yes, those guys may have quit those programs because it wasnt for them. those programs are still around and still producing banger athletes. the people who realized it wasnt for them went on and did their hting, some prospered and some didnt. everyone goes through phases of finding out what suites them. and that these other freeski programs have started? thats awesome, just gives more oppertunities for people out there. take windells academy...(this is going to be a crazy vague analogy but hang iwth me here) back in the day i can remember that WVA (waterville academy) and CVA (carabasset valley academy) were like the two major talent producing jams out there. people like vanular, colby west, hathaway, martini, lil john, jeff kiesel and the list could go on and on. now with windells it gives a west coast alternative for those sorts of things. you could to shred at mt hood as your local mountain...thats pimp! no more dry land training in the summer...youve got the real deal right there. and we have people elike goepper and his other homies, sorry cant remember your names right now, all slaying it. its just another alternative and more choice for people to choose from when they decide they want to go that route with their skiing. noone forces people into these academies.