News Release

Anchorage, Alaska – Feb. 18, 2004

Planes, Train, Trucks, and Boat Deliver the U.S. Alpine Championships to Alaska

The United States Ski and Snowboard Association has loaded a 45-foot cargo container filled with about $100,000 worth of racing gear for the 2004 Chevrolet U.S. Alpine Championships that will be held on March 18-23, at Alyeska Resort. The gear began its journey from Salt Lake City, UT to Girdwood, AK on March 2. It is projected that about $1 million will be brought into our community because of this event.

The gear traveled by railroad from Salt Lake City to Tacoma, WA. It has then been loaded onto a ship to cross the seas of Prince William Sound, and arrive in Anchorage on March 9. A truck will then transport the gear 36 miles on the Seward Highway to Alyeska Resort. The staff at Alyeska Resort has already started getting ready for about 600 to 1,000 athletes, coaches, officials, parents and even more fans. In the next couple of days, Alyeska Resort will be transforming itself.

“People will start to notice the changes,” said Larry Daniels, Alyeska Ski Area general manager. “It’s exciting to see everything coming together to host this championship event.”

USSA will provide a lot of the gear including netting, banners, tents, start structures, pads, shovels, air fences and a variety of safety equipment. Each racer has six to ten pairs of skis that FedEx will fly to Alaska. Northland Services and Carlile Transportation have donated large shipping containers and secure storage facilities to store the skis and other equipment at the resort. It will also provide a place for the skiers to wax and prepare their skis for the races.

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Contacts:

Gary Scott
(907) 754-2211
gscott@alyeskaresort.com
Explore www.skianchorage.net