2011/2012 Coaching Line up
Biographical information about your coaching staff.
 Head Coach Purgatory Alpine Ski Team |
Leah LeSage Alpine Head Coach |
Certifications: USSA Level 300 Certified Alpine Coach A New Hampshire native, Leah enters her fifth year with Purgatory Ski Team after coaching at Waterville Valley BBTS and several years as Director with the Angel Fire Ski team in New Mexico. She is a USSA Level 3, National Certified Coach and has previously held ACE certification in Personal Training.Leah’s coaching experience extends from 4 year olds to FIS athletes and the GBR National Team. Leah also represents the Southern Series on the Rocky Mountain Division Alpine Competition Committee and co-chairs the Coach’s Education committee with Olympic Gold medal Winner Deb Armstrong.Her goals for the alpine program include, strong athlete and personal development, provide support to allow each athlete to reach his/her full potential and instill lifelong love and stewardship of the sport. She has two children, 8 and 6, is currently pursuing a degree in nursing and completed |
The AWESOME! Assistant Coaching staff |
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 Assistant Coach Alexis McClean |
Alexis McClean Assistant Coach |
I grew up skiing, as soon as I could walk I had ski boots on my feet. Through middle school, high school and college, I raced for Telluride, Ski Club Vail and Ft. Lewis Ski Team. Skiing nourishes the soul. To be able to share my love of skiing with young and motivated people, I am thankful. |
 Assistant Coach - Molly Marquez |
Molly Marquez Assistant Coach |
Molly was born and raised in Vail, Colorado and had the ability to explore and appreciate the Rocky Mountains every day.Growing up, Molly spent almost every weekend on skis, with the family or, when old enough, as a member of the Buddy Warner League.In high school, Molly was a member of both Ski Club Vail and Battle Mountain High School Ski Teams, competing in all alpine and Nordic events. Honors included winning the State slalom and giant slalom and two top 10 finishes at State in both Nordic events.Along with ski training, Molly claimed 1st team All-League honors on the high school soccer team and competed and trained with Colorado Olympic Soccer Development Team for two years.
At Ft. Lewis College, Molly enjoyed the first women’s soccer RMAC Championship victory and two trips to Nationals with the ski team, claiming 1st Team All American honors in both slalom and giant slalom. After graduating with a Bachelor of Art in Exercise Science, coaching was the natural next step. Molly has been a member of Purgatory Ski Team for four years and is returning to share her passion for alpine ski racing. |
 Big Mountain Assistant Coach - Brian Buerger |
Brian Buerger Assistant Coach – Big Mountain |
Brian has been teaching and coaching skiing for 17 seasons. He spent the last 6 seasons coaching for the Alta Freeride Division at Alta, Utah. There he helped develop one of the first “freeskiing” programs aimed at kids looking to compete in the fledgling Jr. Big Mountain Competitions, most of which later evolved into the Jr. Freeskiing World Tour.
Brian is new to the Wintersports Foundation staff, but is not new to the area. He spent 8 seasons working on the ski school at Purgatory and 3 seasons working at Silverton Mountain, in addition to that work related experience he has traveled extensively in the San Juan backcountry for the past 15 seasons. He has also competed in alpine ski racing, mogul competitions, half-pipe, big air events, and on the Freeskiing World Tour.
His certifications include PSIA Level 3, Avalanche Level 1, Wilderness First Responder, PSIA Park and Pipe Cert., and PSIA Children’s Educator. In the off season Brian is a Mountain Bike and Whitewater Rafting Guide.
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 Assistant Coach - Ivan Unkovskoy |
Ivan Unkovskoy Assistant Coach |
Certifications:
I attended Fort Lewis College and ski raced for Fort Lewis Ski Team. This is when I discovered my true passion for ski racing. Our Team made it to Nationals in 1985. I have lived in Durango for the past 32 years. I have watched Purgatory grow from a 4 lift mountain to what it is today. I have been involved in many capacities over the earlier years helping the growth process at Purgatory from summer trail crew, where I actually cut new ski trails, to installing and running snowmaking. I ski patrolled for 15 years, and worked ski school/special events for the past 10 years. Most recently I have coached our young budding ski racers on the Purgatory Ski Team. From 1990-2000 I was a professional mountain bike racer based here in Durango, riding for Miyata,3D-Racing, Trek, NukeProof, GT and Santa Cruz. When not working, I continue to enjoy outdoor pursuits including road cycling, single speed mountain biking, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding and waterskiing. But my biggest enjoyment has been sharing these outdoor pursuits with my wife and son. |
