Dear Far West Masters Association,
First and foremost, thank you again for your tremendous support over the years, and especially for the college grant. It truly means a great deal to me.
I recently completed my first year at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, along with my first season ski racing out East (and I survived the winter!).
Overall, my transition to college went smoothly, and I credit much of that to the responsibility and independence that skiing has instilled in me from a young age. I was one of eight freshmen on the Bates Alpine Ski Team (four women and four men), and they, along with the rest of the team, quickly became like family. I also came to appreciate how special the small, tight-knit community at Bates is and I can count on seeing a familiar face every time I leave my dorm, while still constantly meeting new people.
When carnival season began, I wasn't sure what to expect and went in with an open mind. At the first carnival, hosted by Colby at Sugarloaf, I surprised myself with a top-10 finish and by leading for Bates. Following that weekend, I was honored to receive "Bobcat of the Week," an award recognizing the top male and female athletes of the week at Bates. This recognition was incredibly motivating and made me want to push even further.
However, as the season progressed, I became overly focused on qualifying for NCAA Championships. In doing so, I lost sight of the joy and passion that originally drew me to the sport. This season challenged me mentally, but in hindsight, it taught me invaluable lessons. It was my first time skiing many of those mountains, adapting to new snow conditions, and competing as part of this team, it was all new. I've come to realize the importance of giving myself grace in those moments. With three more years ahead, I'm excited to return with a healthier mindset and a renewed love for the sport.
My top results from this season were:
- 1st place SL – El Colorado, Chile
- 2nd place SL – El Colorado, Chile
- 1st place SL – Brown Carnival (Sunday River, ME)
- 2nd place GS – Brown Carnival (Sunday River, ME)
- 10th place GS – Colby Carnival (Sugarloaf, ME)
- 14th place GS – St. Lawrence Carnival (Whiteface, NY)
- 3rd place GS – Eastern Cup Finals (Burke Mountain, VT)
I finished the season with 39.35 SL points and 40.94 GS points, making it one of my strongest seasons to date.
But by the end of the season, I found myself looking forward to spring. Being at Bates helped me realize that there is more to life than ski racing, and that my results do not define my worth. During Bates' May "Short Term," where students take one focused course, I enrolled in Neuroscience of Sleep. It was fascinating, introduced me to a new group of peers, and sparked a strong interest in neuroscience.
One of the things I've loved most about Bates is the variety of unique and engaging classes. This year, I took courses such as "Sex in the Brain: The Neuroscience of Hormones," Peace and Conflict in Europe, Biomedical Ethics, and even a dance class, which helped me become more intentional with movement and spatial awareness.
Thank you again for your continued support, it has played a meaningful role in both my academic and athletic journey.
Sincerely,
Regan Clute
