Dedication

Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort names new race center after local Olympian

Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort has dedicated its new race center to Olympic skier Keely Cashman, a Tuolumne County native who did her first race on skis at the resort near Pinecrest when she was 5.

Cashman, members of her family and youth skiers who look up to the local Olympian were among those in attendance at a dedication ceremony Saturday to celebrate the occasion.

“Yesterday we had the honor of dedicating our new race center to Keely in honor of her amazing achievements with the U.S. Ski team,” the resort said in a statement Sunday. “We can’t wait to see all the young racers who will be inspired through this program for years to come!”

The resort announced in August that it would be renaming its Olympic room, where team members gather every day and do their off-mountain training, as the Keely Cashman Race Center.

Jeff Hauff, a spokesman for the resort, said at the time that the renamed space will help inspire young Tuolumne County skiers to realize their potential.

“The race program at Dodge Ridge for decades has been a place where kids develop into lifelong skiers — instilling a sense of self-worth in them, instilling a sense of self-confidence and an independence in their lives along with a true respect for the mountains we operate in,” Hauff said at the

time. “With Keely’s name attached, our goal is to further inspire the next generation of skiers, and now snowboarders as well, to help them realize what they’re all capable of.”

Cashman made her Olympic debut in February at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, where she placed 17th in the downhill event as the top American finisher and 27th in the super-g.

The 23-year-old athlete has spent the months since the Olympics preparing for next year’s World Cup circuit that runs through March, with competitions in Canada and across Europe.

Courtesy photos / Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort U.S. Skiteam member Keely Cashman, of Strawberry, stands with Dodge Ridge youth (above center) at a dedication ceremony Saturday for the Keely Cashman Race Center at Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort. Members of Cashman’s family who attended the event included (top left, from left) her brothers Jordan and Noah, her parents, John and Christy Cashman, and her grandmother Valera. John Cashman was among speakers at the ceremony (above).

Courtesy photo / Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort Alpine ski racer Keely Cashman of Strawberry of the U.S. Skiteam at a dedication ceremony Saturday for the Keely Cashman Race Center at Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort. Cashman competes among the world’s elite in alpine skiing events that include slalom, giant slalom, and super-g. She currently trains for and competes in International Ski Federation Alpine World Cup events, and she skied women’s alpine combined, downhill, and super-g events at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in February.