Greg Needell - Veteran ski coach

Greg Needell, former U.S. Ski Team coach, died on June 7 on a Mammoth Mountain chairlift, of an apparent heart problem. He was 52. It was the first day of a training camp for his Team Summit squad.

Born in Vermont, Needell raced for Stratton Mountain School and St. Lawrence University, specializing in Super G. Upon graduation he returned to the Stratton School, as head coach for women and J2 men. He then coached at Mission Ridge (Washington) before moving to Mammoth in 1997. From 2002 to 2009 he coached the U.S. Ski Team men, then moved to Aspen. In 2015 he was named head coach for Team Summit in Colorado. In 2009-10 he wrote a column for Ski Racing.

He is survived by his wife, Shannon, and son, Coen; and by sister Claire and brother Jon.