Hi there! My name is Tenaya Standteiner, and I grew up in Squaw Valley, CA, with a passion for skiing. I’ve skied for as long as I can remember, always chasing the “big kids” around the mountain, trying to keep up. My love for ski racing is all thanks to the community in which I was lucky enough to grow up. Wherever I went, there were people of all ages who shared an enthusiasm for skiing and the outdoors that I got to learn from.
My team:
This season, I became a member of the Sugar Bowl Ski Team. When I was younger, I was briefly on the Sugar Bowl Ski Team while my dad coached there. At the age of ten, my dad and I moved over to Squaw Valley where we would ski for the next nine years. Now, for the 2016-2017 season, I am back at Sugar Bowl, where everyone has welcomed me back with open arms. I’m moved by how supportive the staff, coaches and athletes have been so far, and I can’t wait for a great season with my team.
I’ve also been on the Western Region team for the past three years. This is a group containing racers selected from throughout the Western Region of the United States who train and travel to certain races together.
Offseason Training:
Many of the sports I participate in are stemmed from my ski racing. I started riding my road bike as conditioning for racing, and ended up developing a fascination for it. In addition to that I spend my summers hiking, running, waterskiing, wake surfing, and getting done what needs to be done in the gym. I am more than lucky to be living in the Lake Tahoe area, soaking in everything the area has to offer.
Obstacles:
Towards the end of the 2015 season, I tore my ACL and MCL. I had surgery in April, and then spent the summer and first half of the ski season rehabilitating and getting as strong as possible for the upcoming season. I took my time with the progression, easing myself back on snow, to ensure that I was one hundred percent ready when I raced for the first time. My first race back after my injury was in Champéry, Switzerland, the same race I had won exactly one year prior. That race, as well as a number of races after it, was frustrating to say the least. However, I finally got my speed and confidence back by the end of the year, and now I’m thrilled to see what I can accomplish this season. I learned a lot from the whole process, and I know the experience has made me a stronger racer both mentally and physically.
Giving Back:
Sportsmanship is extremely valuable to me, and I consider it to be a defining part of someone’s personality. Every ski racer understands that skiing is a roller coaster, and even though all other racers are competition, they are also teammates and friends. One of my goals is to be a great teammate for the other athletes I train and race with.
I have short-term and long-term plans to give back to the sport of ski racing. I believe that for the time being, the best thing for me to do is set a good example for my competitors, teammates, and the younger racers who look up to us. A good attitude is infectious, and spreading good vibes can only better the ski racing community. In addition to this, I love spending time coaching the younger skiers whenever I can. I’ve spent some time in Mt. Hood during the summer, and in Squaw Valley during the ski season, helping coach the younger racers in anyway that I can. I remember being a J4/J5, getting coached by the older kids was great, because they could relate to my technique really well, because they were in the middle of their racing careers themselves.
Where it all began:
Ski racing is in my blood, I was raised on stories of my dad’s and his sibling’s successful racing careers. Bits and pieces of my family’s skiing history were scattered through my childhood; I even use one of my dad’s old Europa Cup trophies as a toothbrush holder! So, when I was younger there was really no question as to whether or not I would be a ski racer, the decision was made. As I got older, I was participating competitively in soccer and ski racing, and once I reached a certain point of competition I had to choose between the two sports. This decision was a no brainer for me. I chose to keep pursuing my passion, and kissed my soccer career goodbye! Although my family originally made the decision for me to ski race in the first place, before I could even walk or talk, I had fallen in love with the sport. There was nothing that could be done to get me off the mountain.
From this young age on, I’ve raced all over and have fallen in love with the sport more and more. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Europe and New Zealand for races, as well as competing on the North American Cup Circuit in Canada and the US. Traveling for all of these races and training opportunities is just a part of our sport, however travel expenses all add up, and it gets difficult to pull together the funds I need to get to these races.
I need your help:
Financial aid has always been something that is necessary for my ski racing. For the 2016-2017 season, I need to raise around $10,000 to go towards team fees, travel expenses and equipment. Ski racing is an expensive sport, and fundraising is a key part of enabling me to accomplish my goals. A donation of any size would mean the world. Even if you are unable to donate, a share with family and friends on social media would also be greatly appreciated. I can’t thank you all enough for all the support!
My team:
This season, I became a member of the Sugar Bowl Ski Team. When I was younger, I was briefly on the Sugar Bowl Ski Team while my dad coached there. At the age of ten, my dad and I moved over to Squaw Valley where we would ski for the next nine years. Now, for the 2016-2017 season, I am back at Sugar Bowl, where everyone has welcomed me back with open arms. I’m moved by how supportive the staff, coaches and athletes have been so far, and I can’t wait for a great season with my team.
I’ve also been on the Western Region team for the past three years. This is a group containing racers selected from throughout the Western Region of the United States who train and travel to certain races together.
Offseason Training:
Many of the sports I participate in are stemmed from my ski racing. I started riding my road bike as conditioning for racing, and ended up developing a fascination for it. In addition to that I spend my summers hiking, running, waterskiing, wake surfing, and getting done what needs to be done in the gym. I am more than lucky to be living in the Lake Tahoe area, soaking in everything the area has to offer.
Obstacles:
Towards the end of the 2015 season, I tore my ACL and MCL. I had surgery in April, and then spent the summer and first half of the ski season rehabilitating and getting as strong as possible for the upcoming season. I took my time with the progression, easing myself back on snow, to ensure that I was one hundred percent ready when I raced for the first time. My first race back after my injury was in Champéry, Switzerland, the same race I had won exactly one year prior. That race, as well as a number of races after it, was frustrating to say the least. However, I finally got my speed and confidence back by the end of the year, and now I’m thrilled to see what I can accomplish this season. I learned a lot from the whole process, and I know the experience has made me a stronger racer both mentally and physically.
Giving Back:
Sportsmanship is extremely valuable to me, and I consider it to be a defining part of someone’s personality. Every ski racer understands that skiing is a roller coaster, and even though all other racers are competition, they are also teammates and friends. One of my goals is to be a great teammate for the other athletes I train and race with.
I have short-term and long-term plans to give back to the sport of ski racing. I believe that for the time being, the best thing for me to do is set a good example for my competitors, teammates, and the younger racers who look up to us. A good attitude is infectious, and spreading good vibes can only better the ski racing community. In addition to this, I love spending time coaching the younger skiers whenever I can. I’ve spent some time in Mt. Hood during the summer, and in Squaw Valley during the ski season, helping coach the younger racers in anyway that I can. I remember being a J4/J5, getting coached by the older kids was great, because they could relate to my technique really well, because they were in the middle of their racing careers themselves.
Where it all began:
Ski racing is in my blood, I was raised on stories of my dad’s and his sibling’s successful racing careers. Bits and pieces of my family’s skiing history were scattered through my childhood; I even use one of my dad’s old Europa Cup trophies as a toothbrush holder! So, when I was younger there was really no question as to whether or not I would be a ski racer, the decision was made. As I got older, I was participating competitively in soccer and ski racing, and once I reached a certain point of competition I had to choose between the two sports. This decision was a no brainer for me. I chose to keep pursuing my passion, and kissed my soccer career goodbye! Although my family originally made the decision for me to ski race in the first place, before I could even walk or talk, I had fallen in love with the sport. There was nothing that could be done to get me off the mountain.
From this young age on, I’ve raced all over and have fallen in love with the sport more and more. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Europe and New Zealand for races, as well as competing on the North American Cup Circuit in Canada and the US. Traveling for all of these races and training opportunities is just a part of our sport, however travel expenses all add up, and it gets difficult to pull together the funds I need to get to these races.
I need your help:
Financial aid has always been something that is necessary for my ski racing. For the 2016-2017 season, I need to raise around $10,000 to go towards team fees, travel expenses and equipment. Ski racing is an expensive sport, and fundraising is a key part of enabling me to accomplish my goals. A donation of any size would mean the world. Even if you are unable to donate, a share with family and friends on social media would also be greatly appreciated. I can’t thank you all enough for all the support!