New York, NY – For nearly half a decade, New York City has gathered to salute the U.S. Ski Team and send America’s skiers and snowboarders off onto the global circuit. This past week, nearly 20 Olympians were among athletes at Gotham Hall for the 46th annual send-off. But it was a different atmosphere this year as New York grappled with the havoc wrought a week earlier with Hurricane Sandy – something that wasn’t lost on the USSA athletes gathered in the city.
Despite coming off a record year with a dozen athletes winning season titles, media events and fanfare just didn’t feel right this fall in New York. Instead, a dozen U.S. athletes gave up their day in the city to pitch in with relief efforts through New York Cares.
“Today I had the honor of being with a dozen of my teammates helping those in need,” said Olympic champion Billy Demong in his address to the sold-out crowd of supporters. “As a native New Yorker, it’s really impressive to be among athletes like this.”
As New York was shouldering yet another bout with mother nature in the form of heavy snow, athletes dug in at a New York warehouse, helping with New York Cares’ coat and clothing drive. Athletes, staff and supporters also brought warm clothing to New York to help with the drive. With hundreds of thousands still without power and heat, the clothing was critical to relief efforts.
That evening, Olympic Champion Julia Mancuso kicked off the live auction with a special Dawn Patrol package at her Squaw Valley Resort home that brought in thousands for Hurricane relief.
As if on cue, snow blanketed New York for the Team’s Gold Medal Gala. And while it was good to foreshadow the season ahead, it also highlighted the concern shared by New Yorkers in the throes of one of the city’s biggest national disasters.