Coaches

Michael Savage '86, Program Director 

Mike is a native of Stratton, Maine, and a 1986 graduate from CVA's first class of four-year students. After completing his national and international racing career, Mike attended the University of Maine, Farmington, where he received a degree in Business Economics and a Ski Industry Certification. During this time, he was also the Alpine Program Manager of the Titcomb Ski Program. Mike also received his PSIA Full Certification and a Level 500 International Coach Certification. 

Mike traveled with the USST Women Europa Cup and World Cup circuits in 1990-1991, before returning to CVA as head coach of the women’s alpine program. During that time he helped establish one of the top Women's Alpine Programs in the United States. He coached Kirsten Clark, one of CVA’s most successful Olympians. He then moved on to be the Women's Head Coach at SMS. Mike then moved West, to Reno, Nevada where he became the Program Director at Mt. Rose. Then 2001-2005, he took the Athletic Director position for Sage Ridge School. In 2005, Mike started an elite women's private alpine team, Team Savage Ski Racing, training elite women from across the country, to become the best they could be in alpine ski racing. Team Savage alumni are now representing NCAA programs across the United States.

He is looking forward to applying the knowledge he has acquired globally to CVA’s alpine program. 

Doug Williams, Head U18/U21 Men's Coach 

Leading CVA's U18/U21Men is Doug Williams. With over 25 years of experience in the ski industry, Doug has worked at the national and international level of coaching and managed and coached athletes from the World Cup to development level. Prior to joining CVA Doug served as director of a major ski program. His dedication to his athletes and programs has earned him USSA International Coach of the Year and USSA/USOC Development Coach of the Year for Alpine Skiing distinctions, USSA Alpine Club of the Year, USSA Ski Club of the Year, Chief of Race for US National Championships, USST Assistant Coach to World Junior Championships in Maribor Slovenia. Williams has also served as a USST Development Coach, World Cup Coach, and Europa Cup Coach. He has been Chairman of USSA’s Eastern Development Committee and Vice Chair of the National Development Committee.

Chip Cochrane, U18/U21 Men’s Coach 

With close to 30 years of coaching experience, Chip Cochrane has been at Carrabassett Valley Academy for the last 17 years. Chip was a U.S. Ski Team member from 1978-1983 and competed in the World Championships in Shladminig, Austria in 1982. Bode Miller’s coach at CVA; Chip was named the 2007 USSA Domestic Coach of the Year. That same year he accompanied Ben Morse to the Topolino Trophy in Italy. Ben is now a member of the US Ski Team. His ability to elevate his athletes is evidenced by 95% of them having gone on to post season championships. In the last two years all of his athletes qualified for post season competition. He attended Sierra College and has his USSCA Level II certification. In the summer months Chip and his family operate Allagash Canoe Trips. 

Sawyer Fahy '02, Head U18/U21 Women's Coach 

Carrabassett Valley Academy alumnus and returning coach, Sawyer Fahy is beginning his seventh year. Sawyer started ski racing in the SCVA development program when he was eight years old and transitioned to the CVA alpine program. After graduating from high school, Sawyer attended Bates College where he competed on their Division I Alpine Ski Team and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Physics. Recently, Sawyer traveled to Park City, Utah and Mammoth, California with the US Development and Europa Cup teams where he learned the latest in ski racing technique. He plans to implement this knowledge into the CVA racing program. Sawyer has an extensive history of dedication and passion for both Sugarloaf Mountain and the CVA program. 

Andy Willihan '02, SCVA Program Manager & Head U14 Coach 

Andrew Willihan is in his 10th year coaching for Carrabassett Valley Academy.   He is very excited about returning to lead the SCVA program that spurred his love of coaching.  Andrew has a strong passion for the fundamentals and education of ski racing.  He has a degree in education from University of Maine at Farmington.  While working on his degree he coached for the SCVA weekend program.  After graduating from UMF he went to work in the industry as a race room manger for Volkl/Tecnica/Marker.  This guided him back to coaching in Maine where he became the J1 and 2 Pod leader for the SCVA program.  In addition to SCVA, during the week, he worked with Maine high school student athletes in central Maine as the head coach for MCI, Winslow, and Waterville Senior High School.  He was hired full time at CVA in 2008 as a womens assistant coach working primarily with development and FIS women as well as being the womens equipment manager.  Andrew is an alum of CVA and truly understands how vital the SCVA weekend program is to the overall success of the academy. 

Jennifer Stielow, U18/U21 Woman's Coach & Human Performance Manager 

Jenn comes to Carrabassett Valley Academy with more than a decade of professional ski industry experience as a coach, sports physiologist and certified strength and conditioning specialist. She holds a master's degree in exercise science from the University of Montana where her research focused on developing a sport specific analysis of junior athlete fitness in comparison to performance variables.  This work has given her the opportunity to present on the topic of athletic development both internationally and nationally.  She is a USSA certified Level 300 alpine coach and serves as a USSA Coaches Education clinician. Her past positions include work as the Western Region Development Manager for USSA, USSA Sports Science Intern, coaching with the Australian Paralympic Team and the Park City Ski Team. Jenn brings unparalleled knowledge of long term athlete development systems, coaching, and conditioning to the program in order to assist CVA athletes in reaching optimal levels of performance. 

Nate Jenckes, Head U16 Coach 

Nate has over 17 years of coaching experience and is a Level 400 USSA Certified coach. Nate attended University of Maine at Farmington where he earned a Bachelors degree. His concentration is in elite ski coaching under the tuteledge of Tom Reynolds and the Ski Industries Program. Nate has worked with the USSA Coaches Association, USSA Junior Development Programs and is a contributor to USSA’s “Take Your Brain to the Mountain.” Nate has managed junior alpine racing programs in various locations around the country. He has been successful with junior athletes ranging from USSA entry level to Junior Olympic Champions. He is a past MARA coach of the year. Nate will coach Men’s Soccer this fall. Nate lives in Wilton, ME with his wife Melinda and daughter Jaycee.