The 2019 Steadman Clinic Vail Cup returns Sunday, Jan 13 with Lil’ Big Mountain and giant slalom racing on Vail Mountain. This is the first installment of the four-part Vail Cup series.

The Steadman Clinic Vail Cup is a free community event organized by Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV) for skiers and snowboarders born in 2003 and younger. There is no cost to participate, and an SSCV membership is not required. Buddy Werner, BEVO, DEVO and independents are all welcome. Participants should be at a minimum comfortable skiing or snowboarding a blue run, but no competition experience is necessary.

“The Vail Cup is a tremendous opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate ski and snowboard competition in a fun, welcoming environment,” said SSCV Executive Director Kirk Dwyer. “The series is designed to introduce young athletes to a variety of competitive disciplines with the hope that they may discover something they are truly passionate about.”

In 1963, the newly formed Ski Club Vail hosted its first Rocky Mountain Ski Association race, and from that, the Vail Cup was born. More than 50 years later, the Vail Cup was reimagined as a children’s competition series encompassing many of the programs offered by SSCV.

“Thanks to the support of the Steadman Clinic, Alpine Bank and other community partners, we are able to provide this experience to local children at no cost to the families,” said Dwyer. “One of our top priorities at SSCV is to make participation in competitive snowsports as accessible as possible, and the Vail Cup is an ideal first step in that effort.”

After this Sunday’s Lil’ Big Mountain and GS competitions, the series rolls on with slopestyle and halfpipe competitions on Jan. 27, another GS and moguls on Feb. 17, and the GS finale on March 24.

Daily awards take place one hour after the conclusion of each day’s competition with season-long awards given out at the finale on March 24.

All participants must provide their own lift ticket or season pass.

For more information or to register in advance, visit www.VailCup.com. Bib pick-up will take place in the Golden Peak base lodge from 8 to 9 a.m. prior to each day’s events. Day-of registration is also available during the 8 a.m. hour.

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