April 12th- Steve McKinney "King Of Speed"

SVI invites you to attend a special night dedicated to a true pioneer in US skiing – Steve McKinney. McKinney is being awarded a posthumous Hall of Fame honor this year for his groundbreaking role in extreme and speed skiing. He was an American Alpine Skier and mountaineer who is acknowledged as an early pioneer in the sport of extreme skiing.  In 1978 McKinney broke speed records with a run clocked at 124.137mph, making him the first skier to break the 200km/h barrier. He then went on to set seven world speed skiing records around the globe between 1974-1987. In the 1980s, McKinney became an accomplished mountain climber.  In 1986 he led an expedition to Mount Everest during which he became the first person to fly a hang-glider off the highest mountain in the world. 
 
This extraordinary evening will inspire all ages as we bring together some of the most awarded Olympians and Champions of all time.  Keynotes by world record speed skier and noted ski journalist, Dick Dorworth. Dorworth was one of McKinney’s closest lifelong friends and ski partner.  His career touched every corner of the ski world, but his real impact came in his ability to turn his passion to words, which is why he was recently recognized by the International Skiing History Association with an Ullr Award. 
 
Tamara Mckinney, Steve McKinney’s younger sister, will share intimate inside perspectives on the life and legends of Steve McKinney with never before seen movie footage.  Tamara herself is a World Cup Champion and Olympian with a ski career that is unrivaled.
 
Everyone who knew Steve McKinney adored him, he was a mentor to an entire generation but particularly to Jimbo Morgan, a young prodigy of McKinney who carried on the torch all the way to the Olympic games to see through the vision of  
“ The King of Speed”.
 
Closing statements will be made by Steve's greatest speed skiing competitor, Franz Weber, six time consecutive World Speed Skiing Champion and Olympian. 
 
The evening will be topped off with a memorable opportunity to enjoy a vintage music performance with Barry Thys and the Nomads and Kendal Naughton as well as special performance guests; Jeff Martin, Debbie Dutton from the film “Hot Dog”, as well as Olympian, Marcus Naish.  This will be a night to celebrate the life of one of the world's greatest all time athletes who revolutionized an industry. He continues to inspire generations of dreamers.
 
The event will be held at the Olympic Village Lodge in Squaw Valley.  Admission is FREE for all SVI Members! Admission with advance ticket purchase is $20 per adult, $5 per child/student and $25 per adult at the door.  Doors open at 5:00 pm, opening presentation starts at 6:00 pm with Keynote by Tamara McKinney and Dick Dorworth.  Closing statement by Franz Weber, followed by the concert at 7:30 pm.  Cash bar and pizza by Fireside will be available for purchase.  Memorabilia will be on display and a silent auction will be available.  Highlights of the auction items include: Four tickets to the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony valued at $1,400 and one of a kind artwork.
Advance ticket purchase highly recommended, visit: www.SquawValleyInstitute.org for event details and to purchase tickets.