At SYNC, we believe in supporting athletes not just in their top results, but in their journey, wherever it takes them. Ski racing is more than results; it’s about resilience, growth, and the community that surrounds you. Our athletes inspire us with their dedication, creativity, and the way they lift each other up on and off the hill.
This season, we are proud to announce the second-ever SYNC Athlete Ambassador Team, a group of talented, hardworking athletes who reflect these values. Built for those pushing limits at the NCAA, NorAm, or World Cup level, the Athlete Ambassador Team provides the gear, platform, and community athletes need to thrive both on and off the hill.
There are 18 elite athletes on the 2026/27 Athlete Ambassador Team, and we can’t wait to watch their journeys unfold throughout the season.
26/27 WOMEN'S TEAM
Abby Dembeck – University of New Hampshire
Amelia Smart – Stoke Alpine Racing
Audrey Crowley – U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team
Eleri Smart – Stoke Alpine Racing
Erica Lynch – University of Nevada
Galena Wardle – Independent
Mia Hunt – Burke Mountain Academy
Sarah Bennett – Independent
Sophia Tozzi – Burke Mountain Academy
Stef Fleckenstein – Team Stef / Independent
Tianna Bruce – University of New Hampshire
26/27 MEN'S TEAM
Carson Hume – University of Denver
Dominic Shackleton – Middlebury College
Dominick DeGuardia – St. Lawrence University
Julian Arthur – Middlebury College Alpine
Abby Dembeck — 2005
Team: University of New Hampshire
Hometown: Vail, Colorado
Goals: "My main goal for this season is to qualify and ski in the NCAA championship this year. With that, I am aiming to consistently place in the top 15 throughout the carnival season. All in all I am super excited for this season and to be skiing pain free!"
Fun Fact: "I play club lacrosse at UNH, and we are one of the top ranked teams in the country."
Amelia Smart — 1998
Team: Stoke Alpine Racing
Hometown: Invermere, BC
Goals: "Ski out of my comfort zone and get some top 20 World Cup results."
Fun Fact: "I co-own a home bakery."
Audrey Crowley — 2008
Team: U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team
Hometown: Eagle, Colorado
Goals: "After making it to Milan-Cortina, I'm excited to keep building on that momentum this season and see how far I can push my results."
Fun Fact: "I raced at the Milan-Cortina Paralympics this past March."
Carson Hume — 2005
Team: University of Denver
Hometown: Frisco, Colorado
Goals: "My goals this season are to help bring a championship home for DU. Additionally I will be continuing competing in NorAms and I will be working to finish top 5 in overall GS standings and top 5 in SG standings."
Fun Fact: "I love skiing!"
Dominic Shackleton — 2004
Team: Middlebury College
Hometown: Kirby, Vermont
Goals: "Avoid any complications with returning from injury, and ski fast enough to justify missing a lot of school."
Fun Fact: "Competed in the 2016 Nutmeg Games for fencing. Currently in a lecture (in New Zealand), learning about the 'Nephilim' for a class on conspiracy theories."
Dominick DeGuardia — 2005
Team: St. Lawrence University
Hometown: Turin, New York
Goals: "My goals for the season are to become an All American, and to get top 15s in the NorAm circuit."
Fun Fact: "If I could only have one app on my phone, it would be Spotify."
Eleri Smart — 2001
Team: Stoke Alpine Racing
Hometown: Invermere, BC
Goals: "My goals for this season are to have success at the ANC races this summer and early NorAm races once the winter season begins in order to begin competing on the World Cup circuit. I am also aiming to have success on the Europa Cup circuit throughout the winter."
Fun Fact: "I run an at-home bakery! @a_ebakes"
Erica Lynch — 2003
Team: University of Nevada
Hometown: Mammoth Lakes, California
Goals: "My goals are to continue progressing at both the NCAA and NorAm levels. In NCAA competition, I'm aiming to win an RMISA race and earn a podium finish at the NCAA Championships. On the NorAm circuit, my goal is to finish the season ranked in the top five in either slalom or giant slalom."
Fun Fact: "I was a six-sport athlete growing up and somehow ended up choosing the one that involves waking up at 5 a.m. and freezing on a mountain."
Galena Wardle — 1998
Team: Independent
Hometown: Aspen, Colorado
Goals: "This season I am stepping back from formal alpine racing, and will be competing in Freeride Qualifiers as well as the World Pro Ski Tour. I will be focusing on Freeride 3* and 4* events, with hopes to qualify for the 2027 Region 2 Challengers — a Freeride World Tour qualifying event."
Fun Fact: "I speak four languages! French, Spanish, Portuguese, and English."
Julian Arthur — 2005
Team: Middlebury College
Hometown: Crested Butte, Colorado
Goals: "NCAA All American in both events, top 3 in SL NorAm standings, and top 10 in GS."
Fun Fact: TBD...
Mia Hunt — 2003
Team: Burke Mountain Academy
Hometown: Park City, Utah
Goals: "Top two in NorAm SL overall standings."
Fun Fact: "I am half Norwegian, I have freckles on one shin but not the other, and I love doing crafts!"
Sarah Bennett — 2001
Team: Independent
Hometown: Quebec
Goals: "My goals this season are to be consistently in the top 30 in slalom world cups and finish the year in the top 30 WC start list."
Fun Fact: "I love drumming and making videos on social media."
Sophia Tozzi — 2003
Team: Burke Mountain Academy
Hometown: Jackson, Wyoming
Goals: "To reestablish myself at the top of the NorAm circuit following my second knee injury, and work towards winning a NorAm title."
Fun Fact: "My favorite thing besides ski racing is being in the mountains, whether that's hiking, biking, running, or ski touring. I also love being on the river in the summer!"
Stef Fleckenstein — 1997
Team: Independent / Team Stef
Hometown: Whistler, BC
Goals: "Compete at World Champs and consistently finish top 20/top 15 at World Cup!!"
Fun Fact: "My hobbies are beading jewelry, crafting, and playing every sport imaginable :) I'm the one forcing SYNC to always make pink gear because we LOVE pink."
Tianna Bruce — 2004
Team: University of New Hampshire
Hometown: Vail, Colorado
Goals: "My goal this season is to compete at NCAA Champs for my school, end up in the top 15 standings for SL NorAm, and top 30 for GS."
Fun Fact: "I can unicycle."
