KILLINGTON, VT (Nov. 28, 2016) – One of the most prominent voices in ski sport, Peter Graves, was honored with the FIS Journalist Award during the Audi FIS Ski World Cup weekend at Killington. The award is presented annually by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and the International Ski Federation (FIS).
Graves is most known as the voice of ski racing, having served as a prominent sport announcer and television announcer for nearly 40 years. Growing up as an elite level cross country ski racer, he became known for both his editorial work in nordic sport as well as one of its leading sports announcers.
“Peter just brings so much passion to our sport,” said USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “Whether he’s calling the action on Birds of Prey or on Superstar here at Killington, or writing about his favorite nordic sports, he brings such enthusiasm and positive feeling, generating so much excitement about our sports.”
"Peter is a highly worthy recipient of the FIS Journalist Award,” said FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis, who was on hand in Killington for the presentation. “His extensive knowledge of the sport and each of the disciplines comes across loud and clear in his commentary and reporting. Peter's commentary is always a pleasure to listen to, in addition to communicating well-researched facts and figures about the competition, the course and the athletes."
Graves, who grew up in Bennington, VT, skied collegiately at Fort Lewis College where he began his career in radio news broadcasting. He began writing about the sport and grew his sports announcing and broadcast career quickly. He has served as either a venue announcer or broadcaster at nine summer and winter Olympic Games, beginning with a role with ABC Sports for the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. He is unique among FIS Journalist Award recipients in that his work – both commentary and editorial – has touched each of the USSA’s ski sports.
At the Sochi Olympic Winter Games, Graves served as an announcer at the Olympic Medals Plaza, as well as at ski jumping and alpine ski racing venues. He has also been a commentator for FIS World Championships in alpine and nordic skiing
“I'm deeply humbled in receiving this award,” said Graves. “Being honored by your peers means the world to me. From the moment I first heard Bob Beattie call the Hahnenkamm I dreamed of announcing ski racing. It was electrifying and still is today! In many ways I feel like I'm just starting out in my career. It still energizes me in a way that moves me to the core.
He was presented with the award during the Audi FIS Ski World Cup where he served as a stadium announcer, calling the action for 30,000 fans at Killington as Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin stunned the crowd with her slalom victory.
Graves is the 17th recipient of the award that includes some of the sport’s most noted journalists.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Longtime journalist, broadcaster and sport announcer Peter Graves was presented the FIS Journalist Award for his lifetime of coverage of the U.S. Ski Team athletes and events.
- The award was presented by U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Tiger Shaw during the Audi FIS Ski World Cup in Killington.
- The FIS Journalist Award is made by the sport's international governing body for career contributions to the sport. Selections are made by national ski associations on behalf of the FIS. Graves is now among a list of 17 journalists honored in America since the award began in 1996.
- Graves’ career as a journalist has spanned over 40 years, including nine summer and winter Olympic Games.
FIS JOURNALIST AWARD
U.S. Recipients
2016 – Peter Graves, Sport broadcaster and announcer
2015 – Steve Porino, NBC
2014 – John Dakin, Vail Valley Foundation (presented in Feb. 2015)
2013 – John Meyer, Denver Post
2012 – Jonathan Selkowitz, Photographer
2011 – Tim Ryan, NBC
2010 – Hank McKee, Ski Racing
2010 – Paul Robbins, Freelance Journalist
2008 - Mike Clark, Associated Press
2007 - Gary Black, Ski Racing
2002 - Peter Diamond, NBC
2002 - Joe Jay Jalbert, Jalbert Productions
2001 - Anita Verschoth, Sports Illustrated
1999 - Charlie Meyers, Denver Post
1998 - John Fry, Ski Magazine
1997 - Bob Beattie, ABC/ESPN
1996 - William Oscar Johnson, Sports Illustrated
