My ski racing journey has been anything but traditional. Unlike many of my peers who began racing as mighty mites, I didn’t start until I was a second-year U16. In just three years, I’ve grown from a late starter learning the basics of gate training to a FIS-level competitor racing alongside some of the best athletes in the country. Each year marks a milestone of growth, resilience, and determination-all things I value on and off the hill and hope to carry into my future goal of skiing for one of the U.S. military academies.

I played competitive soccer for ten years, but after pressure and expectations built up, my passion drained, and I decided to no longer play. That same year, I joined a small weekend ski racing team on my all-mountain skis. Despite skiing weekends with my dad since childhood, my experience meant almost nothing in racing. While others competed at national events with sponsorships at this age, I was learning the basics of gate training, unlearning bad ski habits, and was often beaten by U14s at local Tahoe League races. Still, I fell in love with the sport and discovered that progress comes not from easy wins, but from showing up every day and working to get 1% better.

By my second year, I advanced to U18 but was still competing in U16 Far West races. Training opportunities were limited at my small resort, and midway through the season, I entered my first Super G with no prior experience. I crashed and fractured two parts of my knee. While the injury ended my season, it revealed how much skiing meant to me. Even with limited access to a high-level program and resources, I learned to make the most of what I had, a lesson that has carried me through every setback. Watching my peers continue training and skiing while I focused on physical therapy only deepened my determination to return stronger.

After recovering, I committed fully to my goals. My dad, a landscaper, traded labor and maintenance for four new race skis and boots, my first real race equipment. Before that, I often trained and competed on hand-me-downs or gear not designed for racing, which made me appreciate every upgrade we could manage. The change was transformative both confidence wise and performance wise. I competed in a full Far West schedule, entered my first two FIS series, and even had a winning run at Tech Finals. For the first time, I felt like I belonged and saw my hard work paying off.

This season concludes my final year of racing, and I am training harder than ever to compete in a full FIS schedule. I earned a silver sponsorship with Rossignol and conditioned all summer to make the most of this opportunity. To help with expenses, I work eight-hour shifts three times a week, while my family continues to make significant sacrifices for my goals. Every step of my racing career has been shaped by balancing passion with financial limitations, and that’s why scholarships like this make such a difference. This scholarship would ease the financial strain and allow me to purchase the safe, high-quality equipment essential for performance and progression in ski racing. This is something I’ve valued firsthand since transitioning from powder skis to true race gear.

While ski racing has shaped my resilience, I’ve also built myself academically and personally. I graduated early from TMCC magnet school, where I completed dual enrollment with 33 college credits. I earned a 4.57 GPA, an Honors Diploma, the Seal of STEAM, and a College Ready Endorsement. My pathways spanned both Communication Arts & Media to the Medical Academy, where I became a certified Emergency Medical Responder. My aviation journey has also shaped me. I am a student pilot currently on the pathway to earn my Private Pilot License. As a volunteer cadet with the Commemorative Air Force, I assist in preserving WWII aircraft, gaining technical skills while contributing to history.

In just three years, I’ve gone from a late-start U16 racer to a FIS competitor with podium finishes, a sponsorship, and resilience built through setbacks and recovery. Ski racing has taught me persistence, adaptability, and how to thrive in unfamiliar situations. These lessons fuel my future goal: to ski and serve as a cadet at one of the U.S. military academies. I know this path will challenge me academically, physically, and mentally, but my journey in ski racing has prepared me. I’ve learned to build from the ground up, to embrace the unfamiliar, and to never take opportunities for granted. Ski racing has shaped my identity and strengthened my determination, and I am ready to carry these lessons forward into service, competition, and leadership.

Sincerely,

Dylan Schemenauer

Dear Race Place,

During a family ski vacation at Deer Valley Ski Resort, Utah, I clipped into my first set of skis on a stormy powder day at age 2. My parents said I was expressionless, but didn’t want to stop skiing. Ever since then, I’ve never stopped. I’ve always been an athletic kid, from playing almost every sport in the book, but ski racing has always had my heart. I was born and raised in the Bay Area, California. My family and I love to ski. Since we didn’t live near the snow, we would ski weekends at Kirkwood, California. I started ski racing at Kirkwood Ski Resort at the age of 8. After just a week of doing it, I knew this was going to be my sport. I immediately competed in the Tahoe League Races Series as a U10 and achieved several podiums. I love the thrill of going fast and the feeling of adrenaline. Ever since I could remember, I was a competitive kid. I’ve always wanted to be the best at what I do.

In 2021, as I became increasingly serious about ski racing, my parents made a significant sacrifice. They decided to move to Truckee, California, to live closer to the mountains. I had to give up all of the other sports I loved to do. I joined the awesome Sugar Bowl Academy (SBA) ski program. Since coming to SBA and focusing more on ski racing, I’ve continued to achieve at a high level. In my second year of U16, I managed to finish 3rd overall in the Far West Division, earning six podiums and numerous top finishes, which qualified me for the Western U16 Regionals in Schwitzer, Idaho. My team spirit, good sportsmanship, leadership, support of teammates, and drive were recognized by the Western coaches and teammates at Regionals. I was honored to receive the Bob Merhof Award for Outstanding U16 in the Far West Division. I also qualified for Regionals as a first-year U16 and a second-year U14.

Near the end of my second year of U16, I got into a ski accident and injured my right knee. In disbelief and disappointment, my season came to an abrupt end. A few months later, I underwent ACL reconstruction surgery, lateral meniscus repair, and a lateral extra-articular tendinesis procedure.

The whole experience has been emotional and humbling. As a fast racer and lover of extreme sports, my injuries pushed me to learn patience. By necessity, I had to slow down and focus on rehabilitation, gym exercises, mental strength, and positivity. Physical pain and fear (especially of needles) have turned into courage. My frustration turned to grit. I used my downtime off the slopes to focus on my nutrition and resilience and spend time with my family.

Since my injuries, I have continued to put in work in the gym with my physical therapist almost every day. I’ve also developed immense appreciation and gratitude for all the healthcare workers, from my orthopedic surgeon, nurses, medical assistants, physical therapist, trainers, and nutritionist, who supported me throughout my recovery journey. I am also thankful for my parents, who have been with me throughout this whole time with empathy and grace.

Throughout this challenging process, I haven’t lost my love for skiing. In fact, not being able to ski has only doubled my motivation to ski again. Although this setback means I will miss half of my first year at FIS, I will not let it stop me from returning as a stronger skier.

As a student-athlete at SBA, I always prioritize my academics, even though my dreams are on the slopes. I am a sophomore with a 3.95 cumulative GPA. I’ve also been on the Far West Academic Team for the past two years. I have navigated and worked to overcome an Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) diagnosis and live up to my academic potential. Winning the Race Place Cover Contest would be immensely helpful, not only for me, but for my parents, who have given up everything to support my dreams of becoming a World Cup skier. Beyond the costs of surgeries, physical therapy, and travel for races, skiing at a high level is an expensive endeavor. The idea of new gear would not only bolster my confidence in recovery but also my hopes for performing well once back on the slopes.

I am grateful for this opportunity to continue skiing and for Race Place for helping so many other skiers like me. And, it would mean the world to me if I were to be on the cover or even the back cover of one of my favorite online stores!

Best,

Jameson Pfeister