Boston Herald

Get up close with the World Cup trophy

- By MOIRA MCCARTHY

When the fastest women ski racers in the world descend on Killington Resort this weekend, they’ll be vying for the coveted championsh­ip title as well as the beautifull­y designed 2017 Audi FIS Ski World Cup trophy created by famed Vermont designer Simon Pearce.

But you don’t have to ski fast to pose with the winning trophy. Those attending the event, which runs Friday through Sunday, will have the opportunit­y to have a one-of-kind memento take home: an individual photo with the World Cup trophy. And this is all while supporting two important local charities: Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport and the Love Your Brain Foundation.

Vermont Adaptive’s booth in the World Cup Festival Village will be the place where people can make a donation to the charities and take their photo with the trophy. Vermont Adaptive is building a special display stand and backdrop to display the trophy and make the photo a memory keeper for all World Cup enthusiast­s.

“We’re excited to be partners with the folks at Simon Pearce and the Love Your Brain Foundation so that people have an opportunit­y to see the trophy,” said Jeff Alexander, director of strategic partnershi­ps for Vermont Adaptive. “It’s a great way for people to support two important causes while capturing a very cool moment in U.S. ski racing history right here on the East Coast in Killington. Just by making a simple donation of any amount, folks can use their cameras on a phone or a more sophistica­ted camera to take their photos.”

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is a nationally recognized organizati­on that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreation­al programmin­g regardless of ability to pay. In addition to sports, year-round programmin­g options integrate environmen­tal, holistic wellness, and competitiv­e training philosophi­es for people of all ages with cognitive, developmen­tal, physical and emotional behavioral disabiliti­es. Vermont Adaptive promotes independen­ce and furthers equality through access and instructio­n to sports and recreation­al opportunit­ies including alpine skiing, snowboardi­ng, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, tennis, horseback riding, and more, plus yearround veterans’ programs. More than 400 volunteers serve clients of all abilities from all over the world in three winter programmin­g locations in Vermont: Pico Mountain at Killington, Sugarbush Resort in Warren, and Bolton Valley Resort in Bolton. Summer programs are provided statewide. You can learn more at www.vermontada­ptive.org.

The LoveYourBr­ain Foundation (LYB) was establishe­d by brothers Adam and Kevin Pearce (sons of Simon Pearce) following Kevin’s severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a snowboardi­ng accident before the 2010 Olympics. LoveYourBr­ain is a nonprofit organizati­on whose mission is to improve the quality of life of people affected by TBI through programs that build community. The message — LoveYourBr­ain — embodies a positive approach to brain injury prevention and healing. You can learn more at www.loveyourbr­ain.com.

The trophy will be available for photos Friday from noon - 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - noon. A donation in any amount is welcome. Organizers anticipate the booth being busy during these times, and encourage those who want to take a photo to get in line early.

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