USADSF eNewsletter - December 12, 2005

USA Deaf Sports Federation is a non-profit sport organization serving the deaf and hard of hearing. For information about USADSF, visit http://www.usdeafsports.org or send an e-mail to .

FREMONT, CA — December 6, 2005 — The 2006 World Deaf Cycling Championships (WDCC) organizing committee is excited to announce a media agreement with DeafNation, Inc. to present the week-long international event on the Web with daily video coverage and up-to-date results.

"The WDCC is a global event and we are delighted to make it possible for the international community to root for their champions," stated Robin Horwitz, WDCC Director. "We are proud to be partnering with DeafNation, a veteran in deaf sports coverage and the media sponsor of the past two winter and summer Deaflympics."

USA was selected in 2004 to host the 2006 championships and will hold the event at various venues in around the Bay Area during the week of June 18-24, 2006. This is the first time the event will be held in North America and the first time it will receive Internet coverage. To date, teams from10 nations have committed, some from as far away as Australia and South Africa.

"This event has become accessible to families, friends, fans, and cycling enthusiasts who will be unable to come to San Francisco," said Horwitz. "We are excited, especially for our sponsors and European audiences."

"We look forward to bringing the WDCC into Internet coverage," said Joel Barish, CEO of DeafNation. "We are planning a full scale media coverage with several cameras and personnel to capture this thrilling and historic event." The broadcast will be at www.deafnation.com and the website will be linked to from www.usdeafsports.org/2006cycling.

Video coverage of the 2006 WDCC will feature the 100km Road Race along scenic roads of the Pescadero and San Jose and high-speed events at the Hellyer Park Velodrome. The website will be refreshed daily with results, photos, and video clips. Plans are currently underway to enable live video coverage and minute-by-minute results on the website.

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.

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.

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.

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