Fisher Aides Armenian Ski Federation
During a visit to Armenia earlier this month, 2010 Olympian and
U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete Erik Fisher (Middleton, ID) met with a
group of coaches, athletes and students at the Armenian State
Physical Education University in the country's capital city.
The 10-day trip began as a chance to do some travelling while
picking up his sister Carlie from a mission trip, but after an email
from Fisher's friend Arman Serebakian, who is a member of the
Armenian National Ski Team and currently a senior on the University
of Colorado Ski Team, Fisher found himself connected to Gagik
Sargsyan, Secretary General for the Armenian Ski Federation.
"Arman lives in Squaw Valley and when he heard I was headed to
Yerevan, he introduced me to Gagik over email and we started
planning," said Fisher. "It came together pretty quickly and was an
amazing experience. Gagik showed me around and then we spent a few
hours at the University talking skiing."
According to Sargsyan, who is a member of the faculty, the
university is the top professional facility for sport studies in
Armenia.
"We decided to invite Erik to Tsakhkadzor Ski Resort in Armenia
which is where our national teams are train and where we organize
FIS races," said Sargsyan. "After visiting Tsakhkadzor Erik met with
the Armenian Ski Federation's vice presidents, national team head
coaches, athletes, lecturers, specialists and students at the
Armenian State Physical Education University. This was a very
important opportunity for us as the Armenian Ski Federation
continues to develop as an organization."
In a room full of around 80 people, including Armenian television
and print news crews, Carlie provided translation as Fisher spoke
about the U.S. alpine skiing development pipeline.
"Everyone was pretty excited that I was there," added Fisher. "I
pretty much spoke about what it takes to become a professional ski
racer in the U.S. and then walked them through some typical workouts
both in the gym and on snow."
Post lecture, Fisher fielded questions then met with University
President Vahram Araqelyan."Mr.
Aragelyan mentioned that Erik's visit was very important for all of
us and special exchange of experience is very useful," said Sargsyan.
"The meeting was a great success not only among the students but
also among the specialists. The ideas presented by Erik will be used
by our specialists and coaches in their future practice.
The president of the Armenian Ski Federation Armen Yeritsyan also
highly appreciated Erik's visit to Armenia. It was the first
co-operation with the USA Alpine representatives, and we think that
the co-operation from our two sides will continue and deepen."
To continue the relationship, Fisher is working to build program
with ski swaps around Idaho and Utah where unsold and unclaimed
equipment is sent to the Armenian Ski Federation for free
distribution to young athletes.
"I've been involved in the Bogus Basin ski swap in the past and
there's always a truckload of stuff that isn't picked up. A lot of
it is great equipment and unfortunately probably ends up in a
landfill," said Fisher. "I'd like to start a program where all that
stuff is gathered and sent to Armenia. They have a lot of passion
for skiing over there and I want to support that."
While planning is still in the initial stages, Fisher hopes to have
the program ready to go by next fall and the Bogus Basin Ski
Education Foundation has already pledged their support with
equipment. Additionally, Foundation Head Coach Steve Smart says
plans are in the works to adopt the Armenian Ski Federation as their
sister program.
To support Fisher's effort, go to
www.erikfisherusa.com.
A full photo gallery of his trip is available at
http://ussa.smugmug.com/
