).

Bolger ready for his debut Wisconsin-native Kevin Bolger, 28, has spent numerous years in Sun Valley as a Post Grad Team member (201113) and an XC Gold Team member (2017-present) for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Cross-Country program. All that work has paid off, as Bolger will make his debut as an Olympian in the Men’s Cross-Country Freestyle Sprint, which takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

“It’s a childhood dream come true,” Bolger, said. “Being named to my first Olympic team is something I’ve been working towards my entire career, and to be able to share this news with my family and everyone who has supported me to this point is just as rewarding as when I was told I made the team.”

Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe Schedule Qualifying and Final events on NBC and Peacock (all times Mountain Standard Time) Qualifying Runs 1, 2: Tues., Feb. 8 at 9:30 p.m.

Finals: Thurs., Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

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Friday, February 4, 2022

15

Taking a lap with NBC Sports reporter Steve Porino Q & A with Olympic and Tour de France correspondent, who has lived in Sun Valley since 2016

By JON MENTZER Express Staff Writer

Courtesy photo by Mike Dawsy

The last time Chase Josey competed in the Men’s Halfpipe in the Olympics was at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.

”I really can’t think of a more deserving Olympian than Chase Josey.”

Men’s and Women’s Individual Freestyle Sprint Qualifying and Final events on USA and Peacock (all times Mountain Standard Time) Qualifying Runs and Finals: Tues., Feb. 8 at 1:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.

Andy Gilbert SVSEF Snowboard Program Director Irwin shooting for gold in biathlon Biathlete Deedra Irwin, 29, made her mark while she was an SVSEF XC Gold Team member in 2016. Originally from Pulaski, Wisconsin, Irwin is the lone rookie on this year’s women’s biathlon team. While at the SVSEF, Irwin won the Birkebeiner Classic, Birkebeiner Elite Sprints, the Kangaroo Hoppet and was a was a two-time NCAA qualifier in 2016.

McCall natives—and sibling—Caitlin Patterson, 31, and Scott Patterson, 29, were named together for their second consecutive Olympics. Both Pattersons are cross-country long-distance specialists.

Nordic skier Danielle Aravich to compete in the Paralympics

Blaser will compete in the skeleton

Boise-native Danielle Aravich— who was born without her left hand and forearm—will compete in crosscountry skiing in the upcoming Paralympics. Aravish, 25, also competed in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in track and field.

It’s a family thing for the Pattersons

Andrew Blaser, 32, qualified for the Olympics in the skeleton. Blaser, 32, is a Boise native and will try to be the first American to medal in the skeleton for the first time since 2014 when Matthew Antoine took bronze at the Sochi Games.

Olympic Hockey

Adicoff

Olympic Hockey Schedule

Paralympics begin March 4

Continued from Page 14

Continued from Page 14

Team Canada, the Americans will look at Finland, Russia and Switzerland as top competition. The tournament culminates in the Gold Medal Game, which will be Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 9:10 p.m. MST on NBC.

Nordic Skiing National Champion in 2014 and earned a sixthplace finish that same year at the Sochi Paralympics. He followed that up with a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games in the 10K classic.

After he graduated in 2018, though, Adicoff called it quits and moved on with his life as a computer engineer and moved to San Francisco. All was well for Adicoff, who was working at Uber.

Meanwhile, Wood stayed in the competitive circuit with the SVSEF as a Gold Team member. The two friends stayed in touch. Then, in 2020, COVID-19 hit, and everything changed.

That April, Adicoff moved back to Ketchum and the two friends got an apartment together. Wood’s training motivated Adicoff, who hadn’t skied competitively for two years.

“Sam was skiing a lot and I was looking to get outside during the pandemic,” Adicoff said. “I had a good training partner, and I was just happy to go workout. I was casually training but didn’t realize I was getting back into shape.”

Soon, the competitive spirit reemerged. One day, Wood even told Adicoff that he was coming back, and that Wood was going to be his guide.

“Everyone else had a vision for Jake to return to the sport,” Wood said. “It just took him a little longer to figure it out than the rest of us. It really worked out well. Jake loves training and loves the sport more than anyone I know.”

With Wood’s guidance, Adicoff has had a resurgence in his career, which has the two friends eyeing gold at the Paralympics, which begin Friday, March 4, after the Olympics. The entire Paralympics will feature 78 events and will air on NBC and Peacock.

Women’s Hockey Schedule Games on USA Network and Peacock; Gold Medal Game on NBC (all times Mountain Standard Time) Game 1: USA vs. Finland, Thurs., Feb. 3 at 6:10 p.m.

Game 2: USA vs. Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), Sat., Feb. 5 at 6:10 p.m.

Game 3: USA vs. Switzerland, Sun., Feb. 6 at 6:10 p.m.

Game 4: USA vs. Canada, Mon., Feb. 7 at 9:10 p.m.

Quarterfinal 1: Thur., Feb. 10, at 9:10 p.m.

Quarterfinal 2: Fri., Feb. 11, at 6:10 a.m.

Quarterfinal 3: Fri., Feb. 11, at 9:10 p.m.

Quarterfinal 4: Sat., Feb. 12 at 1:40 a.m.

Semifinal 1: Sun., Feb. 13, at 9:10 p.m.

Semifinal 2: Mon., Feb. 14, at 6:10 a.m.

Bronze Medal Game: Wed., Feb. 16, at 4:30 a.m.

Gold Medal Game: Wed., Feb. 16, at 9:10 p.m.

Steve Porino has been an NBC Sports correspondent since 1997 covering Olympic skiing and the Tour de France.

In 2016, Porino and his wife, Amanda, moved their family to the Sun Valley area. Recently, NBC reported that it was not sending any of its announcing teams to Beijing to cover the Olympics due to COVID-19. The Idaho Mountain Express sat down with Porino for a question-and-answer style interview before NBC announced its decision.

What is more exciting to cover, the Tour de France or the Olympics?

The Tour de France is so interesting because I didn’t grow up a cyclist. Also, the Tour de France is the antithesis of the Olympics. Ever since 9/11, the Olympics have been shut down to public crowds.

For example, in the Korea Winter Games (in 2018) there was nobody there. More people were watching the FIS race at Warm Springs a few weeks ago than there were watching alpine skiing in Korea.

Whereas the Tour de France there are 15 million people on the side of the road from beginning to end, so the stories and all the things that happen are an ever-revolving narrative.

”When you get into Olympic sports and the Tour, there’s so much more storytelling that goes on, there’s so much more to discover.”

Steve Porino

What is the most amazing thing you’ve seen while broadcasting?

Moments like England’s Chris Froome running up Mont Ventoux without his bike in Stage 12 of the 2016 Tour de France because his bike got ran over. I was also there in the 2006 Torino Winter Games where Bode Miller was the poster child of the NBC coverage, and he came away with no medals. I was the one who had to chase him down, which is not something I like to do. All this pressure placed on some of these athletes is unbelievable.

What is your favorite part of your job?

When it gets right down to it, the job itself. Being able to react quickly, especially when it comes to the Olympic Games, because our audience grows 100-fold. Your communication changes, you’re explaining the sport and telling the athletes’ stories. When you get into Olympic sports and the Tour, there’s so much more storytelling that goes on, there’s so much more to discover.

Have you ever been star-struck?

Yes, in alpine skiing. I’ve been star-struck around [Italian alpine skier] Alberto Tomba. I was also star-struck around [Austrian alpine skier] Hermann Maier.

Who inspires you?

I’ve worked with some amazing broadcasters.

Tim Ryan—who lived in Sun Valley—was a longtime broadcaster who has called everything from boxing to hockey. To be mentored by a guy of that caliber is everything. Christin Cooper is so cerebral and so intelligent with how she goes about broadcasting. She will not let me get away with anything subpar on television. And Dan Hicks.

He is one of the greatest play-by-play guys I have ever worked with. He is a consummate professional and constantly raising the bar. Everything is about serving the audience with Dan.