VAIL, Colo.—October 15, 2024—SYNC Performance, provider of technical apparel, protective ski race equipment, and travel bags based in Vail, Colo, announces today the SYNC Athlete Fund Recipients for the 2024/25 season.

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2024/25 SYNC Athlete Fund! Since its establishment in 2019, the SYNC Athlete Fund has been committed to eliminating financial barriers for athletes aspiring to excel in ski racing. Our mission is to create a brighter future for the sport by inspiring, empowering, and supporting the next generation of talented ski racers.

In its sixth year, the SYNC Athlete Fund committee is proud to announce the awarding of $75,000 in grants to deserving senior athletes, along with additional support for junior athletes—marking an increase in overall funding. These grants will help them pursue their dreams of excelling in ski racing and achieving their athletic goals. The selection process focused on each athlete's financial need, quality of application responses, results, and letters of recommendation. The selected athletes closely align with the mission of the SYNC Athlete Fund and will greatly benefit from this support.

Congratulations to these hardworking athletes!

Eleri Smart - 2001
"My goals this year are to consistently achieve top NorAm results throughout the year in both slalom and GS, to get my first World Cup start, and to finish the season with a NorAm discipline title. Beyond the results I achieve this year though, I hope to have confidence in my racing abilities and to be able to consistently perform to the best of my ability, I hope to be as strong mentally as I am physically, and I know if I succeed in this, I will achieve the results I am aiming for."

Erik Read - 1991
"My first goal is to return to the top 30 WCSL in GS and Slalom by aiming for World Cup 10 results. At the World Championships I am aiming for a top 8 finish, and the potential for a medal in one of the team events. For the 2026 Olympic year, I am aiming for a medal."

Galena Wardle - 1998
"My competitive goals for the next year are to return to snow strong and confident. I tore my ACL in December of last season, before even really having a chance to race. Therefore, once I am comfortable in gates again I hope to return to racing in December. I will be focusing on high level FIS races in Europe, the European Cup Circuit and a few NorAms throughout the winter. My goal will be to lower my FIS points to low twenties and earn a top 15 result in EuropaCups. I hope to lower my points significantly to be more competitive in the Europa Cup races. As for the next 4 years, a lot will depend on how I feel returning to snow after this recent injury. My goal in the next two years is to be one of the top American racers in GS and Slalom and eventually earn World Cup starts. Most of all, I'm very excited to get back on snow and for the opportunity to show my best skiing!"

George Steffey - 1997
"For this coming season my goal is to make the World Championship Team and to qualify for World Cup Finals in GS. For the following year, the goal is to be selected for the US Olympic Team. Beyond that, my goal is to be on a World Cup podium. Additionally, I hope to use my ski racing results to inspire the next generation of racers and help grow the sport in the US."

Isac Hedstrom - 2000
"I want to show the Swedish federation and everyone back home that it is possible to pursue an education and still compete at the highest level. As of the last FIS point list I am ranked third in Sweden in Giant Slalom, Sweden holds three World Cup spots in GS, and my goal for this coming year is to fill one of those spots and compete in my first World Cup. Additionally, I’m aiming to perform well in the NCAA East races and win the NCAA finals at Dartmouth."

Jacob Dilling - 1999
"My competitive goals for the next 4 years are primarily focused on making the next Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. The past few seasons have been filled with setbacks and challenges, but I am more motivated than ever! for this upcoming season, I want to stamp my name into CU and NCAA ski racing history by podiuming at the NCAA at Dartmouth and getting a World Cup spot through NorAm. Overall my goal for the coming years is to live in the moment and have fun. When I am having fun, there is nothing that can stop me!"

Sammi Trudeau - 2002
"In the next four years I hope to continue racing competitively on both the EISA and NorAm circuit. I hope to race NCAAs at home this year and become an All-American. I would also like to be racing in each carnival for the rest of my college career. In terms of NorAms, I would like to maintain a top 30 rank in both slalom and Gs and race early season at these events."

Simon Fournier - 1997
"My main goal for the upcoming season is to break into the World Cup top 30 (WSCL) and achieve a top 15 result at the World Ski Championships in February 2025. Looking ahead to the 2026 season, I hope to qualify for the Olympic Games. In the long term, I aim to establish myself on the World Cup circuit with the ultimate goal of one day reaching the podium in Slalom."

Wiley Maple - 1990
"My personal goals in the sport are to finish in the top 25 in Downhill and SG. Win some World Cups with the large goal of winning an overall downhill title and competing in the Olympics while contending for a medal. Planning to push through the 2026 Olympics and then assess retirement or continued competition. The ultimate goal would be to change how ski racing operates—disrupting the national team monopoly and moving towards pro teams that allow the best opportunity for athletes and the health of the sport. While at the same time advocating for reasonable compensation. Based on the viewership athletes and coaches should be making a living at the very least—and a great living at best. While simultaneously advocating for better climate policy in sport and politically."