SARATOGA SPRINGS — Norah Dempsey, 14, a freshman at Saratoga Springs High School, a U16 alpine athlete through New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF), which has programs out of both Gore and Whiteface Mountain.
“This winter I had the opportunity to live and train out of Lake Placid/Whiteface for the winter while keeping up with my schoolwork with tutors. It is not actually affiliated with the Saratoga High ski team,” Dempsey explained.
“I started in the Mountain Adventure Program at Gore and then my brother did racing so the next year I followed in his footsteps and started racing at gore,” she said.
Her parents are also recreational skiers and her siblings both race, as well. Dempsey is a part of the Winter Term Program through NYSEF, a program which allowed her to train throughout the winter while getting one-on-one tutoring to keep up with her education.
“I love it, it’s great and the school has been really supportive of me missing so much of the winter for skiing,” Dempsey said.
Dempsey practices in the winter six days a week and also attends camps in the summer to practice. During Winter Term, Dempsey was pleased with how much time they had on the snow. She also plays soccer, piano, and the French horn. Though she thoroughly enjoys music, she prefers her athletics.
Comparing soccer and skiing she said, “I think they definitely compliment each other even though they’re really different as far as muscle sets go.”
Dempsey also occasionally volunteers at Saratoga Plan as part of the catering staff.
Dempsey is coached by Patrick Purcell.
