The National Ability Center’s 35th annual Huntsman Cup returns Feb. 26-28

Elite para alpine international ski racers converge at Park City Mountain for the nonprofit National Ability Center's 35th Huntsman Cup event free for spectators. Photo: Courtesy of the National Ability Center (NAC)

PARK CITY, Utah – Paralympic athletes from North America will gather in Park City for the 35th Annual Huntsman Cup Feb. 26-28.

This free event is hosted by the National Ability Center (NAC), a leading non-profit organization that provides world-class adaptive recreation and outdoor adventures for individuals, families and groups with disabilities. The Huntsman Cup is an Alpine ski racing event sanctioned by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). The event will be held from Feb. 26-28 at Park City Mountain

“In addition to attracting internationally known skiers, the Huntsman Cup is a great opportunity to showcase the fresh talent of the NAC’s High-Performance Team. For one, Annika Hutsler, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, will make her debut in the standing ski division. Although it’s only her first season as a National Ability Center athlete, we see big things in her future,” Rob Umstead, alpine ski head coach at the NAC said in a statement. “In addition, Park City local, Miranda Ritter, will make her racing debut, and on the men’s side, Gilbert Camacho, Jonathan Leonard and Brendan Doyle are new to the competition team and ski racing in general.”

Sponsored by Vail EpicPromise, Park City Mountain and the Huntsman Foundation, this three-day competition builds technical racing skills while serving as the first local competition of the season. Giant Slalom races are scheduled for Feb. 26 and 27, followed by the Slalom race on Feb. 28. The C.B.’s Run finish area is easily accessible from the First Time parking area at Park City Mountain Resort. This year, the NAC will bring back the “Huntsman Cup” trophy, an award given to the male and female racer with the fastest time in all four races combined.

With upwards of 45 athletes planning to compete, this year’s event will be exciting to watch. Several national team members will even return to compete on their home hill of Park City Mountain including Matthew Brewer, Saylor O’Brien, Andrew Haragehy and more.

“I am absolutely thrilled to return to the National Ability Center and compete on the very mountain where I honed my skills. There’s an indescribable excitement and sense of familiarity as I prepare to showcase the results of countless hours of training on these slopes,” Saylor O’Brien, member of the U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team and NAC’s High-Performance Team said in a statement. “The Huntsman Cup is more than a competition for me; it’s a celebration of my perseverance and commitment to alpine skiing. I am ready to compete against the next generation of National Ability Center athletes, and hopefully inspire others to give the sport a try.”

 Donations may be made to the NAC here.