truebluefan

The Eastern Ski Writers Association (ESWA) has awarded Bump Heldman (Auburn, ME) and Julia Ford (Plymouth, NH) the Golden Ski Award for 2008 as the top junior male and female Eastern amateur ski racers. The U.S. Development Team athletes will be honored on Friday, June 6 during a ceremony held at the New England Ski Museum in Franconia, NH.

Heldman, a Gould Academy graduate, powered through the 2008 season amassing four top 20 finishes at the NorAm Finals, finished 18th in downhill at the World Junior Championships and was 13th in DH at the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships (second among juniors) to secure the award.

Holderness School's Ford was 13th in super combined at the World Junior Championships and tallied top 10 finishes in DH and slalom at the U.S. Alpine Championships along with a slew of top NorAm results throughout the season.

"The award is the only one of its kind given to amateur skiers in the East, particularly young skiers - you have to be 19 or younger to win," said Jim Gregory, ESWA Executive Secretary. "Both Bump and Julia exemplify the kind of talent that comes out of the East and we're looking forward to big things from both of them next season."

The Golden Ski Award was named in memory of long-time snowsports scribe Don A. Metivier in the 1960s and was awarded to the top male and female skiers in the East until 1975 when the ski was lost. Last year, the New England Ski Museum was given some artifacts and in that donation was the Golden Ski, prompting the ESWA to revitalize the honor. The ski will remain at the New England Ski Museum, but Heldman and Ford will receive a trophy featuring a small replica of the Golden Ski at the ceremony.

"We have a long tradition of champion skiers here in the East. Chances are that when you look down that line of champions, most of them are former Golden Ski winners. This is something all young skiers in the East can strive for," said Gregory.

The Eastern Ski Writers Association is the Eastern division of the North American Snowsports Journalists Association, a professional organization consisting of major media members who cover skiing and snowboarding.

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