As a local, I try to keep up on the Reno/Tahoe areas hopes to throw their hat in the ring to host a Winter Olympic Games. I received the Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition newsletter in my e-mail a few weeks back, and it's clear the coalition has been making great strides towards that end. What with hosting a major curling competition in - of all places - Las Vegas, to Daron Rahlves Banzai Tour to bidding for the Winter X Games, the Coalition has been busy - and effective.
Whether or not their ultimate goal is ever achieved, one thing is for certain. Reno/Tahoe is putting the world on notice: The area is a Winter Sports Mecca - and a serious and rightful contender for those Tourist Winter Sports Destination Dollars.
Jon’s Jottings
From the desk of RTWGC CEO Jon KilloranWhen the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) announced last July that it would not pursue a bid for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, we here in Reno-Tahoe took a deep breath. After all, over the past decade a lot of people throughout our region had spent quite a bit of time and effort to prepare for such an opportunity and were once again told that this was not the time.
Our organization, the Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition, has led that vision for the past ten years and was now faced with a decision. Leave our work for a future group to pick up or forge forward, continuing to promote Reno-Tahoe as a premier sports tourism destination and a region which embraces the Olympic Movement. The answer was simple; we continue our work and also broaden our horizons to create other opportunities in the shorter term.
To that end, the past six months have been both interesting and very productive!
We have secured two historic events for Nevada over the past couple of months. The Continental Cup of Curling, a Ryder-Cup like four-day tournament, will be coming to the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas January 16-19, 2014. Initial tickets sales have been very strong, especially popular with Canadian residents who spend part of their winter in the western United States. The World Curling Federation (WCF) Congress, held annually, will be coming to Reno-Tahoe in the late summer of 2014. Both of these events will be making their United States debut and we are honored by the faith placed in us to stage them by the WCF, the Canadian Curling Association and the United States Curling Association.
Reno-Tahoe was honored to be added to the Executive Committee of the World Union of Olympic Cities last October. RTWGC vice chairman Hawley MacLean will serve in this capacity.
We also received special recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the USOC for our Olympic Day Family Festival, held last June at UNR’s Mackay Stadium.
Over 200 attendees joined us last November to enshrine the latest class into the Reno Tahoe International Sports Hall of Fame. The evening honored Olympic freestyle skier Shannon Bahrke, former MLB pitcher Shawn Estes, legendary local high school coach Joe Sellers, multi-sport star Wayne Adams and the student-athletes of Winnemucca’s Lowry High School. Our volunteer team, led by RTWGC Director of Development Keri Cassinelli, did a wonderful job in making the night at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa so memorable!
When organizers for the Winter X Games approached the RTWGC about the region’s interest in hosting them, we made sure the region’s top resorts were aware and ready to proceed. We are excited that they are doing so and look forward to offering any assistance in ensuring that the bid is the best it can be.
You can read more detail about each of these topics in this newsletter.
The truth is, none of the above would have happened if not for Reno-Tahoe’s Olympic Heritage and its dream of bringing the Games back. Proceeding on this journey, which we have said is a marathon and not a sprint, will continue to bring shorter term opportunities to showcase all that we have to offer the world of sport. At a time when our entire region has to work that much harder to market itself, sport tourism is one of the ingredients that can lead to a brighter future, and think of the fun bringing events to the region will offer all of us!
We at the RTWGC are rolling up our sleeves tighter than ever and will work with our growing list of local, regional, national and international partners to bring a steady flow of sporting events to Reno-Tahoe and oh yes, keep that flame burning for a potential Winter Games future.
As always, thanks to all of you who have provided your time, talent and treasure to this mission and we appreciate your continued support!
Also:
Lake Tahoe to Bid for Winter X Games
A bid to win a three-year contract to host Winter X Games is being
submitted by a group comprised of Lake Tahoe Region snow sport resorts
and tourism agencies.
ESPN, which owns the X Games franchise selected Tahoe as one of the regions invited to bid for the 2015-17 Winter X Games.
“Hosting an event of this caliber would provide significant economic
impact for the destination,” said Carol Chaplin, Executive Director of
the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “The demographics of the X Games
align perfectly with attractions and appeal of Lake Tahoe and its
combination of outdoor recreation, spectacular natural beauty and
24-hour lifestyle.”
Competitions would be conducted at Heavenly Mountain Resort and Squaw Valley.
“Lake Tahoe is the ideal stage for a competition
as big as the X Games,” said Peter Sonntag, Vice President and General
Manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort. “Combine unmatched scenic beauty
with huge snow and a thriving nightlife and entertainment scene, and
you've got an event that no one will want to miss.”
ESPN’s X Games officials intend to announce bid finalists this April
and name the hosts around the end of this year. Aspen, which has hosted
the Winter X Games annually since 2002 and will continue to do so
through 2014, is also in the running for the new three-year contract.
Quebec City in Canada was also identified as was Park City, Utah.
However, officials in the town which hit the world map as part of the
Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, decided against continuing to
pursue the bid, citing timing and financial requirements.
And...
Rahlves’ Banzai Tour Continues
One of Reno-Tahoe’s all-time top skiers and International Sports Hall
of Famer Daron Rahlves once again presents the Rahlves’ Banzai Tour at
area resorts this winter.
Two of the four competitions took place earlier this month at Kirkwood
Mountain Resort and Alpine Meadows. Squaw Valley will host the next
event on March 2 & 3. The final stop on the Rahlves Banzai Tour
will be at Sugar Bowl on March 9 & 10.
When the gate drops, it’s on as four competitors battle it out for the
“holeshot” and an early lead. Tactics, skill, strength and calculated
risk are put to the test attacking terrain and skied out snow conditions
found at any resort off the groomed runs. Watching the battle is simply
awe-inspiring.
“There is no other race like this in the world,” Rahlves recently told
Powder Magazine. “Last year’s low tide conditions forced new routes down
each venue and produced exciting competition and a great show for
spectators. I was impressed with the competitors attitude and level of
commitment. What’s so unique about this race is every day ripper’s line
up against pro level athletes and have a shot at the title of Rahlves’
Banzai Champ. It’s a competition among competitors, but ultimately it’s
against the mountain.”
The Rahlves banzai Tour is being presented by longtime RTWGC supporter Bank of the West. For more information, click the link below.
www.rahlvesbanzai.com/
Tags: Daron Rahlves Bonzai Tour, Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition, Reno Nevada, Lake Tahoe, Winter Olympics, Winter X Games,
The Continental Cup of Curling, Orleans Arena, Las Vegas.