Alpine Meadows Ski Resort joined forces with the Jamaica Ski Team last Wednesday with an unprecedented partnership inspired by the newest skier cross phenom, Errol Kerr.
A resident of Truckee, California who has dual citizenship of the United States and Jamaica, 22-year-old Kerr will represent Jamaica at the 2010 winter games in Vancouver, Canada.

“I want to represent the land of my father,” Kerr told a reporter at the Jamaica Gleaner this spring. “That’s the dream,” he added. Kerr’s father passed away ten years ago, which gives his journey to the Olympic podium extraordinary representation of kindred father-son connection. “I believe everyone has to appreciate where they came from. I feel like one day in his own way, he’ll say to me, ‘I’m proud of you, son!’”

“We are thrilled to support Errol leading up to the 2010 Games and provide Alpine as his primary training ground,” stated Jim Kercher, Alpine Meadows General Manager. “Errol’s talent is matched by his determination to achieve his goals – which speaks volumes of his character, sportsmanship, and work ethic – resulting in a perfect fit for Alpine,” he added.

Kerr’s number-one Olympic mission is to win the newest winter ski discipline, skier cross. Emerging on the scene during the 2007/2008 on the international skier cross circuit, his performance surprised the world with his 5th place finish in his first Winter X-Games competition in 2008. With a current World Cup ranking of 24th and U.S. ranking of 2nd, Kerr has won the interest of many, including Alpine Meadows, Jamaica, and even former U.S. Olympic coach, Raul Guisado, who will train Kerr for the Games.

“Errol has a great deal of potential and I’m confident he can build upon his strong finishes last season,” Guisado explained. “Errol landed on the circuit and was nicknamed the ‘rookie’ in skier cross; but his alpine ski racing, motocross, and bmx background has helped him develop the skills he needs to excel at this event and exceed expectations. If he continues to work hard and stays focused, he could very well be a medal contender in 2010,” he added.

Kerr’s 5th place finish at the Winter X Games skier cross event was in addition to an 8th and 12th place finish at FIS World Cup in Europe; 5th and two 6th place finishes on the Jeep King of the Mountain tour and a 6th and 8th place finish at the North American (NORAM) Cup at Big Mountain, Montana – where he competed in the downhill and super giant slalom disciplines.

Momentum is building. Recent support from Alpine Meadows and Jamaica in addition to training with Guisado has added motivational fuel to the fire for Kerr. “There are other people who are just as amped about what I am doing as I am,” he said. But his main source of support has come from his mother, Catherine Kerr. “It’s simple,” Kerr said. She’s the best. My mom is a single mom, and everything I have, everything I’ve accomplished, she has helped me and given to me everything. I owe it all to her. When I’m down, she’ll pick me up. When my head is full of helium, she gives me the reality check that I really need,” he added.

Catherine Kerr views her son’s determination analogous to another of his many talents, metal fabricating. “Errol is a natural welder and is fully capable to pulling all this together into one: Jamaica, skiing, and the mountain life,” she said. “He has seen the strong and courageous qualities of the island people who, through adversity, maintain courage. That is what he has done through all the years coming up through ski racing from the age of 11,” she added.

Preparation is in full swing for Kerr, who recently returned to the States after a month on snow in New Zealand. He will travel to Jamaica for dryland training in October. On-snow training at Alpine Meadows will begin as soon as the snow flies, readying him for a full winter of competition throughout the U.S. Europe, and Japan. What drives such an intense schedule? In an interview with Truckee’s Sierra Sun, Kerr summed it up best: “I’ve always dreamed of taking a pair of skis and showing the world how far your dreams can take you.”
Follow Errol Kerr’s travel, competition, and results this winter at SkiAlpine.com, where viewers can watch videos and read more about his accomplishments. Errol himself will post blog entries to keep viewers and supporters near and far up to date with his experiences around the world.

Listen to an interview with Errol Kerr and watch him in action at: https://www.skialpine.com/jamaica-ski-team

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort is situated in the picturesque Tahoe National Forest and offers skiers and snowboarders 2,400 acres of terrain. With 14 lifts, more than 100 trails, and majestic views of Lake Tahoe, Alpine Meadows is accessed via Interstate 80, 45 miles west of Reno, NV and 200 miles east of San Francisco, CA. Alpine Meadows’ parent company is San Francisco, California based JMA Ventures, LLC. JMA is a full service real estate investment firm, serving as managing member of over $800 million in existing projects. Visit SkiAlpine.com or call 530-583-4232 for more information about Alpine Meadows.