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Articles by Jeff Cordes
Hat tricks factor into Sun Valley A hockey wins
Riley Sibbach and Owen Powers each tallied three-goal hat tricks to lead their teams to Sun Valley A League hockey triumphs Monday night at the Sun Valley Skating Center. Sibbach scored three goals with an assist as Atkinsons’/Sawtooth Brewery held off Yoga 6-5 in a tight skating contest. Atkinsons’ led 4-1 after two periods, but Yoga rallied with four goals in the third stanza. Glenn Lucci (1 assist), Charlie Evans and Kyle Quick also lit the light for Atkinsons’.
Masters ski racing arrives on Baldy
Intermountain Division/Northern Alpine ski racers like Hailey’s Jesse Foster, pictured here, have arrived on Baldy for super giant slalom and giant slalom racing during the Masters Memorial Skoch Cup competition co-hosted by the Sun Valley Ski Club. The Sun Valley race schedule features super giant slalom today, Friday, and two days of GS Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit intermountainmasters.org.
SVSEF U16s on Vermont snow for top series
Five members of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Alpine U16 team were selected to represent the Western Region for the 2025 Burke National Performance Series U16 project, which took place Jan. 3-10 at Burke Mountain, Vermont. Based on project selection criteria, SVSEF’s Anna Taylor, Ava Huey, Conway Selznick, Huxley Flood, and Tucker Reimund represented the Western Region at Burke with SVSEF Alpine U16 assistant coach Nik Angriman.
Suns rally past Predators 6-5 in overtime thriller
Eighth-year Sun Valley Suns wing Dylan Shamburger and third-year defenseman Drew Tallet teamed up for the biggest goal of the Suns’ still-young hockey season in front of 828 breathless partisan rooters at Hailey’s Campion Ice House on Friday. In the tantalizing open ice of the three-on-three overtime format, Suns assistant captain Shamburger chased a puck into the corner of the New England Predators’ defensive zone and backhanded a pass to onrushing Tallet.
U.S. Nordic Nationals wrap up at Anchorage
Sun Valley cross-country skiers continued to make their marks with top finishes at the 2025 U.S. Cross Country Ski National Championships over the weekend on Kincaid Park trails in Anchorage, Alaska. Dartmouth College senior John Steel Hagenbuch, 23, the winner of Thursday’s Open Men’s 10-kilometer individual start freestyle opener, finished a strong second place of 85 racers in Sunday’s Open Men’s 20k classic mass start event.
Big holiday crowds watch Suns and McCall battle
The Sun Valley Suns senior men’s ice hockey team enjoyed a rousing reception from near-sellout holiday crowds at Hailey’s Campion Ice House on Dec. 27 and 28, but the visiting McCall Mountaineers ended up stealing the show. You can credit McCall’s lefty-shooting sniper, August von Ungern-Sternberg Kuzara, for the outcomes. Kuzara’s full name is listed on the hockey database eliteprospects.com, but he goes by Augie. Last weekend, Kuzara scored as many goals, five, as the prolific wing has names.
Dick Durrance, champion of the Harriman Cup
Note: This article originally appeared in the June 16, 2004 edition of the Idaho Mountain Express Olympian Dick Durrance, universally considered the first world-class alpine racer from the U.S., has died in Colorado. He was 89 when he passed away Sunday, June 13, 2004 from natural causes at Carbondale north of Aspen, his family said. Durrance, the finest ski racer of his time and a 17-time national champion, had deep links with Sun Valley dating back to the resort’s origin.
Suns, Moose: The state of the rivalry is strong
Saturday’s great hockey game won by the Sun Valley Suns 5-4 over the host Jackson Hole (Wyo.) Moose ended like all hockey games should—a pulled goalie, vitally important face-offs deep in the Suns zone and two tired teams straining with every inch of their beings. The fans at jam-packed Snow King Center were into it, too. When the game was done, Moose fans threw cups of beer over the plexiglass at the victorious Suns.
Wood River boys’ soccer wins back - to - back titles
Hailey’s Wood River High School boasts a long history of successful boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. Yet it wasn’t until 1998 and 1999 that Wood River celebrated its first state soccer tournament championships, the Wolverine boys going back-to-back in those years.
When NBA All-Stars came to Atkinson Park- for softball
Photos originally published on August 9, 1978 These days, Oregon’s Phil Knight is best known as the co-founder of Nike Inc. and boasts a net worth of $43.0 billion, Forbes Magazine tells us. Paris Olympic watchers stroll in wonder past the multi-story Nike House of Innovation on Ave. des Champs-Elysees and wonder how he did it. He started doing it by selling sneakers out of his Plymouth Valiant at 1960-ish track meets throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Standhope Ultra brings 235 runners to the Pioneers
The scenic Idaho mountains were glorious and the trails of the Pioneer Mountains were demanding for 235 runners who competed at three distances during the 12th annual Standhope Ultra Challenge trail runs July 26-28. Local runners were prominent. They numbered 75 of the field of competitors. Boise-area music teacher Ben Blessing founded the Standhope in 2013, and it has become a fixture on the ultra-marathon race circuit. As always, the views were magnificent and the volunteers extra helpful.
Killebrew-Thompson golf tourney takes a swing for cancer research
The 2024 Killebrew-Thompson Memorial golf tournament returns to Sun Valley Resort this month to take another “swing at cancer,” featuring a long list of golf and other activities to raise cancer research funds. Having started here in Sun Valley in 1977 and been staged here ever since, the 48th annual tournament is set for Wednesday, Aug. 14, through Saturday, Aug. 17. Expected are 190 golfers in a total convention of 340 guests, including the golfers.
Figure skaters show off in Sun Valley summer finals
Sun Valley Figure Skating Club members performed well during the 56th annual Sun Valley Summer Championships July 19-21 on the two skating rinks at Sun Valley Resort. In a big group number with over 20 skaters on the final day, the SVFSC Production Ensemble Sun Valley Serenade finished third.
Tickets on sale for Team USA vs. Canada in Boise
For the first time, Boise’s Idaho Central Arena will host a top-level international women’s hockey game between Team USA and Team Canada in what has become over five years the fiercely competitive Rivalry Series. It is set for Sunday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. at the Boise ice rink. Tickets went on sale July 23. They range from $35 to $60 at ticketmaster.com.
Suns to bring Moose back to hockey schedule
Special plans are in the works for the 50th anniversary season of the Sun Valley Suns men’s hockey program, including a return of the Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Moose to the 2024-2025 Suns schedule. As July came to a close, Suns general manager Sean O’Grady finalized the schedule of games for the second-oldest Senior A Elite men’s team in the U.S. Only century-old New York St. Nicks has a longer history. No program has ever played a regular season of games longer than the Suns.
McNeal rides to Trans BC Enduro bike triumph
It resembled the best of dreams for mountain bikers. Indeed, the organizers claimed they wanted to provide a summer camp for adults on bikes. The Canadian mountain challenges were meant to offer an incredible riding experience. Mainly, the goal of the Trans British Columbia (Trans BC) Enduro was just having fun on a bike, according to the racer who ended up winning the July 8-10 enduro, Wood River Valley native Matt McNeal.
Hockey’s Rivalry Series coming to Boise
For the first time, Boise’s Idaho Central Arena will host a top-level international women’s hockey game between Team USA and Team Canada in what has become over five years the fiercely-competitive Rivalry Series. It is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. at the Boise ice rink that hosts Idaho Steelheads men’s hockey games. It will be the third and final U.S.-hosted game in the 2024-2025 series of meetings between Olympic foes. Team USA will host games Nov. 6 in San Jose, California, and Nov.
'Moose Madness' crowns new winners at Valley Club
The outcome came down to a putting contest when The Valley Club completed its “Moose Madness” member-guest men’s golf tournament in 90-degree temperatures Saturday north of Hailey. Capping off the club’s 28th annual tournament, the team of club member Curtis Gardner and guest Eli Gage two-putted the final North Course No. 9 hole and captured first place over the runner-up team of member Jay Dick and guest William Fitzhugh.
'Slap Shot' film, stars coming to Ketchum
One of the funniest and most irreverent sports films ever made is coming to Ketchum on Friday, Sept. 13, to kick off the 50th anniversary season of the Sun Valley Suns men’s hockey franchise. “Slap Shot,” the 1977 film starring Paul Newman about the rags-to-sort-of-riches rise of the brawling minor league hockey team known as Charlestown Chiefs, will be shown at the Argyros Performing Arts Center.
Alysa Liu to headline Saturday’s Sun Valley on Ice
Sun Valley on Ice’s 87th season of shows continues this weekend with headliner Alysa Liu as the featured star on Saturday, July 27. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. on the outdoor rink. Liu is the youngest-ever competitor to win an individual title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, capturing the 2019 title when she was only 13 years old. The prolific jumper added another national win in 2020 and graduated from high school at 15 in June 2021.
Valley Club President's Cup starts Friday
The Valley Club will stage its annual 36-hole President’s Cup stroke play championship for male and female members with handicap indexes on Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27. Players may choose the tee they would like to play. Registration closes today, Wednesday, July 24. Last year’s winners were Carson Mooney, for his fifth straight men’s title, and Suzanne Williams, who captured her 11th President’s Cup women’s championship.
A hot week for 'Moose Madness' golf
In 90-degree heat, The Valley Club staged its 28th annual “Moose Madness” member-guest men’s golf tournament Wednesday, July 17, through Saturday, July 20. Events began Wednesday with practice rounds. Here are those results, with full “Moose Madness” flight results and “horse race” outcomes to be published in Friday’s Express.
Skating finals open today on resort rinks
Sun Valley Figure Skating Club stages its 56th annual Sun Valley Summer Championships today, Friday, July 19, through Sunday, July 21, on the outdoor and indoor ice rinks at Sun Valley Resort. Due to compete are 166 skaters with 356 starts, meaning skaters may be entered in one or more events. Levels of competition will range from Basic Skills to Senior Ladies and Senior Elite/Pro Amateur. In addition to local SVFSC skaters, those competing include skaters from Mexico, Spain and Ireland.
Chuck Gates Junior Golf Tourney is July 26
There is still time for youngsters ages 7-18 to sign up for the 19th annual Chuck Gates Junior Golf Tournament set for Friday, July 26, from 1-4 p.m. (barbecue included) at Bigwood Golf Course north of Ketchum. Plans call for 3-hole, 6-hole and 9-hole flights. Cost is $15. Contact John Kearney by July 24 at 208-726-7820, or email JKearney@ketchumidaho.org. Sponsor is Gates Youth Golf Endowment.
OverSpeed Hockey Camps Take Over Campion Ice
Hailey’s Campion Ice House is open through Friday, July 26, for the annual OverSpeed Hockey program, also presented by Hailey Ice and Sun Valley Youth Hockey. The dates are Monday, July 22, through July 26, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Youth attending learn the basics from top coaches in the prep, junior, NCAA and professional hockey ranks. For each week, there are 11.5 hours of on-ice training and development. Visit overspeedhockey.com/sun-valley-experience for more information.
Legacy softball girls enjoy tourney success
Wood River Legacy Softball travel teams played well and enjoyed success during the two-day Home Sweet Home tournament in Rupert Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13. The 10U Wood River Cubs won six of their eight games, including all four on Saturday, to capture the first-place honors, and the 14U Wood River Rage took four victories in seven games to earn third place. Cubs 10U coach Ashley Adams said, “I was so proud of how hard the girls played this weekend, despite the miserable heat.
Paraglider sets new triangle record, off Baldy
Flying thousands of feet above everything, paraglider pilots put the human in human-powered transport. Their high-altitude playground is aided and challenged by the winds of the moment. Their skills and technical knowledge are paramount to success. Their rewards are personal and can be exhilarating. “We just try to do the most with the least. We’re just up there with our big bag of nylon and trying to go places,” Fly Sun Valley owner Chuck Smith has said.
Skating club prepares for mid-July championships
The Sun Valley Figure Skating Club is gearing up for its 56th annual Sun Valley Summer Championships, set for Friday, July 19, through Sunday, July 21, on the outdoor and indoor ice rinks at Sun Valley Resort. Due to compete are 166 skaters with 356 starts, meaning skaters may be entered in one or more events. Levels of competition will range from Basic Skills to Senior Ladies and Senior Elite/Pro Amateur.
Old West rough stock results roll in
Here are rough stock results for the Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club’s 76th edition of Hailey’s Days of the Old West rodeo, staged July 2-4. Rodeo stock was provided by Clark Rodeo Ranches of Buhl. Bull riding ($5,492 purse): 1—Dalton Howard, 82.5 points for $1,558. 2—Kobie Olson, 81.5 points for $1,286. 3—Ashton Zabrinskie, 80.5 points for $1,048. 4—Bruin Bradshaw, 80.5 points for $750. 5—Dakota Adams, 74.5 points for $482. 6—Wesley Cooper, 74 points for $368.
Legion Wranglers End Home Season
The Wood River American Legion U18 boys baseball team (5-13) wrapped up its home season Monday, July 8, with a home double-header loss to the Kimberly Dogs at Hailey’s Founders Field. Wood River’s last win came July 3 at Founders, a 5-2 decision over the Pocatello Post 4 Rebels. Pitcher Carter Thompson (105 pitches, 6 hits, 5 strikeouts) pitched into the seventh inning, Alex Golub earned the save and Drake Orr (2 hits) led the 6-hit Hailey attack.
Boulder Mountain Tour registration open for 2025
The 52nd annual Zions Bank Boulder Mountain Tour is set to take place north of Ketchum on its traditional day, the first Saturday in February, falling Feb. 1, 2025. Registration for next year’s event has now opened. The online registration deadline is Jan. 24, 2025, but there are several sign-up deadlines that will help skiers save money and guarantee their spot in the popular event.
Entries accepted for 2025 Boulder Mountain ski tour
Save money with early registrations for the 2025 Zions Bank Boulder Mountain Tour set for Feb. 1 north of Ketchum. Costs from until Aug. 31 for the 34-kilometer Full Boulder are $165 for adults and $125 for juniors, while fees for the 15k Half Boulder are $135 for adults and $85 for juniors. Prices rise from Sept. 1 to the Jan. 24 final deadline. The discounted fee deadline is Sept. 1 at bouldermountaintour.com.
Lynch, Mooney repeat as Valley Club champs
The Valley Club welcomed 120 golfers in 12 flights for its flagship member golf tournament held Thursday, June 27, through Saturday, June 29, prior to the busy Fourth of July holiday. There were 60 twosomes. Winning the “horse race” eliminations for the Member-Member meet was the twosome of Jason Lynch and Carson Mooney, who became back-to-back champs. Second place went to Steve Kearns and Paul Kenny. In third place were Colin George and Jeffrey Mansoor.
Gauchos 14U baseball team a winner at Chubbuck
Outscoring its opponents 42-13 over two days, the Wood River Gauchos 14U youth baseball team won the Chubbuck Bombs Away tournament June 29 in the Pocatello area. The Wood River Baseball Association squad captured a pair of blow-out victories and emerged triumphant in two classic battles with the Middleton 14U All-Stars to win its first tournament of the season.
Pickleball Tournament at Sun Valley July 6
Sun Valley Resort is holding a one-day Fourth of July holiday pickleball tournament on Saturday, July 6, with mixed doubles from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and women’s doubles from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $35 per person for four rounds, guaranteed. For more information and sign-ups, contact the Sun Valley Tennis and Pickleball Center at 208-622-2156.
Sun Valley on Ice debuts with reigning world champ
Sun Valley’s summer doesn’t hit full stride until Sun Valley on Ice kicks off its summer season of performances on the resort’s outdoor rink with a star-filled Independence Day show ending with fireworks. And Sun Valley on Ice, in its 87th season of shows, has a real humdinger of a headliner this year with the appearance of reigning world champion Ilia Malinin—the rising American star of skating.
Lyle makes Olympic squad for dressage
Former Ketchum resident Adrienne Lyle, of Wellington, Florida, has been selected to represent the U.S. in dressage competition at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. It will be the third Olympic appearance for the native of Whidbey Island, Washington. Lyle represented the U.S. at the 2012 London games riding Wizard, and at the 2020 Tokyo games with Salvino, where the team won silver.
Legion baseball ready for home doubleheader
The Wood River American Legion baseball team of ballplayers ages 16-19 is finishing up a developmental campaign and looking forward to a home doubleheader Wednesday against a squad from Pocatello. Scheduled for a 4 p.m. opening pitch at Founders Field in Hailey on Wednesday, July 3, the host Wranglers will seek to improve on their 3-9 season highlighted by a 2-2 mark on their home diamond. Wood River has split a pair of Founders Field league twinbills and enjoys playing on its own field.
Rodeo queens preside over Hailey’s Old West
Returning over Independence Day in 2024 is the Miss Days of the Old West competition for the Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club’s 76th edition of its Hailey rodeo. The three-day rodeo is Tuesday, July 2, through Thursday, July 4. Rodeo queen contestants help with stock throughout the holiday rodeo. They will march in the July 4 Mile Long Parade and will perform during halftime entertainment. The new royalty will be announced as a pre-rodeo attraction on July 4.
Malinin, Brown among top Americans set to perform during Sun Valley on Ice series
The outstanding U.S. figure skaters from March’s International Skating Union 2024 World Figure Skating Championships at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, are coming to Sun Valley this summer. World men’s singles gold medalist Ilia Malinin, 19, will headline the debut Sun Valley on Ice show on Wednesday, July 3, and longtime American competitor Jason Brown, 29, is coming Aug. 24.
Golfers turn out for Stoney Brown Pro-Am
Ninety golfers enjoyed fine summer weather Friday, June 21, for the 10th annual Stoney Brown Patriots Pro-Am invitational golf tournament at The Valley Club in Hailey. Tourney format was two-net best-ball. Winning professional over 18 holes was Lance Reiber of The Treasure Valley Club. He carded a two-under-par score of 70. The top fivesome at 28-under-par was the Second Flight group of Valley Club pro Michael Adamson, Dustin Ames, Chris Benson, Will Swink and Cathy Swink.
Wood River Pride battles into softball finale
The growth and appeal of girls fast-pitch softball in southern Idaho was on full display last weekend during the fourth-annual Wood River Mountain Classic tournament played in near 90-degree heat on four ball fields in Hailey. Making great catches and hitting in the clutch were players on 24 teams in four age classes, including four teams from the tournament sponsor Wood River Legacy softball program. The tournament director was Patrick Hodges. In all, 64 games were played over two days.
Tickets on sale for 76th Days of Old West Rodeo
The Sawtooth Rangers Riding Club has opened ticket sales for the 76th edition of Hailey’s Days of the Old West Rodeo. The three-day rodeo is Tuesday, July 2, through Thursday, July 4, at the Wertheimer Park arena on the south end of Hailey. Last year, the Hailey rodeo sold out all three performances of the rodeo, meaning about 25,000 people paraded through the turnstiles over three nights.
Hole-in-one at Elkhorn course
Terry Crawford recorded a hole-in-one on Sunday, June 16, at Elkhorn Golf Resort in Sun Valley. Terry used an 8-iron from 120 yards on Elkhorn hole No. 6. The witnesses to the rare feat were John Ersfeld and Russ Girdler.
Larry Lloyd grants awarded to Wood River seniors
The 2024 Larry Lloyd Scholarship winners received their awards recently at the annual Wood River High School baseball banquet. Two $500 scholarships were awarded, due to generous contributions from Lloyd’s family and friends. This year’s recipients were Jacob Uhrig and Holden Blair. Holden Blair commented: “Baseball is not only a game but also a metaphor for life. It teaches young men the universal lessons of triumph and failure.
Sun Valley Community School on excellence list
The Sun Valley Community School has earned a 2023-2024 Schools of Excellence third-place award from the Idaho High School Activities Association based on the performance of Cutthroat student athletes in athletics, sportsmanship and academics. The Sun Valley school placed third behind 2A class winner Declo and second-place Malad. The Camas County Mushers placed second in the 1A Division 2 class behind Rockland.
Hole-in -one at Elkhorn course
Terry Crawford recorded a hole-in-one on Sunday, June 16, at Elkhorn Golf Resort in Sun Valley. Terry used an 8-iron from 120 yards on Elkhorn hole No. 6. The witnesses to the rare feat were John Ersfeld and Russ Girdler.
Sun Valley Youth Hockey to welcome new executive director
After an intensive, nationwide search, Sun Valley Youth Hockey has recruited a Colorado professional to lead its growing organization. The Board of Directors for Sun Valley Youth Hockey announced on Wednesday, June 12, the hiring of Scott Smith as the organization’s new executive director. In a press release, SVYH said Smith emerged as the ideal candidate to lead the organization into a new phase of growth and success. “My passion has always been guiding young athletes,” said Smith.
The Captain at 90: still shooting straight
He spent 20 years in the U.S. Marines and about 25 years running the Sun Valley Gun Club. Add those numbers together and you’ve got half the long, productive life of Ketchum’s Ben Hurtig, who turned 90 Monday. If you ask Hurtig what he was in the Marines, he’ll say, “Rifleman.” If you ask him what he did, he’ll say, “Shoot.” He’s been shooting guns since he picked up a .410 gauge single-shot when he was 12 years old.
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