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Squaw Valley Hosts Ski Alpine World Cup

@squawalpine

The Ski Alpine World Cup opened in Squaw Valley Thursday night and is running through the weekend. Contributor and Reno Youth Radio Teacher Ky Plaskon was there.

Skiers with giant cowbells strung from yokes over their shoulders strode through Squaw for the opening ceremony. More than 450 volunteers are helping to make the races happen. Scott Norton of Sacramento is one.

“The weather, we’ve had so many bad storm days. We have a nice bright weekend for the races here.”

An international event like this might sound like a big economic boost.

“Frankly, that is not why we are not doing this. We are not doing this because of economic evaluation models.”

Squaw CEO Andy Wirth says March is always really busy, so it won’t bring in that much more money.

“But at the same time there is value to this long lasting. I look at it more from a 10-15 to 20 year, maybe a one to two generation impact.”

Local Olympian Julia Mancuso was the driving force bringing the event to Squaw. She says events like this are what inspired her and will inspire the next generation of Olympians.

“It’s really a job, it is not just a passion for all these girls. This is a job and its our livelihood and we were born to be out there and be really fast.”

Squaw estimates that up to three million people will be watching the girls go fast on national broadcasts this weekend.

Ky Plaskon is a contributor and teaches our Reno Youth Radio program, a partnership between KUNR and the Washoe County School District to put diverse voices on air.

Ky Plaskon was the first teacher for Reno Youth Radio (now KUNR Youth Media) when it launched in 2017.
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