U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced their full support for Dexter Paine in his candidacy for the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) Council. 

As a visionary leader with a deep commitment to skiing and snowboarding and its athletes, Paine has been involved in governance at both the national and international levels for decades. He served as a member of the FIS Council Executive Committee from 2014-22 and has acted as an ex-officio honorary member from 2022 to the present. Throughout his time with FIS, Paine focused on transparency, communication and inclusivity, including championing for female representation on the Council, longer terms for athlete representatives and the inclusivity of Paralympic sports. 

Paine currently serves as a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Board of Directors (2021-present), is on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board (2002-24) and is actively involved in the Salt Lake City 2034 Olympic Winter Games bid. Previously, Paine was Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors (2006-19) and was on U.S. Biathlon’s Board of Directors (2020-24). He has extensive experience in event delivery as an Executive Committee member of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado and the 2019 Freestyle, Freeski & Snowboard World Championships in Park City, Utah. 

Paine is the chairman at Paine Schwartz Partners and has more than 25 years of investment experience and 35 years in the private equity industry. In addition to his professional achievements, Paine is widely respected for his integrity, vision and dedication to the sport. His collaborative approach and strategic mindset have positioned him as a trusted leader within the skiing and snowboarding community.

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors firmly believes that Paine’s extensive experience and unwavering passion make him the ideal person to represent the interests of athletes and federations worldwide, unanimously putting forward his candidacy. 

"Dexter Paine's dedication to the advancement of skiing and snowboarding is unparalleled,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President & CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “His leadership has consistently propelled our sports forward, and we know he will bring that same level of commitment and expertise to the FIS Council. We are proud to endorse Dexter and are confident in his ability to advocate effectively for the interests of athletes and federations around the world."

Gene Sykes, Chairman of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, also voiced his support. "As an organization committed to supporting American athletes on the global stage, we recognize the importance of strong leadership within international federations,” said Sykes.
“Dexter’s proven track record of leadership and advocacy aligns perfectly with the values of the Olympic movement. We fully endorse Dexter's candidacy for the FIS Council and believe he will be an outstanding representative for skiing and snowboarding on the international level."

Olympic champion Kikkan Randall, who has served on the IOC Board, USOPC Board and FIS Council, echoed the sentiments: “Dexter has been an incredible leader and advocate for skiing and snowboarding across all levels. He understands the complex needs of all stakeholders and has always championed the athletes' voices in the process. He brings a wealth of experience, tremendous passion and dedication to making sport fair, safe and positioned for growth. Dexter is well respected across the sports universe and has been an excellent collaborator between organizations. I am proud to endorse Dexter’s candidacy.”

The election for the FIS Council takes place at FIS Congress on June 5, 2024. 

Four U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team members brought home new season’s bests in today’s giant slalom World Cup Finals in Sella Nevea, Italy. Laurie Stephens led the team, finishing in second place. 

Conditions today in Italy have been described as the “most interesting conditions” skiers have experienced all year. It was warm, sunny, mushy and everything in between, leading to an extremely high number of DNFs and DSQs. 

On the women’s side, Stephens stayed on course, which was all she needed to earn her best giant slalom finish of the season, second place in the women’s sitting classification. Allie Johnson did not finish run two. 

The day's theme was earning new personal bests, and the men took that idea and ran with it. Jesse Keefe, Patrick Halgren and Spencer Wood all earned new season’s bests, finishing sixth, eighth and 13th, respectively, in the men’s standing event. Ravi Drugan was disqualified in the second run of the men’s sitting class, and Matthew Brewer did not start. 

Along with today's second place, Laurie Stephens also finished third in the overall season giant slalom standings alongside Anna-Lena Forster of Germany in first and Barbara Van Bergen from The Netherlands in second. 

Next, on March 25, the U.S. will take on the final race of the season, super-G finals in Sella Nevea. The race will begin at 5:00 a.m. ET and can be streamed on FIS TV. 

RESULTS
Women
Men

On the first day of the FIS Para Alpine Ski World Cup Finals in Sella Nevea, Italy, Laurie Stephens led the way for the U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team, finishing on the podium in third. 

Warm weather and sunny conditions hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit threatened to cancel the second run, but course workers and volunteers were able to keep the hill in running order. The first run led to an unusually high 13 DNFs across the field, indicating the difficult course set and weather implications. 

Laurie Stephens earned her third podium of the season on the women's side, landing in third in the women’s sitting event. Allie Johnson rounded out the women’s side, finishing sixth in the women’s standing classification. 

The men encountered some trouble in run one, with Patrick Halgren, Spencer Wood and Andrew Kurka skiing out. Jesse Keefe and Ravi Drugan led the way for the men’s team, both finishing ninth in the men’s standing and sitting events, respectively. Just outside of the top 10 was Matthew Brewer, who finished 11th in the men’s sitting classification. Andrew Haraghey finished 13th in the men’s standing event. 

The team has a day off before they take on the second giant slalom in Sella Nevea on Thursday, March 21. The action begins at 4:00 am ET, followed by run two at 7:00 am ET. 

RESULTS
Women
Men 

The U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team kicked off the second phase of their season in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, where Laurie Stephens landed on her first podium of the season in the giant slalom. 

The event brought the largest field of athletes seen so far this season, increasing the level and depth of the competition. It was an overcast day on the course, causing flat light and shadows throughout, which proved challenging for many competitors, seeing a high number of DNFs and DSQs.

Seven time Paralympic medalist Laurie Stephens led the way for the U.S. women, finishing third in the women’s sitting event. This is Stephens' first World Cup podium of the season, adding to her impressive repertoire of achievements. In the women’s standing event, Allie Johnson finished ninth. 

On the men’s side, Ravi Drugan finished 14th in the men’s sitting event. Patrick Halgren was 16th in the men’s standing event, followed by Spencer Wood in 18th. Andrew Haraghey, Andrew Kurka and Matthew Brewer did not finish.

The team takes on another giant slalom in Veysonnaz on Tuesday, Jan. 23, slated to begin at 3:30 a.m. ET. 

RESULTS
Women
Men