Jeret "Speedy" Peterson in Deer Valley, Utah. (photo: Gary Dickey)

Hurricane for Hope Remembers an Olympic Hero

Park City, UT – On Friday, August 10, family, friends, community members, and the largest collection of Olympic and Paralympic athletes outside of London will gather at the Utah Olympic Park for the inaugural “Hurricane for Hope.”

The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation and The Speedy Foundation, established in honor of the late Olympic medalist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson, will come together to raise funds that support youth sports programs and mental health awareness. All proceeds from this event will be used to develop and deliver community educational programs dedicated to understanding mental illness, fighting its stigma, preventing suicide through youth sport programs and inspire youth to participate in sports and enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Jeret "Speedy" Peterson in Deer Valley, Utah. (photo: Gary Dickey)
Jeret “Speedy” Peterson in Deer Valley, Utah. (photo: Gary Dickey)

The event will celebrate the “joy of sport” and the impact that being active has on the lives of youth and communities, as well as remember the life and legacy of Speedy who died last July. Peterson, who took the silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver for his trick the Hurricane, fully embodied sportsmanship, the love of participating in sport and the joy of being active. Although his hometown was in Idaho, he lived and trained for much of the season in Park City at the Utah Olympic Park.

Tickets range in price from $25 to $125, and special VIP packages are available for purchase at www.hurricaneforhope.com. With doors opening at 6:30 p.m., guests will enjoy a silent auction, live music and food, meet and greet with Olympic athletes, and enjoy a spectacular big air show featuring the Flying Ace All Stars starting at 8 p.m. These athletes will be throwing their best tricks in Speedy’s honor.

Among those athletes in attendance are teammate and close friend, Emily Cook, who has been a driving force behind the Hurricane for Hope event.

“My teammates and I really look forward to coming together to jump for Speedy and to help ensure that others in the future are supported in their own challenges,” said Cook. “By joining with our winter Olympic teammates, The Speedy Foundation and the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, we feel we can begin to make a difference for future athletes and young people.”

Also included is an opportunity drawing for a three-hour private lesson for ten people taught by Olympic athletes and Fly Freestyle coaches. The suggested contribution for this opportunity is $25 or a ticket to the event. This experience includes: Olympic coaching by Emily Cook, 2006 and 2010 Olympian, Freestyle Aerials; Jana Lindsey, 2006 and 2010 Olympian, Freestyle Aerials; Nate Roberts, 2010 Olympian, Freestyle Moguls; Lacy Schnoor, 2010 Olympian, Freestyle Aerials; and Graham Watanabe, 2006 and 2010 Olympian, Snowboard Cross. For details visit www.hurricaneforhope.com.

Athletes attending the event will include:

Olympic Medalists:
Derek Parra: Speedskating- 2002-Gold and Silver
Shannon Bahrke: Mogul Skiing-2002-Silver 2010 Bronze
Bryon Wilson: Mogul Skiing-2010 Bronze
Sarah Tueting: Ice Hockey-Gold 98, Silver ‘02
Jim Shea: 2002 Gold Skeleton
Nikki Stone: 1998 Gold Aerials

Olympians:
Lacy Schnoor: 2010 Olympian
Jana Lindsey: 2006, 2010 Olympian
Nate Roberts: 2010 Olympian, 2005 World Champion
Graham Watanabe: 2006, 2010 Olympian
Tracy Evans: 1994, 1998, 2002 Olympian

US Ski Team:
Meg Olenick: US Ski Team
KC Oakley: US Ski Team

Jumping in the show: 
David Morris: AUS 2010 Olympian
Scotty Bahrke: 2010 Olympian
Brian Currutt: 2002 Olympian
Matt Chojnakci: 1998 Olympian
Emily Cook: 2006/2010 Olympian
Heather McPhie: 2010 Olympian
Jillian Vogtli: Moguls-2002/2006 Olympian
Zac Amidan: Former U.S. Ski Team
Mike Rossi: U.S. Ski Team
Andre Dumas: Former U.S. Ski Team
Dylan Ferguson: U.S. Ski Team
Ali Lee: U.S. Ski Team
Madison Olsen: U.S. Ski Team
Nevin Brown: U.S. Ski Team
John Lillis: U.S. Ski Team
Tim Gage

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