Skiwolves street style
by joey |
The Skiwolves are better known for breakneck speed than for head-turning fashion, but they've long enjoyed a position as UAA's most outrageously dressed. Since 1981, the ski team has boasted several decades of bold prints and loud patterns (if you're already wearing a skintight ski suit, might as well make it memorable).
This weekend, the Skiwolves launch their season at Government Peak in Palmer with the 12th annual Alaska Nordic Cup. The Nordic team is coming off a victory last year against in-state rival UAF, though UAF leads the series 7-3-1. The alpine crew will be in Colorado this weekend training for the conference schedule, which starts in January.
UAA competes in the nine-team Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association, well known as the nation's strongest conference (in 61 seasons, only eight schools from outside UAA's conference have managed to snag a national championship). The Seawolves have held their own, finishing in the top 10 nationally for the past eight seasons straight.
In honor of the Skiwolves' successful history-and their collection of excellent outfits-several skiers met at Goose Lake to show off their high energy and team spirit in advance of this weekend's home opener. It's time for ski season.
The UAA ski team sets sail for the 2015-2016 season this weekend at the Alaska Nordic Cup in Palmer.
Alpine skier Hughston Norton creeps along past a frozen Goose Lake...
... while Nordic skier Etienne Richard (dressed in prime retro Seawolves gear) surveys from the lifeguard chair.
Alix Wells, Miranda Sheely and Patricia Sprecher looking angelic (yes, Miranda's jacket and racing suit are actual items from the ski team's closet).
The ski team members make their best attempt at a High School Musical cover photo.
Their futures are so bright, they have to wear ski goggles.
Sophomore Martins Onskulis, who skied in the 2014 Olympics for Latvia, hitches a ride.
Patricia, Alix and Miranda are three of 13 women on this year's roster.
The Skiwolves are ready for snow after two low-powder winters in a row.
O Canada! Etienne Richard and captain Cedrick Gagnon are the deux Québécois on the men's roster.
The Von Trapp family? Or several members of the 2015-2016 UAA ski team?
Senior captain Sean Alexander bravely volunteered for this photo. Many thanks, Sean.
The look says 'Blue Steel,' the outfit says 'waterfront safety is highly important.'
Curtis McKillop, a junior from Calgary, stares down the competition... and the photographer.
Spot the Seawolves! Cedrick, Curtis and Sean wear team spirit on their sleeves (and helmets).
This story is getting long, but there's always time for an iconic 'Titanic' reference.
Martins and Etienne go for big air. This is about when things got weird...
See the ski team's energy for yourself this weekend in Palmer. The Alaska Nordic Cup, taking place at Government Hill on Saturday and Sunday, is the only home meet of the year.
Photos by Philip Hall, UAA Office of University Advancement
"Skiwolves street style" is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
