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BROOMFIELD, Colo. , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN ) today reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 ended October 31, 2024 , provided season pass sales results for the 2024/2025 season, updated fiscal 2025 net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. guidance and reaffirmed fiscal 2025 Resort Reported EBITDA guidance, announced capital investment plans for calendar year 2025, declared a dividend payable in January 2025 , and announced first quarter share repurchases. Highlights Net loss attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. was $172.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to net loss attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. of $175.5 million in the same period in the prior year. Resort Reported EBITDA loss was $139.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, which included $2.7 million of one-time costs related to the previously announced two-year resource efficiency transformation plan and $0.9 million of acquisition and integration related expenses, compared to a Resort Reported EBITDA loss of $139.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024, which included $1.8 million of acquisition and integration related expenses. Pass product sales through December 3, 2024 for the upcoming 2024/2025 North American ski season decreased approximately 2% in units and increased approximately 4% in sales dollars as compared to the period in the prior year through December 4, 2023 . Pass product sales are adjusted to eliminate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates by applying current U.S. dollar exchange rates to both current period and prior period sales for Whistler Blackcomb. The Company has made certain adjustments to its guidance for net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. primarily related to a gain recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2025, which impacted Real Estate Reported EBITDA. For fiscal 2025, the Company now expects $240 million to $316 million of net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. and reaffirmed its Resort Reported EBITDA guidance of $838 million to $894 million . The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.22 per share of Vail Resorts' common stock that will be payable on January 9, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 26, 2024 and repurchased approximately 0.1 million shares during the quarter at an average price of approximately $174 for a total of $20 million . Commenting on the Company's fiscal 2025 first quarter results, Kirsten Lynch , Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our first fiscal quarter historically operates at a loss, given that our North American and European mountain resorts are generally not open for ski season. The quarter's results were driven by winter operations in Australia and summer activities in North America , including sightseeing, dining, retail, lodging, and administrative expenses. "Resort Reported EBITDA was consistent with the prior year, driven by growth in our North American summer business from increased activities spending and lodging results. This growth was offset by a decline in Resort Reported EBITDA of $9 million compared to the prior year from our Australian resorts due to record low snowfall and lower demand, cost inflation, the inclusion of Crans-Montana, and approximately $2.7 million of one-time costs related to the two-year resource efficiency transformation plan and $0.9 million of acquisition and integration related expenses." Regarding the Company's resource efficiency transformation plan, Lynch said, "Vail Resorts continues to make progress on its two-year resource efficiency transformation plan, which was announced in our September 2024 earnings. The two-year Resource Efficiency Transformation Plan is designed to improve organizational effectiveness and scale for operating leverage as the Company grows globally. Through scaled operations, global shared services, and expanded workforce management, the Company expects $100 million in annualized cost efficiencies by the end of its 2026 fiscal year. We will provide updates as significant milestones are achieved." Turning to season pass results, Lynch said, "Our season pass sales highlight the compelling value proposition of our pass products and our commitment to continually investing in the guest experience at our resorts. Over the last four years, pass product sales for the 2024/2025 North American ski season have grown 59% in units and 47% in sales dollars. For the upcoming 2024/2025 North American ski season, pass product sales through December 3, 2024 decreased approximately 2% in units and increased approximately 4% in sales dollars as compared to the period in the prior year through December 4, 2023 . This year's results benefited from an 8% price increase, partially offset by unit growth among lower priced Epic Day Pass products. Pass product sales are adjusted to eliminate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates by applying an exchange rate of $0.71 between the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar in both periods for Whistler Blackcomb pass sales. For the period between September 21, 2024 and December 3, 2024 , pass product sales trends improved relative to pass product sales through September 20, 2024 , with unit growth of approximately 1% and sales dollars growth of approximately 7% as compared to the period in the prior year from September 23, 2023 through December 4, 2023 , due to expected renewal strength, which we believe reflects delayed decision making. "Our North American pass sales highlight strong loyalty with growth among renewing pass holders across all geographies. For the full selling season, the Company acquired a substantial number of new pass holders, however the absolute number of new guests was smaller compared to the prior year, driving the overall unit decline for the full selling season. New pass holders come from lapsed guests, prior year lift ticket guests, and new guests to our database. The Company achieved growth from lapsed guests, who previously purchased a pass or lift ticket but did not buy a pass or lift ticket in the previous season. The decline in new pass holders compared to the prior year was driven by fewer guests who purchased lift tickets in the past season and from guests who are completely new to our database, which we believe was impacted by last season's challenging weather and industry normalization. Epic Day Pass products achieved unit growth driven by the strength in renewing pass holders. We expect to have approximately 2.3 million guests committed to our 42 North American, Australian, and European resorts in advance of the season in non-refundable advance commitment products this year, which are expected to generate over $975 million of revenue and account for approximately 75% of all skier visits (excluding complimentary visits)." Lynch continued, "Heading into the 2024/2025 ski season, we are encouraged by our strong base of committed guests, providing meaningful stability for our Company. Additionally, early season conditions have allowed us to open some resorts earlier than anticipated, including Whistler Blackcomb, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Stevens Pass. Early season conditions have also enabled our Rockies resorts to open with significantly improved terrain relative to the prior year, including the opening of the legendary back bowls at Vail Mountain opening the earliest since 2018. Our resorts in the East are experiencing typical seasonal variability for this point in the year, with all resorts planned to open ahead of the holidays. We are continuing to hire for the winter season, and are on track with our staffing plans and have achieved a strong return rate of our frontline employees from the prior season. Lodging bookings at our U.S. resorts for the upcoming season are consistent with last year. At Whistler Blackcomb, lodging bookings for the full season are lagging prior year levels, which may reflect delayed decision making following challenging conditions in the prior year." Operating Results A more complete discussion of our operating results can be found within the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Company's Form 10-Q for the first fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2024 , which was filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following are segment highlights: Mountain Segment Mountain segment net revenue increased $0.8 million , or 0.5%, to $173.3 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily driven by an increase in summer visitation at our North American resorts as a result of improved weather conditions compared to the prior year, which generated increases in on-mountain summer activities revenue, sightseeing revenue, and dining revenue. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in lift revenue from our Australian resorts as a result of reduced visitation from weather-related challenges that impacted terrain and resulted in early closures in the current year, and a decrease in retail/rental revenue driven by the impact of broader industry-wide customer spending trends which negatively impacted retail demand, particularly at our Colorado city store locations. Mountain Reported EBITDA loss was $144.1 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 , which represents a decrease of $4.5 million , or 3.3%, as compared to Mountain Reported EBITDA loss for the same period in the prior year, primarily driven by our Australian operations, which experienced weather-related challenges that impacted terrain and resulted in early closures, as well as incremental off-season losses from the addition of Crans-Montana (acquired May 2, 2024 ), partially offset by an increase in summer operations at our North American resorts, which benefited from warm weather conditions late in the season. Mountain segment results also include one-time operating expenses attributable to our resource efficiency transformation plan of $2.0 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 , as well as acquisition and integration related expenses of $0.9 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Lodging Segment Lodging segment net revenue (excluding payroll cost reimbursements) increased $5.4 million , or 6.9%, to $83.8 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily driven by positive weather conditions in the Grand Teton region, which enabled increased room pricing and drove increases in owned hotel rooms revenue. Additionally, dining revenue and golf revenue increased each primarily as a result of increased summer visitation at our North American mountain resort properties. Lodging Reported EBITDA was $4.4 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 , which represents an increase of $4.6 million , as compared to Lodging Reported EBITDA loss for the same period in the prior year, primarily as a result of favorable weather conditions which drove increased visitation in the Grand Teton region and at our mountain resort properties. Lodging segment results also include one-time operating expenses attributable to our resource efficiency transformation plan of $0.7 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 . Resort - Combination of Mountain and Lodging Segments Resort net revenue was $260.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 , an increase of $5.9 million as compared to Resort net revenue of $254.3 million for the same period in the prior year. Resort Reported EBITDA loss was $139.7 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 , compared to Resort Reported EBITDA loss of $139.8 million for the same period in the prior year. Real Estate Segment Real Estate Reported EBITDA was $15.1 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 , an increase of $9.7 million as compared to Real Estate Reported EBITDA of $5.4 million for the same period in the prior year. During the three months ended October 31, 2024 , the Company recorded a gain on sale of real property for $16.5 million related to the resolution of the October 2023 Eagle County District Court final ruling and valuation regarding the Town of Vail's condemnation of the Company's East Vail property that was planned for Vail Resorts' incremental affordable workforce housing project, as compared to the same period in the prior year, during which we recorded a gain on sale of real property for $6.3 million related to a land parcel sale in Beaver Creek, Colorado . Total Performance Total net revenue increased $1.7 million , or 0.7%, to $260.3 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 as compared to the same period in the prior year. Net loss attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. was $172.8 million , or a loss of $4.61 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to a net loss attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. of $175.5 million , or a loss of $4.60 per diluted share, in the prior year. Outlook The Company's Resort Reported EBITDA guidance for the year ending July 31, 2025 is unchanged from the prior guidance provided on September 26, 2024 . The Company is updating its guidance for net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc., which it now expects to be between $240 million and $316 million , up from the prior guidance range of $224 million to $300 million . The primary difference is due to a $17 million increase from the gain on sale of real property related to the resolution of the October 2023 Eagle County District Court final ruling and valuation regarding the Town of Vail's condemnation of the Company's East Vail property that was planned for Vail Resorts' incremental affordable workforce housing project, a transaction that has been recorded as Real Estate Reported EBITDA. Additionally, the guidance is updated to include a decrease in expected interest expense of approximately $2 million which assumes that interest rates remain at current levels for the remainder of fiscal 2025. These changes have no impact on expected Resort Reported EBITDA. The Company continues to expect Resort Reported EBITDA for fiscal 2025 to be between $838 million and $894 million , including approximately $27 million of cost efficiencies and an estimated $15 million in one-time costs related to the multi-year resource efficiency transformation plan, and an estimated $1 million of acquisition and integration related expenses specific to Crans-Montana. As compared to fiscal 2024, the fiscal 2025 guidance includes the assumed benefit of a return to normal weather conditions after the challenging conditions in fiscal 2024, more than offset by a return to normal operating costs and the impact of the continued industry normalization, impacting demand. Additionally, the guidance reflects the negative impact from the record low snowfall and related shortened season in Australia in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, which negatively impacted demand and resulted in a $9 million decline of Resort Reported EBITDA compared to the prior year period. After considering these items, we expect Resort Reported EBITDA to grow from price increases and ancillary spending, the resource efficiency transformation plan, and the addition of Crans-Montana for the full year. The guidance also assumes (1) a continuation of the current economic environment, (2) normal weather conditions for the 2024/2025 North American and European ski season and the 2025 Australian ski season, and (3) the foreign currency exchange rates as of our original fiscal 2025 guidance issued September 26, 2024 . Foreign currency exchange rates have experienced recent volatility. Relative to the current guidance, if the currency exchange rates as of yesterday, December 8, 2024 of $0.71 between the Canadian Dollar and U.S. Dollar related to the operations of Whistler Blackcomb in Canada , $0.64 between the Australian Dollar and U.S. Dollar related to the operations of Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham in Australia , and $1.14 between the Swiss Franc and U.S. Dollar related to the operations of Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana in Switzerland were to continue for the remainder of the fiscal year, the Company expects this would have an impact on fiscal 2025 guidance of approximately negative $5 million for Resort Reported EBITDA. The following table reflects the forecasted guidance range for the Company's fiscal year ending July 31, 2025 for Total Reported EBITDA (after stock-based compensation expense) and reconciles net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. guidance to such Total Reported EBITDA guidance. Liquidity and Return of Capital As of October 31, 2024 , the Company's total liquidity as measured by total cash plus revolver availability was approximately $1,024 million . This includes $404 million of cash on hand, $407 million of U.S. revolver availability under the Vail Holdings Credit Agreement, and $213 million of revolver availability under the Whistler Credit Agreement. As of October 31, 2024 , the Company's Net Debt was 2.8 times its trailing twelve months Total Reported EBITDA. Regarding the return of capital to shareholders, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.22 per share of Vail Resorts' common stock payable on January 9, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 26 , 2024. In addition, the Company repurchased approximately 0.1 million shares during the quarter at an average price of approximately $174 for a total of $20 million . The Company has 1.6 million shares remaining under its authorization for share repurchases. Commenting on capital allocation, Lynch said, "We will continue to be disciplined stewards of our shareholders' capital, prioritizing investments in our guest and employee experience, high-return capital projects, strategic acquisition opportunities, and returning capital to our shareholders. The Company has a strong balance sheet and remains focused on returning capital to shareholders while always prioritizing the long-term value of our shares." Capital Investments Vail Resorts is committed to enhancing the guest experience and supporting the Company's growth strategies through significant capital investments. For calendar year 2025, the Company plans to invest approximately $198 million to $203 million in core capital, before $45 million of growth capital investments at its European resorts, including $41 million at Andermatt-Sedrun and $4 million at Crans-Montana, and $6 million of real estate related capital projects to complete multi-year transformational investments at the key base area portals of Breckenridge Peak 8 and Keystone River Run, and planning investments to support the development of the West Lionshead area into a fourth base village at Vail Mountain. Including European growth capital investments, and real estate related capital, the Company plans to invest approximately $249 million to $254 million in calendar year 2025. Projects in the calendar year 2025 capital plan described herein remain subject to approvals. In calendar year 2025, the Company will embark on two multi-year transformational investment plans at Park City Mountain and Vail Mountain. Park City Mountain – The transformation of Park City Mountain's Canyons Village is underway to support a world-class luxury base village experience. These investments will support Park City Mountain in welcoming athletes and fans from across the world who visit the resort as it serves as a venue for the 2034 Olympic Winter Games. As announced in September, we are replacing the Sunrise lift with a new 10-person gondola in partnership with the Canyons Village Management Association in calendar year 2025, which will provide improved access and enhanced guest experience for existing and future developments within Canyons Village. The Company also plans to enhance the beginner and children's experience by expanding the existing Red Pine Lodge restaurant to upgrade the dining experience for ski and ride school guests, and by improving the teaching terrain surrounding the Red Pine Lodge. These investments are further supported by the construction of the Canyons Village Parking Garage, a new covered parking structure with over 1,800 stalls being developed by TCFC, the master developer of the Canyons Village, which is expected to break ground in spring 2025. Planning of additional investments at Park City Mountain across the mountain experience is underway and additional projects will be announced in the future. Vail Mountain – In October 2024 , the Company announced the development of West Lionshead area into a fourth base village at Vail Mountain in partnership with the Town of Vail and East West Partners. The new base village will reinforce Vail Mountain's status as a world-class destination, and is anticipated to feature access to the resort's 5,317 acres of legendary terrain, plus new lodging, restaurants, boutiques, and skier services, as well as community benefits such as workforce housing, public spaces, transit, and parking. In addition, the Company is developing a multi-year plan to invest in base area improvements, lift upgrades, and across the beginner ski and ride school and dining experiences. In calendar year 2025, the Company is planning to renovate guestrooms and common spaces at its luxury Vail hotel, the Arrabelle at Vail Square. Additionally, in calendar year 2025 the Company plans to invest in real estate planning to develop the West Lionshead area. In addition to embarking on two multi-year transformational investment plans, the Company is planning significant investments across the guest experience in calendar year 2025, including: Andermatt-Sedrun – The Company plans to replace the four-person fixed grip Calmut lift and the four-person fixed grip Cuolm lift with two new six-person high speed lifts that will increase capacity and significantly improve the guest experience at the Val Val area. The Company also plans to upgrade and expand snowmaking infrastructure at the Gemsstock area on the western side of the resort to enhance the consistency of the guest experience, particularly in the early season, and significantly improve energy efficiency. In addition, the Company plans to complete the previously announced upgrade of the Sedrun-Milez snowmaking infrastructure and improvements to the Milez and Natschen restaurants. Through calendar year 2025, Vail Resorts will have invested approximately CHF 50 million of a total CHF 110 million capital that was invested as part of the purchase of the Company's majority ownership stake in Andermatt-Sedrun. Perisher – At Perisher in Australia , the Company plans to replace the Mt Perisher Double and Triple Chairs with a new six-person high speed lift, following the capital spending in calendar year 2024 that is continuing into calendar year 2025 to be completed in time for the 2025 winter season in Australia . Technology – The Company will be investing in additional new functionality for the My Epic App, including new tools to better communicate with and personalize the experience for our guests. Building on the pilot of My Epic Assistant, a new guest service technology within the My Epic App powered by advanced AI and resort experts, at four resorts for the upcoming 2024/2025 ski season, the Company is planning to invest in more advanced AI capabilities in calendar year 2025. Dining – The Company plans to invest in physical improvements to dining outlets at its largest destination resorts to improve throughput. Commitment to Zero – The Company plans to continue investing in waste reduction and emissions reduction projects across its resorts to achieve its goal of zero net operating footprint by 2030. Breckenridge – The Company is making real estate related investments to complete the multi-year transformation of the Breckenridge Peak 8 base area, where the Company has enhanced the beginner and children's experience and increased uphill capacity with the introduction of a new four-person high speed 5-Chair, new teaching terrain, and a transport carpet from the base, making the beginner experience more accessible. Keystone – The Company is investing in acquisition and build out costs for skier services that will reside in the newly developed Kindred Resort at Keystone, a family-friendly luxury ski-in, ski-out lodging residence and Rock Resorts-branded hotel at the base of the River Run Gondola, including new restaurants, a full-service spa, pool and hot tub facilities, and the new home for the Keystone Ski & Ride School, and a retail and rental shop. The Kindred development follows the transformational lift-served terrain expansion project in Bergman Bowl, increasing lift-served terrain by 555 acres with the addition of a new six-person high speed lift, which was completed for the 2023/2024 North American ski season. In addition to the investments planned for calendar year 2025, the Company is completing significant investments that will enhance the guest experience for the upcoming 2024/2025 North American and European ski season. As previously announced, the Company expects its capital plan for calendar year 2024 to be approximately $189 million to $194 million , excluding $13 million of incremental capital investments in premium fleet and fulfillment infrastructure to support the official launch of My Epic Gear for the 2024/2025 winter season at 12 destination and regional resorts across North America , $7 million of growth capital investments at Andermatt-Sedrun, $2 million of maintenance and $2 million of integration investments at Crans-Montana, and $3 million of reimbursable capital. Including these one-time investments, the Company's total capital plan for calendar year 2024 is now expected to be approximately $216 million to $221 million . Earnings Conference Call The Company will conduct a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. eastern time to discuss the financial results. The call will be webcast and can be accessed at www.vailresorts.com in the Investor Relations section, or dial (800) 579-2543 (U.S. and Canada ) or +1 (785) 424-1789 (international). The conference ID is MTNQ125. A replay of the conference call will be available two hours following the conclusion of the conference call through December 16, 2024 , at 11:59 p.m. eastern time . To access the replay, dial (800) 753-9146 (U.S. and Canada ) or +1 (402) 220-2705 (international). The conference call will also be archived at www.vailresorts.com . About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN ) Vail Resorts is a network of the best destination and close-to-home ski resorts in the world including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge , Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, and 32 additional resorts across North America ; Andermatt-Sedrun and Crans-Montana Mountain Resort in Switzerland ; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek in Australia . We are passionate about providing an Experience of a Lifetime to our team members and guests, and our EpicPromise is to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030, support our employees and communities, and broaden engagement in our sport. Our company owns and/or manages a collection of elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, a portfolio of vacation rentals, condominiums and branded hotels located in close proximity to our mountain destinations, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Retail operates more than 250 retail and rental locations across North America . Learn more about our company at www.VailResorts.com , or discover our resorts and pass options at www.EpicPass.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements discussed in this press release and on the conference call, other than statements of historical information, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the statements regarding fiscal 2025 performance and the assumptions related thereto, including, but not limited to, our expected net income and Resort Reported EBITDA; our expectations regarding our liquidity; expectations related to our season pass products; our expectations regarding our ancillary lines of business; capital investment projects; our calendar year 2025 capital plan; our expectations regarding our resource efficiency transformation plan; and the payment of dividends. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to risks related to a prolonged weakness in general economic conditions, including adverse effects on the overall travel and leisure related industries and our business and results of operations; risks associated with the effects of high or prolonged inflation, elevated interest rates and financial institution disruptions; unfavorable weather conditions or the impact of natural disasters or other unexpected events; the ultimate amount of refunds that we could be required to refund to our pass product holders for qualifying circumstances under our Epic Coverage program; the willingness or ability of our guests to travel due to terrorism, the uncertainty of military conflicts or public health emergencies, and the cost and availability of travel options and changing consumer preferences, discretionary spending habits; risks related to travel and airline disruptions, and other adverse impacts on the ability of our guests to travel; risks related to interruptions or disruptions of our information technology systems, data security or cyberattacks; risks related to our reliance on information technology, including our failure to maintain the integrity of our customer or employee data and our ability to adapt to technological developments or industry trends; our ability to acquire, develop and implement relevant technology offerings for customers and partners; the seasonality of our business combined with adverse events that may occur during our peak operating periods; competition in our mountain and lodging businesses or with other recreational and leisure activities; risks related to the high fixed cost structure of our business; our ability to fund resort capital expenditures, or accurately identify the need for, or anticipate the timing of certain capital expenditures; risks related to a disruption in our water supply that would impact our snowmaking capabilities and operations; our reliance on government permits or approvals for our use of public land or to make operational and capital improvements; risks related to resource efficiency transformation initiatives; risks related to federal, state, local and foreign government laws, rules and regulations, including environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; risks related to changes in security and privacy laws and regulations which could increase our operating costs and adversely affect our ability to market our products, properties and services effectively; potential failure to adapt to technological developments or industry trends regarding information technology; our ability to successfully launch and promote adoption of new products, technology, services and programs; risks related to our workforce, including increased labor costs, loss of key personnel and our ability to maintain adequate staffing, including hiring and retaining a sufficient seasonal workforce; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, including their integration into our internal controls and infrastructure; our ability to successfully navigate new markets, including Europe , or that acquired businesses may fail to perform in accordance with expectations; a deterioration in the quality or reputation of our brands, including our ability to protect our intellectual property and the risk of accidents at our mountain resorts; risks related to scrutiny and changing expectations regarding our environmental, social and governance practices and reporting; risks associated with international operations, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates where the Company has foreign currency exposure, primarily the Canadian and Australian dollars and the Swiss franc, as compared to the U.S. dollar; changes in tax laws, regulations or interpretations, or adverse determinations by taxing authorities; risks related to our indebtedness and our ability to satisfy our debt service requirements under our outstanding debt including our unsecured senior notes, which could reduce our ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures, future business opportunities and other purposes; a materially adverse change in our financial condition; adverse consequences of current or future litigation and legal claims; changes in accounting judgments and estimates, accounting principles, policies or guidelines; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2024 , which was filed on September 26, 2024 . All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. All guidance and forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forecast or forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Statement Concerning Non-GAAP Financial Measures When reporting financial results, we use the terms Resort Reported EBITDA, Total Reported EBITDA, Resort EBITDA Margin, Net Debt and Net Real Estate Cash Flow, which are not financial measures under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). Resort Reported EBITDA, Total Reported EBITDA, Resort EBITDA Margin, Net Debt and Net Real Estate Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for, measures of financial performance or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, we report segment Reported EBITDA (i.e. Mountain, Lodging and Real Estate), the measure of segment profit or loss required to be disclosed in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. Additionally, with respect to discussion of impacts from currency, the Company calculates the impact by applying current period foreign exchange rates to the prior period results, as the Company believes that comparing financial information using comparable foreign exchange rates is a more objective and useful measure of changes in operating performance. Reported EBITDA (and its counterpart for each of our segments) has been presented herein as a measure of the Company's performance. The Company believes that Reported EBITDA is an indicative measurement of the Company's operating performance, and is similar to performance metrics generally used by investors to evaluate other companies in the resort and lodging industries. The Company defines Resort EBITDA Margin as Resort Reported EBITDA divided by Resort net revenue. The Company believes Resort EBITDA Margin is an important measurement of operating performance. The Company believes that Net Debt is an important measurement of liquidity as it is an indicator of the Company's ability to obtain additional capital resources for its future cash needs. Additionally, the Company believes Net Real Estate Cash Flow is important as a cash flow indicator for its Real Estate segment. See the tables provided in this release for reconciliations of our measures of segment profitability and non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Reconciliation of Measures of Segment Profitability and Non-GAAP Financial Measures Presented below is a reconciliation of net loss attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. to Total Reported EBITDA for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023. Presented below is a reconciliation of net income attributable to Vail Resorts, Inc. to Total Reported EBITDA calculated in accordance with GAAP for the twelve months ended October 31, 2024. The following table reconciles long-term debt, net to Net Debt and the calculation of Net Debt to Total Reported EBITDA for the twelve months ended October 31, 2024 . The following table reconciles Real Estate Reported EBITDA to Net Real Estate Cash Flow for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023. The following table reconciles Resort net revenue to Resort EBITDA Margin for fiscal 2025 guidance. SOURCE Vail Resorts, Inc.
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Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Highlights Management Commentary Bill Brennan, Credo’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “In the fiscal second quarter ended November 2, 2024 Credo generated record revenue of $72.0 million, up 21% sequentially and 64% year over year. The second quarter was our most successful to date across our three main product lines and Credo delivered total product revenue of $69.1 million. For the past few quarters, we have anticipated an inflection point in our revenues during the second half of fiscal 2025. I am pleased to share that this turning point has arrived, and we are experiencing even greater demand than initially projected, driven by AI deployments and deepening customer relationships.” Third Quarter of Fiscal 2025 Financial Outlook Conference Call Credo will conduct a conference call on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time to discuss its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, ended November 2, 2024. Interested parties may join the conference call by registering online at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI87c69953bb554b49af7cc32591eee82a . After registering, a confirmation will be sent through email, including dial-in details and a unique conference call code for entry. It is recommended that participants register and dial in for the call at least 10 minutes before the start of the call. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on Credo’s Investor Relations website at http://investors.credosemi.com . A replay of the webcast will be available via the web at http://investors.credosemi.com . Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release contains references to the non-GAAP financial measures of non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP operating income (loss) margin, non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share. Reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to their comparable GAAP measures is included below. This non-GAAP information should not be construed as an alternative to the reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures that Credo presents may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies and other companies may not calculate such measures in the same manner as we do. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the effect of share-based compensation expenses, asset impairment and related charges (if applicable), and the related tax effect adjustment to the provision for income taxes. Credo uses a full-year non-GAAP tax rate to compute the non-GAAP tax provision. This full-year non-GAAP tax rate is based on Credo’s annual GAAP income, adjusted to exclude non-GAAP items, as well as the effects of significant non-recurring and period-specific tax items which vary in size and frequency. Credo’s non-GAAP tax rate is determined on an annual basis and may be adjusted during the year to take into account events that may materially affect the non-GAAP tax rate, such as tax law changes, significant changes in Credo’s geographic mix of revenue and expenses or changes to Credo’s corporate structure. GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated using basic weighted average shares outstanding when there is a GAAP net loss, and calculated using diluted weighted average shares outstanding when there is a GAAP net income. Non-GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated using basic weighted average shares outstanding when there is a non-GAAP net loss, and calculated using non-GAAP diluted weighted average shares outstanding when there is a non-GAAP net income. Non-GAAP adjustment for the number of shares used in the diluted per share calculations excludes the impact of share-based compensation expenses expected to be incurred in future periods and not yet recognized in the financial statements, which would otherwise be assumed to be used to repurchase shares under the GAAP treasury stock method. Credo believes that the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides important supplemental information to management and investors regarding financial and business trends relating to Credo’s financial condition and results of operations. While Credo uses non-GAAP financial measures as a tool to enhance its understanding of certain aspects of its financial performance, Credo does not consider these measures to be a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Consistent with this approach, Credo believes that disclosing non-GAAP financial measures to the readers of its financial statements provides such readers with useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP financial measures, allows for greater transparency in the review of its financial and operational performance. Externally, management believes that investors may find Credo’s non-GAAP financial measures useful in their assessment of Credo's operating performance and the valuation of Credo. Internally, Credo's non-GAAP financial measures are used in the following areas: Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the costs associated with the operations of Credo’s business as determined in accordance with GAAP. As a result, you should not consider these measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of Credo’s results as reported under GAAP. The exclusion of the above items from our GAAP financial metrics does not necessarily mean that these costs are unusual or infrequent. Forward-Looking Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, any statements regarding: launches of new or expansion of existing products or services; technology developments and innovation; our plans, strategies or objectives with respect to future operations; financial outlook; future financial results; expectations regarding the markets and industries in which Credo conducts business; and assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “can,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “targets” and similar expressions, or their negatives, may identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of results and should not be considered as an indication of future activity or future performance. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in this press release. Readers are encouraged to review risk factors and all other disclosures appearing in Credo’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 24, 2024, as well as Credo’s other filings with the SEC, for further information on risks and uncertainties that could affect Credo’s business, financial condition and results of operation. Copies of these filings are available from the SEC, Credo’s website or Credo’s investor relations department. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Credo assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date herein. About Credo Our mission is to deliver high-speed solutions to break bandwidth barriers on every wired connection in the data infrastructure market. Credo is an innovator in providing secure, high-speed connectivity solutions that deliver improved power and cost efficiency as data rates and corresponding bandwidth requirements increase exponentially throughout the data infrastructure market. Our innovations ease system bandwidth bottlenecks while simultaneously improving on power, security and reliability. Our connectivity solutions are optimized for optical and electrical Ethernet applications, including the 100G (or Gigabits per second), 200G, 400G, 800G and emerging 1.6T (or Terabits per second) port markets. Our products are based on our proprietary Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) technologies. Our product families include integrated circuits (ICs), Active Electrical Cables (AECs) and SerDes Chiplets. Our intellectual property (IP) solutions consist primarily of SerDes IP licensing. Investor Relations Contact: Dan O’Neil IR@credosemi.comOn December 19th, the retrial of the notorious case involving human trafficker Yu Huaying, also known as the "Yu Hua English Case," commenced with a second hearing. The case has garnered significant public attention due to its shocking nature and the involvement of influential individuals such as Yang Niuhua, a key witness and victim of human trafficking.
The partnership between White Jingting and Salomon marks a new chapter in the brand's journey towards becoming a frontrunner in the world of outdoor fashion. By teaming up with a high-profile and influential figure like White Jingting, Salomon is positioning itself as a leader in the industry, setting the bar high for other outdoor fashion brands to follow.
In conclusion, the return of Chris Evans as Captain America in Avengers 5 and his much-anticipated reunion with Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man have reignited the excitement and passion of Marvel fans worldwide. Their on-screen partnership is a symbol of friendship, sacrifice, and heroism that will continue to define the legacy of the MCU for years to come. Let's prepare ourselves for the epic adventure that awaits us in Avengers 5, as the Avengers assemble once more to save the world from whatever threats may come their way.After days of deliberation, the jury ultimately returned a verdict of not guilty, much to the shock and disappointment of many in the community. The decision sparked protests and renewed calls for reform in the criminal justice system, with critics arguing that the outcome of the trial reflected systemic biases and inequalities that disproportionately affect communities of color.
The severe punishments meted out by the court reflect the gravity of the crimes committed by the public officials and the teacher. Not only did they betray the public trust, but they also endangered the health and well-being of the community. The sentences serve as a strong warning to others who may be tempted to engage in similar illegal activities.Minor league pitchers Luis Moreno, Alejandro Crisostomo suspended after positive drug tests
Man leads police on chase and tumbling down an embankment
Curious to know more, I inquired about the process of creating and maintaining such a unique hairstyle. Zuo explained, "It took a lot of trial and error to get the look just right. I worked with my hairstylist to experiment with different techniques and products until we achieved the desired effect. As for maintenance, it's quite simple. I just need to style it in the morning and it stays in place throughout the day."Gold prices have been the focus of attention today as major retailers across the globe have experienced fluctuations in pricing. The overall trend seems to be downward, with investors closely monitoring the market for any potential shifts.
BEDFORD, Mass. , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT ), a leader in consumer robots, today announced that it granted an equity award as a material inducement to the employment of the company's newly-hired Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Jules Connelly . Notice of Issuance of Inducement Grant In connection with the appointment of Ms. Connelly as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer effective December 2, 2024 , iRobot granted Ms. Connelly an employment inducement award consisting of 120,000 time-based restricted stock units ("RSUs") with an effective grant date of December 6, 2024 . The RSUs will vest over a three-year period, subject to Ms. Connelly's continuous employment on each vesting date. The inducement award to Ms. Connelly was granted as a material inducement to her employment and was approved by iRobot's Board of Directors on November 4, 2024 , in accordance with Rule 5635(c)(4) of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. The award was granted outside iRobot's equity incentive plan. About iRobot Corp. iRobot is a global consumer robot company that designs and builds thoughtful robots and intelligent home innovations that make life better. iRobot introduced the first Roomba robot vacuum in 2002. Today, iRobot is a global enterprise that has sold more than 50 million robots worldwide. iRobot's product portfolio features technologies and advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping and navigation. Working from this portfolio, iRobot engineers are building robots and smart home devices to help consumers make their homes easier to maintain and healthier places to live. For more information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com . SOURCE iRobot Corporation
Seafood Market to Grow by USD 150.04 Billion (2024-2028), Report on AI's Impact on Market Trends and Rising Nutrition Awareness - Technavio
Tencent Video Limits Device Login for Members, LoveTy Teng Also Cracks Down on Account SharingTexas' abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. It appears to be the first challenge in the U.S. to a state shield law that's intended to protect prescribers in Democratic-controlled states from being punished by states with abortion bans. Prescriptions like these, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even after state bans started taking effect. Most abortions in the U.S. involve pills rather than procedures. Anti-abortion groups are increasingly focusing on the rise of pills. Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital’s historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has brought an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to two U.S. officials, who said Friday that Travis Timmerman has been flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter. The 29-year-old Timmerman told The Associated Press earlier Friday he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it 'absurd' NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers are again urging a judge to throw out his hush money conviction. In a court filing Friday, they balked at the prosecution’s “absurd” idea for preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit alleging sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Abdul filed a notice of settlement in a Los Angeles court Thursday. The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lythgoe said at the time that the allegations were “an appalling smear.” Both sides said in statements Friday that they were glad to put the case behind them.
Brendan Rodgers relishes writing Celtic success story against Rangers and why Hampden is the dream settingTitle: All Hail the National Idol! Lang Ping Celebrates her 64th Birthday, the Legendary Icon of Chinese Women's Volleyball, and Receives Blessings from the Olympics
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — In the rivalry showdown between No. 2 UConn women’s basketball and No. 8 Notre Dame on Thursday night, only one team played like a national championship contender, and it wasn’t the Huskies. UConn dropped its third consecutive meeting in the series with the Fighting Irish for the first time since 2013, suffering its first loss of the season, 79-68. A star-studded squad of Notre Dame alumni were in attendance to witness the upset including Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale and Connecticut Sun sharpshooter Marina Mabrey, who both were on the roster when the Irish won their most recent NCAA title in 2018. That run included a victory over UConn in the Final Four. A rowdy sold-out crowd at Purcell Pavilion fired chants of “overrated” at UConn’s Paige Bueckers as the Irish pulled away down the stretch. Notre Dame point guard Hannah Hidalgo logged a near triple-double in the win, drawing attention from NBA stars on social media including Ja Morant and Damian Lillard. For Bueckers and the Huskies, the stinging defeat was a reality check. “It’s a measuring point. Obviously we started out 8-0, played some pretty good teams and got some pretty good wins, but this exposed what we still need to continue to get better at and what we need to fix heading into another rough part of the schedule,” Bueckers said. “So we’ll just continue to learn and get better, not get complacent. Having these challenges early so we can continue to grow and get challenged, I think it’ll be better for the future.” While it was far from the only problem in UConn’s loss, it was apparent in the team’s 3-for-16 shooting from 3-point range: The Huskies desperately missed Azzi Fudd. Fudd’s return to the court from her ACL and medial meniscus tear last season was a slow process, but she hit her stride, going 4 for 7 beyond the arc with 18 points in 18 minutes for the Huskies in an 85-52 rout of Louisville last Saturday. But just as Fudd was beginning to shoulder some of the burden of leading the Huskies, the redshirt junior suffered a minor right knee sprain in the third quarter against the Cardinals that ruled her out for the rivalry showdown with the Irish and placed the weight squarely back onto Bueckers. The UConn superstar didn’t look like the dominant version of herself that hung 29 points on No. 14 North Carolina a few weeks ago, continuing a 3-point slump by going 0 for 4 against Notre Dame after she hit 1 of 6 in the previous win over Louisville. Bueckers still finished with 25 points — nearly double the Huskies’ next highest scorer — and shot 55% from the field with two steals, but she was held below her season averages in both assists and rebounds with the Irish forcing her off ball more than usual. “You’ve got to take some of the pressure off of Paige, and sometimes she’s her own worst enemy because she over-penetrates to try to get something in traffic and get to the free-throw line,” Auriemma said. “She makes it a little bit harder on herself than it has to be. But at the same time, if (teams are) going to play her the way they played her — which I think is what she’s going to see a lot of — we need other contributions. Paige is going to try to carry the team by herself when she thinks there aren’t enough of those contributions, and that’s not good for her and that’s not good for us. That’s on us as coaches. We need to do a better job of that.” Ashlynn Shade stepped back into a starting role, replacing Fudd after scoring 13 points off the bench against Louisville, but the sophomore couldn’t replicate the performance at Notre Dame, finishing 0 for 5 in just 21 minutes. After falling behind almost immediately in the first quarter, the Huskies found limited offensive production around Bueckers with 14 points from freshman Sarah Strong plus 11 from graduate transfer Kaitlyn Chen and 10 from sophomore KK Arnold. The offensive effort from the guards also cost the Huskies defensively. Chen and Arnold both struggled to keep up with Hidalgo, who knocked down open look after open look from 3-point range to finish 6 for 11 with 29 points plus 10 rebounds and eight assists. The Irish went 10 for 18 as a team from beyond the arc. To UConn’s credit, no active player on the roster had competed at Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion before Thursday, so the intensity of that atmosphere was a new experience. The Irish boast one of the most disruptive defenses in the country, averaging more than 12 steals per game, and the Huskies also ended up on the wrong side of a lopsided free-throw margin by taking just five attempts at the charity stripe to Notre Dame’s 14. But despite trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half, the inexperienced Huskies managed to muster a response. They outscored the Irish 24-17 in the third quarter and cut their deficit to as little as a point, but they ran out of answers after Hidalgo sent Notre Dame into the fourth quarter on a buzzer-beater 3-pointer that fired up the entire arena. “I think this was probably the first time we’ve trailed at halftime this season, so with such a young group there’s different things that present itself each and every game,” Bueckers said. “At halftime the game could have went two different ways. We could have quit, gave up, and they could have blown us out, or we could have responded to that challenge and fought back. I thought we did that, and then they went on another run, and we didn’t have a response after that. So just continuing to know basketball is a game of runs and continuing to grow in that, expect that, embrace that, and continue to stay poised and stay together.” It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see a rematch between the rivals in the NCAA Tournament this season, and UConn could look drastically different come March. Fudd’s most recent knee injury is expected to be short term, and the Huskies also hope to return sixth-year forward Aubrey Griffin by early January after she also suffered a season-ending ACL tear in 2023-24. Adding Griffin’s veteran presence in the post feels essential after redshirt sophomore Ice Brady and redshirt freshman Jana El Alfy combined for just eight points and five rebounds at Notre Dame, and Griffin brings a versatile athleticism that none of the team’s active forwards possess. Irish forward Liatu King dominated UConn on the boards Thursday with 12 rebounds plus 16 points, and she likely wouldn’t replicate that production matched up with a player like Griffin, who averaged 9.5 points, six rebounds and 1.5 steals before her injury last year. Bueckers has been open about her commitment to the ultimate goal of ending UConn’s eight-year NCAA championship drought in her final collegiate season. But the Huskies are still looking for what Auriemma describes as the “killer instinct” required to make a deep tournament run, and the team’s response to the rivalry loss will indicate whether this group has what it takes. The last time UConn dropped three straight games to Notre Dame was in 2013, and the Huskies went on to upset the Fighting Irish in the Final Four that year before beating Louisville to win their ninth national title. Losing to Notre Dame also gave UConn late-season motivation in 2023-24: Almost every member of the roster described the 82-67 defeat at Gampel Pavilion as their lowest moment of the season before the team embarked on an unprecedented Final Four run with just six players in the rotation. “We’ll take the loss as a lesson, but also use it as fuel,” Bueckers said. “Like, they beat us and they deserved to win. They played harder than us, and they wanted it more, which is what we can’t have as a team. So to continue to get better, (we’ll) watch the film, break it down, really take it to heart what they did to us and the loss that we had to continue to move forward.” ©2024 Hartford Courant. Visit courant.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In essence, the appeal of Qiong Yao dramas for the younger generation lies in their ability to transport viewers to a world where love is pure, emotions run deep, and happy endings are always possible. By embracing the romanticism and melodrama of these classic Taiwanese dramas, young people are finding a sense of comfort and emotional release in a fast-paced and chaotic world.ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Army football turned down an offer to join the American Athletic Conference several years ago, deciding that operating as an independent made more sense for the program. Given a second opportunity to become a football-only member of the American last year, amidst the changing landscape of college football with super conferences making scheduling very difficult for an independent and because the AAC offered a pathway to the expanded College Football Playoff, the West Point leadership did an about face and accepted. Army (11-1) introduced itself to the American Athletic Conference in impressive fashion by going unbeaten, steamrolling nine league opponents by an average score of 35-13. Quarterback Bryson Daily and company put a nice bow on their debut season by blowing out Tulane, 35-14, in the conference championship game. Coach Jeff Monken gave his troops 24 hours to celebrate then told them to refocus for the most important game of the season. “Obviously that was a big game Friday night and a great victory for our team. Winning a championship is certainly a source of pride for our program. But there is no bigger game in the world than this next one,” Monken said. “It’s been a good season. It doesn’t become a great season unless we win this game Saturday, which really is the measure of success for a service academy.” Monken looks back at 2021 when his Army team that had lost just three games was beaten by a Navy club that finished 4-8. “This rivalry is at the forefront of our focus for 365 days a year and this game is almost like a season of its own,” he said. “That’s the reality about the magnitude of this game. Even after 11 wins and a conference championship, this game is more important than any of that.” Army has 11 wins for only the second time in program history and can reach 13 by beating Navy, then Marshall in the Independence Bowl. The Black Knights are defined by a powerful rushing attack featuring Daily and fullback Kanye Udoh that leads the nation with 314.4 yards per game. Daily has run for 1,480 yards and 29 touchdowns, while Udoh has contributed 1,064 yards and 10 scores. The Black Knights do most of their damage between the tackles behind an offensive line consisting of five first or second team All-American Athletic Conference picks. “I can’t say enough about those guys. I knew coming in it was going to be a very special unit and they’ve been incredible all season,” Daily said of the Army offensive line. “They’re tough, they’re rugged and they’re aggressive.” Rules changes that eliminated cut blocking anywhere outside the tackle box have forced option offenses to reinvent themselves. Last season, Monken scrapped Army’s traditional triple-option in favor of putting the quarterback in shotgun formation and utilizing zone blocking schemes. After ranking 115th nationally in total offense, Monken reinstalled Cody Worley as offensive coordinator and reverted back to power option football. “Last year, we probably went too far away from what we had traditionally done. We just had to do a reset and find what fits our personnel and personality,” Monken said. “There’s elements of both worlds; some of what we did last season was a good investment. We’ve been able to use a number of things we did a year ago in our schemes this season.” Army does still operate out of shotgun and employ zone blocking at times, but the schemes as a whole fit the straight-ahead running style of Daly and Udoh. “This senior class had a lot of banked reps running this old-school, under-center triple-option offense. Running a whole new offense last season meant some adjustments,” Daily said. “I think having those reps in the gun last season has helped and complimented what we’re doing now.” Army boasts a highly efficient offense that does a remarkable job of staying on schedule and routinely setting up third-short situations. The Black Knights rank fifth nationally in fewest penalties and second in tackles for loss allowed (2.8 per game). No opponent traditionally defends Army better than Navy, which is intimately familiar with the option. The Midshipmen are giving up 159.8 yards per game on the ground. “This will be the biggest test for our offense. It always is because Navy makes it really challenging to execute with how well they know what we do,” Monken said. “Navy has a really good defense with a lot of talented players that are well coached. To be able to block them and execute offensively is going to be very difficult.” While the Army offense gets a lot of credit for the team’s success, the defense has held up its end of the bargain. Inside linebackers Andon Thomas (team-high 88 tackles) and Kalib Fortner (66 tackles, team-high 8 1/2 for loss) along with safety Max DiDomenico (52) lead a unit that ranks 11th nationally in rushing defense with just 104 yards per game allowed. This marks the first time Army’s defense will go against Navy’s new Wing-T offense installed by first-year coordinator Drew Cronic. Count Monken among the admirers of the attack that incorporates triple-option, run-pass option and pro-style elements. “Drew has steadily developed this offense and it’s very unique and different — a real break from what traditionally has been done at the academies,” Monken said. “You watch the film and guys are running wide-open on pass plays and ballcarriers are running untouched through huge holes. They’ve done a great job of spreading teams out, using misdirection, hiding guys and spreading the ball sideline to sideline, vertically as well. It’s just great play design.” This will be the 11th Army-Navy Game for Monken as head coach at Army and 17th overall since he spent six seasons as an assistant at Navy under Paul Johnson. He still gets goose bumps whenever he walks into the NFL stadium that is sold out and electric in terms of atmosphere. “This game is played on a worldwide stage and millions of people will be watching on TV. It’s a view into the U.S. Military Academy and our Corps of Cadets,” Monken said. We represent all the men and women that serve in the United States Army and that is a great sense of responsibility and obligation.” Monken said the Army-Navy Game is always a slugfest and that it’s like watching both sides take turns hitting each other with a sledgehammer. “This game is an absolute brawl from start to finish. The intensity displayed on every single play is indescribable,” he said. “I’m anticipating this will be another one that is blow-for-blow and at the end one team will be left standing.” 125th Army-Navy Game Saturday, 3 p.m. at Northwest Stadium, Landover TV: CBS Line: Army by 6 1/2 (c)2024 The Capital (Annapolis, Md.) Visit The Capital (Annapolis, Md.) at www.hometownannapolis.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. "I still got more to write this weekend for sure," said Dahmen, who recently had said his story is not yet over. "But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year." Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par 5s. He also was helped by Maverick McNealy, who opened with a 62 on the tougher Seaside course, making two bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 70. Fishburn, who already has locked up his card for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) going into the weekend. Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player who had to face Seaside on Friday who was among the top five. What mattered on this day, however, was far down the leaderboard. The RSM Classic is the final tournament of the PGA Tour season, and only the top 125 in the FedEx Cup have full status in 2025. That's more critical than ever with the tour only taking the top 100 for full cards after next season. Players like Dahmen will need full status to get as many playing opportunities as they can. That explains why he felt so much pressure on a Friday. He didn't make a bogey after his opening hole and was battling temperatures in the low 50s that felt even colder with the wind ripping off the Atlantic waters of St. Simons Sound. He made a key birdie on the 14th, hitting a 4-iron for his second shot on the 424-yard hole. Dahmen also hit wedge to 2 feet on the 16th that put him on the cut line, and from the 18th fairway, he was safely on the green some 40 feet away. But he lagged woefully short, leaving himself a testy 5-footer with his job on the line. "It was a great putt. I was very nervous," Dahmen said. "But there's still work to do. It wasn't the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us to halftime. But without that, and the way I played today, I wouldn't have anything this weekend." His playing partners weren't so fortunate. The tour put three in danger of losing their cards in the same group — Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen and Wesley Bryan (No. 125). The cut was at 1-under 141. Blair and Bryan came to the 18th hole needing birdie to be assured of making the cut and both narrowly missed. Now they have to wait to see if anyone passes them, which is typically the case. Thorbjornsen in a tie for fourth and Daniel Berger (66 at Plantation) in a tie for 17th both were projected to move into the top 125. Dahmen, indeed, still has work to do. Fishburn gets a weekend to see if he can end his rookie year with a win. "I've had a lot of experience playing in cold growing up in Utah, playing this time of year, kind of get used to playing when the body's not moving very well and you've got to move your hands," said Fishburn, who played college golf at BYU. "Just pretty happy with how I played." Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion and No. 5 player in the world competing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, bounced back with a 64 on Plantation and was back in the mix. Aberg played with Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore who looks like he belongs each week. Clanton, the No. 1 player in the world amateur ranking who received a sponsor exemption, had a 65 at Plantation and was two shots off the lead. Clanton already has a runner-up and two other top 10s since June. "Playing with him, it's pretty awesome to watch," Clanton said. "We were kind of fanboying a little it. I know he's a really good dude but to be playing with him and to see what he's done over the last couple years, it's pretty inspirational." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!