Athlete Bios

Johann (Hansi) Schwaiger
	Hansi trained and competed with the Academy FIS racing team over the 2010/2011 season. During his time with the Academy he improved his scores sufficiently to be accepted to the German Junior Development Team upon his return to Germany. Hometown: Munich, Germany Why did you join Red Academy?: I wanted to do an exchange year but didn't want to stop ski racing. My mum and I were looking for a school / academy that also has a racing team. After long research we found Red Mountain Academy to be the most suitable ski academy. What is your favourite memory of the Academy?: I don't have anything special because I really liked pretty much every day, everyone and everything. I loved training at Red Mountain with the athletes and coaches
What would you say to athletes who are thinking of joining the Academy?: I would recommend them to join the Academy because it's a great experience and it's really fun. The Academy has very good and nice coaches as well as athetes and not to forget an awesome mountain. Who are your favourite skiers?: Ted Ligety, Didier Cuche and Carlo Janka.

Miles Fortoloczky

Miles attended the Academy as part of the snowboard team for 3 years. The experience and training he received with the Academy helped him qualify to train and compete with the BC team in Whistler, BC.

Hometown: Brandon, Manitoba

What is your favourite memory of the Academy?: "The Whistler Trip."

What are your plans after graduation?: "I plan on being a pro snowboarder."

What snowboard do you ride?: "Technine Mass Appeal 153cm."

Tommy and Mitch Pitman

Tommy and Mitch, twin brothers, grew up in Rossland with Red Mountain Resort as their stomping grounds. They both attended the Academy as part of the snowboard team from grades 10-12. The extra time the Academy allowed them to spend on the hill helped them improve their skills significantly. Tommy and Mitch currently compete as part of the National Junior Development Team in SBX. They placed first and second in J2 category - 17 and under at the Junior Nationals in April 2010 and were 2 of the 4 athletes chosen to represent Canada at the Jr. World Competition in New Zealand in August 2010.

Tommy and Mitchs' mom (Valerie Pitman) was recently quoted as saying; "We are very proud and know that they would not have been this successful if they had not had the opportunity to spend all that time on the snow. The Academy has given them great opportunities and I think this is a wonderful testament as to how successful the program can be."

Hometown: Rossland

Why did you join Red Academy?: So we could spend most of the winter on a snowboard.

What is your favourite memory of the Academy?: Road trips with the team and boggin around in the mega cab with the boys.

What would you say to athletes who are thinking of joining the Academy?: It's a great opportunity to do what you love.

Who are your favourite snowboarders?: Miles always gets us pumped and anyone else who gets us excited to go snowboarding.

Una Trivanovic

Una graduated the Academy as a member of the FIS racing team in 2011. Upon graduation she moved on to compete, on scholarship, with Montana State University.

Hometown: Warfield, BC

What is your favourite memory of the Academy?: "There's too many to choose from!"

What would you say to athletes thinking of joining the Academy?: "I would tell them that it's lots of fun!"

Who is your favourite skier?: "Kelly Vanderbeek because I've met her and she's nice."