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Coaches

Program Director Derek Delzer

Derek has been coaching ski racing since 2004.  He raced at all levels including High School, MACC, USSA, US Masters Nationals, and FIS.  As a Level 300 coach, Derek has worked with all age groups.  His athletes have skied at High School State Championships, age class championships, and US Nationals.  Derek started coaching for Pinnacle Alpine Racing in 2012, having coached at all levels throughout the program.  He took on the Directorship role in 2017.

Derek is a graduate of Albion College.  He is a health and physical education teacher.

Derek believes that ski racing teaches young athletes important life lessons of time management and pursuit of excellence in personal achievements, regardless of individual ability.


COACH LUCA BARBERIS

Luca, a 40-point FIS slalom and GS skier, comes to us from Switzerland where he was a graduate of the Swiss Olympic Ski Academy in Engelberg (2010).  He moved to the United States to work as an Industrial Designer in the automotive industry.  While visiting the Ski Co. in Rochester, Luca learned about Pinnacle and the rest is history!  He is extremely happy and grateful to have found this team, and to help athletes nurture their passion for this amazing sport, while building them into faster skiers.


COACH ERIC COOK

Eric started skiing at the age of two and hasn’t stopped since. He began racing at Mt. Brighton at the age of nine with the Jr. Expo program which quickly led to racing USSA in Region 3 at the age of ten. He worked his way through what was called at that time, the select program and moved up to the elite program by age thirteen with the Bay Race Academy out of Traverse City. He qualified for the Junior Olympics as a J2 in 1985 and 1986, which was followed by FIS racing at the age of 15 at the Central Mid Am Series. As a FIS racer, he raced all over the country from Michigan, the East Coast, Rockies, the West Coast, all the way to Alaska and into Canada. At the age of 19, he qualified for US Nationals in all events.

He spent his post-grad year in Aspen, CO with the Aspen Ski Club. That season, he qualified for US Nationals in Super-G. After returning to Michigan, at 22, he raced back in Region 3 and the Central Mid-Am series until he blew-out his knee and retired from competitive ski racing in 1993, which started his coaching career.  Eric began coaching at Apple Mt. in Midland Michigan for the Bay Race Academy in 1994. After graduating from Northwood University, he returned to Brighton and continued to coach at Mt. Brighton for 3 years as the southeastern group for Bay Race Academy. With the retirement of the Bay Race Academy director, Ted Lockwood, the southeastern group ended. Eric returned to racing for himself, and a short time later joined the XLR8 program for his daughter Jo as a coach in 2009 and coached for them until 2018. In 2015, Eric start the CSPA High School Ski Team for his kids. Now he is the assistant Coach to his daughter Libby, who is the head coach of the program. Over the last 10 years, he has become a Level 200 USSA coach, Level 2 Chief of Race, Level 2 Referee, and a Level 1 USSA TD. Eric joined Pinnacle in 2019 as a U14 coach, and continues to coach there.

 


COACH DAVIDE DAVI

Born in Rovereto, in the province of Trento, close to the Alps of Norther Italy, Davide practiced several sports since young age. He began downhill skiing with his family at the age of 3 and started racing at the age of 6. 

Davide developed as a ski racer, initially with many regional victories, and later participating to several national and international FIS races in Europe where he achieved ~ 50 FIS points in most alpine disciplines. 

Davide received a formal certificate of ski teacher and Level 3 Ski Coach Certificate from the Italian Ski Federation. While studying electrical engineering and competing in FIS UNI races, Davide worked as a ski teacher at a ski school in Madonna di Campiglio and as a coach for two different ski clubs with U16-U18 athletes.

Davide moved to the US in 1998, continued skiing for fun but paused racing and coaching activities until 2012. In 2013 Davide restarted training and racing achieving the victory in the FIS World Master Cup in Super G (age 30-55) in 2017.  After returning to Michigan in 2021, Davide provided support as a Coach assistant to Pinnacle Alpine racing during the season 2021/2022.

Despite residing in the US, Davide maintains his formal certification in Italy as ski teacher and coach through regular refresher courses, the last in summer of 2022.

Davide is US citizen and holds a current USSA membership as alpine coach and master racer.

Davide’s main occupation is that of CEO of Hauschild SpeedMixer Inc., a US company that distributes and services laboratory mixing equipment made in Germany. Davide is married to Amalia and has 2 young kids, Giovanna and Ida.

Fun fact: in 1995 Davide worked for HTM Sport, producer of the iconic S. Marco ski boots, company afterwards acquired by Head.

More bio information and a few pictures available @ www.davidedavi.com


COACH MIKE FINCH

Mike took an interest in coaching ski racing when his daughter was becoming a competitive ski racer.  He now has 12 years of experience, 9 years at XLR8/Mt. Brighton, and 3 years at Pinnacle.  He has also coached 3 years of high school racing.  Mike is a Level 200 coach and has Chief of Race, Referee, and Timing and Calculation US Ski certifications.  He is a coach because of the kids and the passion he has for the sport itself.  Mike believes there is no other feeling quite like helping young athletes further develop their natural determination, skills, discipline, dedication, work ethic, and their connection with and respect for others, not only in competition but in life itself.  It makes Mike proud that he can provide kids with the experiences that ski racing provides.  


COACH ALEX MCINTOSH

The 2022-23 season will be Alex’s third season coaching with Pinnacle Alpine Racing.  Alex is a former Pinnacle athlete.  During his ski racing career, he competed in FIS, over 10 years of USSA racing, and won a team D1 State Championship.


COACH ROB MCINTOSH

Rob is a former collegiate ski racer with over 35 years of coaching experience.  He has been a Pinnacle coach since 2008, working with our FIS and U16/U18 athletes.  He also has 12 years of experience at the high school level, coaching for Clarkston High School.  Rob is a Level 100 coach and a US SKI certified referee.  He enjoys having the opportunity to work with dedicated athletes to help them grow both as a person, an athlete and a ski racer. Rob has been skiing for over 55 years and loves the freedom that skiing provides us as individuals.  Rob notes that skiing is a lifetime sport, and we get the privilege to teach young athletes how to develop, learn, and love the sport.


COACH CRAIG MCLEOD

Craig started coaching to spread his passion and love for ski racing.  He has been coaching since 1984, learning from Bob Vial coaching for Brother Rice/Marion and USSA athletes.  He has been coaching with Pinnacle for seven years, and five years for Notre Dame Prep, whose accolades include three state championships and two runner-up finishes. Craig is currently a Level 100 coach and is looking to pursue his Level 200 certifications.


COACH SCOTT (SCOOT) MEYERS

Scott has been coaching for the better part of 40 years.  He is a Level 300 certified coach.  He has coached at the local, collegiate, and Olympic leves.  Scott has coached well known skiers and played a role in their success.  As a coach for Pinnacle, it is his desire to not only build great skiers, but also to make a postiive impact on their lives.  He believes in hard work, dedication, and always bringing your "A game" to practices, races, and life. 


COACH JOSH VANDRUSKA

Josh joined the Walled Lake Central Ski Team his sophomore year of high school.  At that time, he had never been in gates, or had any coaching.  He quickly fell in love with the sport.  Years later, after spending time living in Aspen, Josh moved back to Michigan and was a bit bored with Michigan hills.  Looking to enjoy skiing again drove him to coaching at Walled Lake Central in 2004.  Meeting his wife Shannon, a fellow ski coach, led Josh to taking a new position at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.  They will be coaching their 15th High School season together, this year at Milford High School. 

Josh has completed USSA Level 100 clinic and course setting clinic.  He has coached for Peninsula Alpine Racing, WIN Alpine, and will be starting his fifth season at Pinnacle Alpine Racing.  He has been the Head Coach for Pinnacle’s HS Development program for the past four seasons and will continue this role along with coaching the U Program at Alpine Valley. 

Josh has been fortunate to coach alongside Pinnacle’s other U program coaches at Panorama, Vail, Searchmont, and Mt. Hood camps.  He looks forward to continuing sharing his passion for ski racing and working with our Pinnacle athletes.