James Toner

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James Toner

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Personal information
Birth name	James V. Toner, IV
Nationality	American
Born	(1998-07-22) July 22, 1998 Falmouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation	Alpine skier ♂
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight
Parent(s)	James V. Toner Dale G. Toner
Sport
Country	United States
Skiing career
Disciplines	Giant Slalom, Super-G, Downhill
Medal record Mount Wachusett : Giant Slalom Gold Medalist Shawnee Peak : Giant Slalom Silver Medalist NASTAR : 2014 National Championships NASTAR : 2015 National Championships

James "Jimmy" Vincent Toner (/ˈtoʊnər/; born July 22, 1998) is an American Alpine Ski Racer and NASTAR National Champion in the Giant Slalom. A specialist in the Downhill and Super-G disciplines, his training involves frequent high-intensity race courses at immense altitudes, reaching speeds ranging anywhere between forty-five to ninety miles-per-hour. As a U.S. Development Alpine Athlete, Toner is predicted to debut in the 2018 Alpine World Cup , as well as a projected United States Olympic Committee hopeful for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Early Years

Born in Hyannis, Massachusetts and currently living in Falmouth, Massachusetts, James Toner spent the majority of his youth on the summer resort of Cape Cod. His parents, Jim and Dale Toner, raised him in a busy household with two older siblings, Mary and Kathleen Toner. In his early years, James was educated through the Falmouth Public School system until his sophomore year of Falmouth High School (Massachusetts), where he transferred to Bishop Stang High School in New Bedford and was elected Class President. Throughout his youth, however, James focused on more than his academics. Throughout his successful years of football and baseball up to his late high school years, he received the label of a student athlete. Taking full advantage of Cape Cod's exotic coastline, James became a devoted surfer in the white crests of the Cape Cod National Seashore. However, James obtained a passion rarely found in those who inhabit the Cape and Islands: Alpine Ski Racing.

Growing Up

With access to an A-Frame house built by his grandfather James (Buzz) Toner (II), in Bridgton, Maine, James and his family endure four-hour weekend drives north during the winter seasons. As the lodge is located parallel to the base of Shawnee Peak Ski Area, skiing became a passed-down Toner family tradition. Buzz Toner himself worked for the Graves Ski Company in Newburyport, Massachusetts, where the first fiberglass skis were engineered and labeled as "unbreakable", while James Toner (III) and his brothers went through racing programs as well.

Throwing on his first pair of skis at the age of four, Toner became comfortable in the sport at a young age. However, his racing career did not begin until the age of thirteen, which is quite uncommon among the ski racing community. The vast majority of alpine racers enter the various racing programs in their elementary-school years, placing James at a significant disadvantage in terms of experience.

Spending the majority of his slope time on commercial ski areas, James had little opportunity to test his skills in the gates. However, lacking access to race courses never held him back. As James was not considered to be the most of skiers, Whistles, cheers, and hollers would develop from the chairlifts when skiing by, as James would frequently find himself racing the pursuing ski patrol. Other than sustaining heavy injuries from wipeouts, nothing could prevent James from experiencing the thrill of hurtling down the steepest slopes in the Northeast.

At the age of twelve, James Toner developed a rapidly growing interest in organized racing – putting a rest to his dangerous recreational habits. Though he hadn't been registered as an official alpine racer, James found ways to develop his racing skills, becoming a "self-trained" ski racer - similar to Bode Miller. In the early mornings and late nights before closing time, James would sneak onto the Giant Slalom courses set up exclusively for local club racing teams. After the races were completed, James would take as many runs possible before the gates were either taken down or being caught by gate officials. Though it was a rebellious move on Toner's part, it greatly benefited him in the long run.

Encouraged by his father to receive race instruction before leaping into the competitive sport, James signed up for an individual session at Mount Wachusett. During the first session, Toner caught the eye of Thom Norton, former U.S. Cycling Team Athlete and Head Program Director at Mt. Wachusett. Recognizing a tremendous amount of untapped potential, Norton scheduled private, individual sessions with James where he mentored and trained the rising athlete. To everyone's disbelief, in no more than five two-hour sessions, Norton arranged for Toner to race against alpine racers with years of race experience.

In his first official giant slalom race, Toner won gold by .57 of a second. He was immediately categorized in the Silver Elite division, having only raced once in his entire career. Rapidly gaining attention, Toner was introduced to Wachusett Race Team Head Coach Brian McBride and President Tom Bateman, who registered the young athlete to compete in National Standard Race Competitions (NASTAR).

After three months of training and racing, James Toner qualified for the 2014 NASTAR National Championships in Aspen, Colorado. For an athlete to qualify, the racer must have earned a top 10 National Ranking, a top 5 State Ranking or a top 5 resort ranking (based on age group).

Current Life

James Toner currently trains as a United States Development Ski Racer and specialist in the Super-G and Downhill disciplines. He still pursues the Giant Slalom, however his preferences revolve around the two most breathtaking events. He continues his association with NASTAR as well as other local racing organizations.

References

Vinton, Nathaniel (February 2, 2015). The Fall Line: How American Ski Racers Conquered a Sport on the Edge. W. W. Norton & Company. p. 32. ASIN 0393244776. ISBN 0393244776. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check |asin= value (help) Palmer, Jon (17 December 2014). "James Toner, 16, Pushes the Limits of Ski Racing". Cape Cod Times. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)