2024

Abby Crisostomo & Han Saydek

In 2020 the Vermont non-profit Unlikely Riders was established to promote diversity and inclusivity in alpine, backcountry and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and other mountain sports. Founders Abby Crisostomo, Han Saydek, Amanda Moran, and Bettina Guevara were motivated by a desire to create a welcoming community for underrepresented groups regardless of their background to get outside and enjoy winter sports in Vermont.

Today Abby and Han manage the organization, and, together, bring extensive experience in social justice and community organizing to the forefront and are working tirelessly to build a supportive and diverse community of riders while introducing people to the joys of winter outdoor recreation.

Abby Crisostomo, a powder hungry snowboarder and captivating photographer, is a visionary non-profit leader. With a background working in conservation, recreation, and climate advocacy organizations like the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Green Mountain Club, she has dedicated her career to promoting inclusivity in outdoor recreation.

Han Saydek is a dynamic leader and lifelong skier and snowboarder that’s committed to fostering diversity in the mountain sports community. Han grew up in Cavendish, VT, attending the local elementary school’s Tuesday ski program, and has fond memories of the Okemo Alpine Race Program and Okemo Mountain School, as both a ski race athlete and later, as a coach.

Together, Abby and Han have established Unlikely Riders as a transformative organization in Vermont, promoting inclusivity, environmental stewardship, and the joy of outdoor adventure for all. Through community ski and ride days, skiing and riding instruction, gear and clothing distribution, wilderness medicine, avalanche education, and ski and snowboard instructor courses, Unlikely Riders is breaking down barriers to entry in skiing and riding.

2023

Tara Geraghty-Moats

After spending much of her life training and advocating for the inclusion of women in sport, in 2021, at age 28, Tara Geraghty-Moats of West Fairlee, Vermont won her first coveted World Cup globe and the Inaugural Women's World Cup Nordic Combined competition.

One of the original winter Olympic sports, Nordic Combined, which combines cross-country skiing and ski jumping, remained closed to women until the 2020/21 season. In the winter of 2018/19 in the first international Women's Continental Cup, the precursor to the women’s Nordic Combined World Cup, Geraghty-Moats won 10 of the 11 races. 

Geraghty-Moats started competing at age 5 in freestyle events at Mad River Glen and through her youth raced cross-country and ski jumped.

In her teens she was a multi-time medalist in the Junior Nordic Nationals, Junior Ski Jumping Nationals, and was named to the USSA Visa Development Team. She went on to win the USA Junior Nationals and Swedish Junior Nationals for biathlon.

She went on to land a spot on the World Championship Team for jumping when she was 21. She missed the Pyeong Chang Olympics due to a broken arm. In 2019, besides winning the Nordic Combined Continental Cup in 2019, Geraghty-Moats went on to become the European Marathon Skiing Champion and was named to the World Cup Ski Jumping Team.

Tara recently joined the U.S. Biathlon Team and trains with the U.S. National Guard, where she completed basic training in 2023. She currently lives in an off-the-grid cabin in Albany, Vermont and trains in Craftsbury, Vermont.

Throughout her career, Tara has overcome injuries and consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible. Tara is known for her relentless work ethic and determination. She has been an advocate for women's inclusion in all aspects of skiing, striving to create equal opportunities for female athletes in a traditionally male-dominated discipline.  She was an athlete ambassador at the 2020 Olympic Junior Games and has been profiled by NBC Sports and other media for her advocacy work in pushing for gender parity in sports. 

Tara continues to motivate others through her performances, sportsmanship, and unwavering dedication. She is a driving force in encouraging young girls to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in any field they choose.

2019

Tim Kelley

Tim was on the US Ski Team from 2006-2010, racing numerous World Cups, Europa Cups and NorAms. Following an injury-riddled 2010 season, he was unexpectedly dropped from the US SkiTeam. However, he was told he was still eligible to compete in college so he enrolled at UVM, had the needed hip and back surgeries, and returned to skiing that winter. After three successful years at UVM and more surgeries, he wanted to explore international racing again. He skied on his own for a year before he founded Redneck Racing with his brother, Robby, and two others. They pioneered a path to continue competing at an elite high level, despite not having national team support.

Tim raced at World Championships and then was re-named to the US Ski team in the spring. That season Tim had his best results in World Cup racing finishing 12th at Wengen and 21st in Kitzbuhel. With more back issues, he retired in 2016, returned to finish school at UVM, and coached for them until he graduated. Outside of competing and coaching, Tim has been volunteering with Vermont Special Olympics and as the Pace Biker for the Hand Cyclists at the Burlington Marathon. He plays an active role with his at Cochran’s Ski Area with maintenance, grooming, mowing, etc. and with the mountain bike trail system. Tim serves on the Board of Cochran’s Ski Area and strives to promote the mission “to provide area youth and families with affordable skiing and snowboarding, lessons and race training, in the Cochran tradition.” He brings UVM students to train with youth at Cochrans and to ski in USSA races.

2018

Kelly Brush Davisson

This year, Kelly Brush Davisson will receive the First Tracks Award, which honors exceptional and ongoing contributions made to skiing or snowboarding in Vermont by someone under 35. This award is given in memory of Ian Graddock, a Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum board member and lifelong skier who passed away in 2016 at the age of 35.

Kelly was selected for her founding of the Kelly Brush Foundation and her inspirational work promoting the importance of ski racing safety. Also for her, and KBF’s, significant contributions to making active lifestyles on and off the slopes a reality for those who have experienced spinal cord injuries.

It seems fitting that the award will be presented as part of our Hall of Fame Induction at Killington given KBF’s partnership with them on the Women’s World Cup in 2017. A $40,000 KBF grant, matched by Killington, showcased ski racing safety at the highest level.  Kelly and her husband Zeke, president of the Kelly Brush Foundation, will be on hand to receive the award from members of Ian Graddock’s family.