Coaching staff formed to lead U.S. Team in alpine skiing and snowboarding.

The USA Deaf Sports Federation is pleased to announce the selections of U.S. Team coaches for the sports of alpine skiing and snowboarding.

Alpine Skiing: The head coach is Doug Dickinson, and his assistant coach is Nancy Bonura. Both Mr. Dickinson and Ms. Bonura served as coaches for the U.S. Team at the 2003 Winter Deaflympics in Sundsvall. They both did a magnificent job; the American ski racers claimed two silver and three bronze medals.

Mr. Dickinson has been a member of the U.S. 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 five levels: local, state, regional, national, and international.

Ms. Bonura has been a member of the U.S. 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 students who are deaf and staff at Santa Fe Ski Area. She is also regional-certified in coaching. For further information, contact: Senda Benaissa, USDSSA Director of Alpine Skiing, [e-mail]

Snowhoard: 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 U.S. Team bring home a number of medals. His snowboarding experiences include a stint as a snowboard coach at Whiteface Mountain in New York, and he was a professional snowboarder for Rossignol Ski & Snowboard Corporation, as well 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 U.S. 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 should be a great asset to the U.S. Team half-pipe training program. Ms. Smith also served as a coach for a competitive snowboard team in Oregon. She is an RID certified ASL interpreter. For further information, contact: Lisa Tempesta, USDSSA Director of Snowboarding, [e-mail]