News & Media

Coaching Staff Formed to Lead US Team in Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding at 2007 Winter Deaflympics

SIOUX FALLS, SD – December 9, 2005 – The USA Deaf Sports Federation is pleased to announce the selections of the US Team coaches for the sports of alpine skiing and snowboarding.

ALPINE SKIING: The head coach of alpine skiing is Doug Dickson, and his assistant coach is Nancy Bonura.

Both Mr. Dickinson and Ms. Bonura served as coaches for the US Team at the 2003 Winter Deaflympics in Sundsvall. They both did a magnificent job; the American ski racers claimed 2 silvers and 3 bronzes.

Mr. Dickinson has been a member of the US Deaf Alpine Skiing Team since 1979 when he joined first as a competitor. From 1991 to 1999, he was a technician and assistant coach during the three Winter Deaflympics. He is regional-certified in coaching (5 levels: local, state, regional, national and international).

Ms. Bonura has been a member of US Deaf Alpine Skiing Team since she was a teenage racer in 1975. She won a bronze medal in Banff and two medals (silver and bronze) in Davos. She was appointed as an assistant coach, working with Mr. Dickinson in 2003. She helped establish the New Mexico School of the Deaf Ski Club where she continues coaching young deaf students and staff at Santa Fe Ski Area. She is also regional-certified in coaching.

Contact: Senda Benaissa, USDSSA Director of Alpine Skiing,

SNOWBOARD: The head coach of snowboard is Will Garrow, and his assistant coach is Andrea Smith.

Mr. Garrow is no stranger to those who attended the previous tryouts and the 2003 Winter Deaflympics. As head coach, he helped the US Team bring home a number of medals. His snowboarding experiences include a stint as a snowboard coach at Whiteface Mountain in New York and as a professional snowboarder for Rossignol Ski & Snowboard Corporation. He also served as their technical representative. Mr. Garrow displayed his skills in front of the camera for several Warren Miller films. He is fluent in sign language and is currently enrolled in the PhD program of Linguistics at Gallaudet University.

Ms. Smith is new to US Deaf Ski and Snowboard Association (USDSSA). She brings a wealth of experience as a snowboard instructor and former competitor for the half-pipe and park. She has studied and taught body mechanics analysis, which would be a great asset to the US Team half-pipe training program. Ms. Smith also served as a coach for a competitive snowboard team in Oregon. She is a RID certified ASL interpreter.

Contact: Lisa Tempesta, USDSSA Director of Snowboarding,

ATHLETE TRYOUTS: US Team Tryouts are scheduled for the week of 13-18 March 2006 at Telluride, Colorado. For more information, turn the page >>

Posted: December 09, 2005