Executive Director - Rick Miller

director@lovelandracing.com

Rick Miller has been involved in ski racing since his elementary school days in Wyoming and continuing as a competitor and coach during his undergraduate studies at the University of Wyoming.  As a junior, he even raced in several Loveland Derbies!  Rick’s avocation in ski racing was interrupted for a few years to accommodate careers as an attorney, both in private practice and with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, a sea captain, and an owner of a pet supply wholesale company, during which time he gained valuable financial and managerial skills.  Rick rediscovered his passion for ski racing as his daughter Jessica discovered the Loveland Racing Club and he became involved in race officiating.  He has since earned multiple race official certifications, serving in nearly all official positions, up to and including Chief of Race in many recent home races, and is currently a USSA Technical Delegate candidate.  Rick grew up in a small, volunteer oriented race club, so has been enthusiastically committed to serving LRC in many roles, including Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator. 

“What I gained from the sport of ski racing in terms of competitive drive and self confidence has been invaluable to my successes in later life and I hope to be instrumental in providing other young women and men with the same opportunities…  Loveland Racing Club is unique in its approach to providing high quality individualized training at an affordable price within a family support structure and I think this approach is worth preserving and nurturing.  I fully support our mission statement in ‘ serving skiers of all ages, developing their athletic potential, strengthening their character in a team environment and offering opportunities to a wide range of skiers at a reasonable cost’, and I look forward leading the LRC in attaining that goal”

Alpine Program Director and Head Coach - John Hale 

headcoach@lovelandracing.com

John has been a United States Ski Team Head Coach of both the Women's Europa Cup and Development Teams for six years, coaching a long list of Athletes including Olympians and National Champions Alice McKennis and Kaylin Richardson as well as Julia Ford and Laurenne Ross. As a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Sports Science Division from 2003-2005, he attended the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece as a Performance Technologist. From 1995-2002 John held several coaching positions at the Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) – the prestigious ski racing academy that has sent many students to the Olympics and other national and international competitions. John was the head coach for BMA alumni Bryna McCarty, Caitlin Ciccone and Ashley Spina during his tenure. He was also with the Canadian Alpine Ski team and coached Britt Janyk, Emily Brydon and Anne-Marie Lefrancois.

When asked about what he would like Loveland Race Club members to know about him, John replied, “I have enjoyed my six years as a Head Coach with the US Ski Team, and will miss the athletes and staff, and wish them all the best. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with top athletes in the country, and now look forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to the Loveland Race Team."

Full-Time Team Head Coach - Gunnar Sorensen

Gunnar started his skiing career with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club when he was ten years old.   Gunnar skied with Steamboat through his high school FIS years where he was coached by Chris Puckett, Mike Wolmack, and Rob Worell. In 2003 Gunnar moved his skiing to the USCSA circuit at Rocky Mountain College in Montana.  As a freshman Gunnar was part of the first National Championship ever at the college beating out perennial champion Sierra Nevada College.  After several years in Montana Gunnar moved back to Colorado where he began coaching Masters with SwissAm Ski Racing while finishing his undergraduate degree in business.  In 2006 SwissAm moved to Loveland where Gunnar immediately began working with Loveland Racing Clubs junior athletes.   He has been working with Ability through J4 athletes for the past 5 years.  Gunnar is currently living in Morison, Colorado where he enjoys the proximity to Denver’s city amenities as well as the numerous ski areas in the Rocky Mountains.

Lead Age Class Coach - Don Rossi

Don has Level 1 coaching and Level 1 Referee USSA as well as being certified by the American Red Cross in First Aid Basics and CPR. In April he'll be at USSA Level 2 clinic and he has passed the Alpine Race Tactics & Alpine Training Environment courses.

On the Pro Tour, Don chose the victory schedule which meant he only earned monies when he made the quarter-finals, which is a tough way to earn a living. Don is also a Vietnam Veteran serving our nation in the Navy from December 1972 to December 1975 and was honorably discharged. Hell tell you he joined the Navy to see the world and thru a port-hole it is all water.

Development Team Director - Jim Benson

Jim Benson, Director of The Development Team has used his knowledge to lead the D-Team to 5 YSL Championships and several second and third place finishes.