Coaches

Please note:  The coaching staff for the 2021/2022 season is being finalized.  Please check back soon.

We believe that WTSEF offers the best available coaching in the region to racers of all levels. No two athletes are alike and will have the same level of commitment to racing. Our program is looking for young skiers at all levels of mental and physical competitive development. Some of our skiers strive for selection to Junior Olympics via the Pennsylvania State Team (organized by PARA).  Others of our athletes are young people who enjoy skiing and the thrill of racing, but are not yet committed to the mental and physical training necessary to compete at the State and National levels.

Our coaching staff is USSCA (United States Ski Coaches Association) and PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) certified and many have long experience with, and are used by, the US Ski Team. Our mountain staff and the ski patrol work with the Club to provide as much quality time on the snow as possible.

Dan Chayes Program Director 1990-Present
Experience
  • USSA National Certified Coach
  • USSA Alpine Official - Level III TD
  • FIS Technical Delegate
  • PSIA Level III
  • Whitetail Ski Patrol
E-mail [email protected]
Other Job Construction / Home Performance
Other Activities Flying, sailing, home construction
Dave Holzwarth Mercersburg Academy
U16 U21 Coach
Experience
  • Mercersburg Academy Ski Coach 1991-2008
  • WTSEF Volunteer 1993-present
  • USSA Alpine Coach
  • USSA Alpine Official - referee
E-mail [email protected]
Steve Antal Technical Director
Experience
  • USSA Regional Certified Coach
  • USSA Alpine Official 
  • PSIA Level II
E-mail [email protected]
Al Yoon U10-U14 Coach
Experience
  • Whitetail Race Coach 1998-present
  • USSA State Coach - Level 200
  • USSA Alpine Official
  • Whitetail Ski Instructor 1993-1997
  • PSIA Level I
  • Grass Ski Instructor, Ski Liberty 1984-1985
E-mail [email protected]
Other Job Software Engineer
Other Activities Mountain and road biking, windsurfing, running, swimming, triathlons
Jon Downs Jr Team Head Coach
Experience
  • USSA Coach
  • USSA Alpine Official
  • Whitetail Ski Instructor 2000-2002
  • PSIA Level III 
  • Whitetail Race Team
E-mail [email protected]
Grigori Rostovtsev U16-U21 Coach
Experience
  • USSA Alpine Coach
  • 2002-2004 J3 Head Coach @ Liberty, PA
  • 1999-2001 J1-2 Coach @ Liberty, PA
  • 1996-99 Whitetail Ski Resort instructor and volunteer coach at Whitetail, PA
  • 1991-95 Organizer and winner of Russian North-Western master's competitions
  • 1980-86 Winner of St.Petersburg (Russia) Slalom Cup
  • 1973-79 Winner of St.Petersburg (Russia) Collegiate Championships
  • 1971-72 Member of Russian Junior National Team
E-mail [email protected]
Loren Schaeffer U10-U14 Coach
Experience
  • USSA Coach
  • Whitetail Race Coordinator - 6 seasons
  • Whitetail Ski Instructor - 1 season
  • Ski Club Racing - 15 seasons
  • Sponsored Racer - 5 seasons
  • Killington Ski Patrol/Services - 1978-1981
E-mail [email protected]
Björn Knollmann U16-U21 Coach
Experience
  • USSA Coach
  • Whitetail Race Coach 1994-present
  • Certified Ski Instructor - German Ski Association
  • Level III - 1989
  • Race Coach (Friedberg, Germany) 1982-90
  • Ski Instructor (German Ski Assoc) 1983-89
  • 5 years USSA ski racing 1994-99
  • 12 years DSV ski racing 1979-91
  • (German state and national level)
E-mail [email protected]
Other Job Physician and Scientist, Georgetown University Washington DC
Other Activities Mountain biking, windsurfing, kayaking
 
Art Hall U10-U14 Coach
Experience
  • USSA Coach
  • PSIA Level II
E-mail [email protected]
Other Job Business owner
Other Activities Rugby, biking