World Cup Champion Bode Miller to Play Celebrity Tennis Match at Sugarbush Tennis School

By AlpineZone News |
Aug 31 2005 - 02:35 PM

WARREN, Vermont ??” Skiing’s reigning World Cup Champion Bode Miller will be at the Sugarbush Health and Racquet Club this Saturday to take on tennis legend Guillermo Vilas in a celebrity tennis match. The doubles exhibition is part of the Resort’s weekend-long Inner Edge Tennis Retreat that features on-court instruction from Vilas, a four-time Grand Slam tennis champion.

Bode Miller became the first American to claim skiing’s overall World Cup title in more than twenty years when he notched over 20 Top Ten finishes on the World Cup circuit during the 2004-05 season. A former high school tennis state champion, the New Hampshire native spends his summers playing and teaching tennis at his family’s camp.

“This match is going to be sweet one,” remarked two-time ski Olympian Doug Lewis. “If Bode plays tennis with the same intensity he skis, we’re in for one hell of a show.” Miller, who earned the United States two silver medals in the 2002 Olympics, has made a name for himself in the ski world for his no-holds-barred approach to attacking an alpine racecourse.

This is the second year Sugarbush has hosted Guillermo Vilas and the Inner Edge Tennis Retreat. The IETR offers a novel approach to improving one’s skills. Retreat participants not only have court time and game feedback from Vilas, but they learn how nutrition and conditioning can increase the power and accuracy of their tennis game. Daily discussions focus on such topics as core power, hand-eye coordination, timing, balance and coordination.

“Saturday’s match will be pretty incredible to watch,” remarked Sugarbush’s Tennis Director Mike Smookler. “Guillermo brings an incredible amount of energy and excitement to the game and I know Bode is a phenomenal athlete. Watching the two of them go head-to-head should provide the crowd with plenty of excitement.”

Saturday’s exhibition match will kick-off at 4:30 PM, rain or shine, at the Sugarbush Health and Racquet Club. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs as there is limited seating.

Visit www.sugarbush.com for more information or call the Sugarbush Health and Racquet Club at 802_583_6700.

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