Park City, UT (Tuesday, July 23, 2002) - Alan Bender (Winter Park, CO), 2001 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Disabled Coach of the Year and former head coach of the disabled program at Winter Park Resort in Colorado, has been named the new alpine head coach of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, it was announced Monday.

Sandy Metzger, disabled program director, said Bender, 36, was selected after a lengthy search to replace Ewald Zirbisegger, who retired after the Paralympic season, a winter in which the Ski Team again led the Nations Cup, symbolic of team superiority on the alpine World Cup tour, and won 37 medals at the Paralympics in March.

"Alan has worked with both the able-bodied and disabled programs at Winter Park," Metzger said, "and is familiar with the national team, so he's making a quick and smooth transition."

Born in Minden, NE, Bender was involved in motocross racing when he moved to Colorado about two decades ago. He joined the ski school staff at Winter Park in 1984 and was named head coach of the able-bodied, age-class program in 1989; in that role, he worked with future U.S. Ski Team racers Alison Powers and Bret Fischer, among others.

He left coaching after the 1995 season but returned with the disabled program at Winter Park two years later. After the '98 Paralympic season, Bender was named disabled head coach, winning the USSA honor a year ago.

"We lose some outstanding veterans to retirement, a couple are recovering from injuries and several other medal-winners are taking a break this season," Bender said. "So, one of our first goals is to rebuild the program to maintain the high level of success which U.S. disabled skiers have achieved year in and year out. We'll make some changes but I think we can make the program even stronger although, honestly, it may take a year.

"I'm really pleased these athletes are so enthusiastic," he continued, "and anxious to continue the team's successful performance. I know it's going to be quite a season."