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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, January 29-31, 2020 B-3 The Park Record Continued from B-1 Gold medals VOTED PARK CITY’S BEST STEAK HOUSE 6 YEARS IN A ROW! “It’s insane. Colby may be a rookie to X Games this year, but to all of us skiers he’s been the greatest skier in the world for the past couple of years,” McEachran said. “He’s the most talented, hard-working guy. Nobody deserves it more than him. He’s been through a lot and to see him put it down today, it’s just amazing.” Stevenson said he wasn’t nervous coming in. Fellow Park City skier Alex Hall, who won his first slopestyle gold last year, told him X Games wasn’t quite as intense as it was shown to be on television. Plus, winning knuckle huck on Thursday took some of that edge off, as well. “I really wanted to win knuckle huck, so to do that boosted my confidence for sure. It got me really excited for slopestyle,” Stevenson said. “I was feeling less pressure just because I had nothing to lose. I’m here to prove myself and prove why I should have been invited years ago. I just was excited. I wanted to Continued from B-1 Hyeway Hill nighttime training and competition, improved snowmaking for earlier training seasons and a new fixed grip quad chairlift. According to Clark, the new expansion project will help foster in a new wave of winter sport athletes who are expected to grow their respective sports even more. This is something that was vital to the project, making it based primarily around the futures of kids who have Olympic-level dreams. “We like to see ourselves as more than just a training site for people, but rather a full training center — with the help of the new residences — to inspire young kids to get involved and not to only thrive, but to chase their dreams,” Clark said. “We are trying to provide a full ser- AUSTIN COLBERT/THE ASPEN TIMES Parkite Colby Stevenson, right, is congratulated Saturday after the men’s ski slopestyle final at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado. Stevenson has now reached superstar status after he won slopestyle gold after taking gold earlier in the week in the inaugural ski knuckle huck competition. show people what I could do.” It also was the first X Games medal for McEachran, who was eighth in Friday’s big air final. His best previous slopestyle finish had been eighth in 2017 in both Aspen and Norway. He was 11th in 2019. Finishing fourth in slopestyle Saturday was Switzer- land’s Andre Ragettli and fifth Canada’s Alex Beaulieu-Marchand. Hall was sixth in defense of his 2019 gold, while Indiana’s Nick Goepper was seventh and Norway’s Ferdinand Dahl was eighth. “I’ve been to Aspen probably five times now, and it’s gotten away from me every time,” McEachran said of his first X Games medal. “So to put it down in the new format today and ski consistent like I did, I’m blown away. I blew my mind today. I’m very happy to see Colby Stevenson, one of my best friends, end up on top. I could not be happier.” vice for both young kids and visiting national teams. Our commitment isn’t just about the Olympics. … We are focused on building kids up from the start that may one day be the future Olympic athletes of the next generations.” The first phase of the improvements took place west of the Alf Engen Ski Museum and parking lot. The project also moved a portion of the road that goes up the mountain to a different location, thus providing a much better flow of traffic without interrupting training or competitions. The new intermediate training hill at UOP has been named “Hyeway,” mostly in regard to Kristie Kumming, someone who’s heavily involved in the Park City skiing community and a major contributor on the project. “I am in awe of what we have achieved,” Kumming said. “I am so proud of my winter sports community and the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundations’ support of the dreams of our young athletes on their journey to excellence. There is no other multi-disciplinary training venue like it in our state and we will quickly see our investments pay off.” The name “Hyeway”, according to Clark, is twofold. Not only is it a nod to Kumming’s Armenian heritage, the play on words part is referencing the UOP’s goal of being a “highway” for athlete development. At its core, the expansion is not just for world-class athletes looking to take the next step in their respective careers. It’s also for the novice and regular individuals just looking to enjoy some winter sports, giving them an opportunity to train at what will be some of the best facilities offered in the winter sports community. With phase one complete, phase two is still in process of receiving funding according to Clark — approximately $6.8 million of the total $11 million has been raised to date. If fundraising continues at its expected pace, the second phase of the expansion is expected to begin in a year or two, although the planning stages are already well underway and be completed by the winter of 2022. This new expansion will provide UOP with more ski runs along the west side of the bobsled track. “Our partners are still seeking more donors, and we have a critical timeline where we need to be financially set by a certain date,” Clark set. “All stakeholders can now see that phase one is open and see the value of a new facility, which should help phase two get going more. But as an organization, we are fully committed to meeting the timelines we’ve set to open up on time.” With the new and improved facilities giving way to the opportunity of hosting World Cup and International Ski Federation competitions in the future, everything being done at Utah Olympic Park is part of a larger goal: the 2030 or 2034 Olympic Winter Games, something Utah’s Olympic organizing committee is shooting for. “As far as this being an Olympic venue in the future, this expansion is the part of us showing the U.S. and World Olympic committees that we are fully committed to winter sports,” Clark said. Building the Right Working Environment Membership • Day Use • Amenities Please contact Assemble, for more information and pricing. 435-709-7359 | AssemblePark City.com A rising tide lifts all nonprofit organizations (okay, and boats) The Bessie Minor Swift Foundation funds programs that emphasize literacy, reading and writing, science and interdisciplinary areas that will lift you to a higher level! Grant applications from certified tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations are now being accepted. Applications ranging from $500 to $3000 will be considered. DEADLINES: • Grant Application Deadline: Saturday, February 15, 2020 • Grant Awards Announcement: Friday, May 1, 2020 APPLICATIONS: To apply, please visit the Bessie Minor Swift Foundation website at: www.bessieminorswift.org parkrecord.com 840 Main Street, Park City 435.655.9739 • primeparkcity.com Roof Top Snow Removal |