U.S. Ski Team News - Alpine

Ankle Sidelines Miller for Season

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (March 9) – After skiing with injuries nearly all winter, five-time Olympic medalist Bode Miller (Franconia, NH), who skied to an inspiring gold medal in the Olympic super combined, will miss the remainder of the season in order to focus on recouping his health.

"My ankle is still bothering me so I'm going to stay home and get treatment," said Miller.

Miller sustained a right ankle sprain in December while playing volleyball with teammates in Val d'Isere, France. After taking two weeks off from racing in late December and early January, Miller returned to the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup to notch his 32nd victory with a stunning super combined win at the famed Lauberhorn classic in Wengen, Switzerland. He then posted a top 10 at the punishing Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbuehel, Austria before battling his way through the Olympics with a historic gold-silver-bronze medal haul to lead the U.S. Ski Team with three of eight medals.

"My goal at the beginning of the season was to get ready for the Olympics and to win races in February," said Miller. "I just focused on that and I did that. If I wasn't injured, I would have a made a separate decision about going to World Cup Finals, but that's not the case. I feel like I accomplished everything I wanted to this season so it's nice to just be able to relax."

Miller has not yet decided on his plan for the 2011 World Cup season.

"The Olympics were a good experience but it's all been pretty positive in my career," he said. "I haven't made any decisions about next season. At some point, I'll sit down with Sasha [Rearick, U.S. Ski Team Head Coach] and see where we're at and what kind of program we can put together and I'll make a plan from there."

To find out more directly from Miller, check out his blog on www.UniversalSports.com.

Ganong Leads U.S. in Norway

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

KVITFJELL, Norway (March 7) - Canadian Erik Guay made a mark in his record book Sunday as he took the first World Cup super G win of his career in Norway. Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA) led the way for the U.S. finishing 28th.

Following Guay on the podium was Hannes Reichelt of Austria, who was second, and Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway in third.

The race marked a first for Ganong. After competing in only three World Cups so far during his career, Ganong landed himself in the World Cup points for the first time with his 28th place finish.

Only three U.S. athletes competed. Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) followed Ganong for U.S. results as he finished 31st, followed by Scott Macartney (Crystal Mountain, WA) who was 41st. Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) both skipped Kvitfjell to rest injuries.

Now, the U.S. men leave Norway for Germany where World Cup Finals will be held. The action starts on March 10 with men's and women's downhill, which fans can watch live along with the rest of World Cup Finals on UniversalSports.com.

Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) and Jimmy Cochran (Keene, NH) will represent the men's team during World Cup Finals with Ligety skiing in super G, giant slalom and slalom, while Cochran will race just slalom. Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) will also make his way to Garmisch to compete, but is nursing injuries and will decide at race time if he can compete. Ligety presently leads in the Audi FIS World Cup giant slalom and will be seeking his second series title.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 AUDI FIS WORLD CUP
Kvitfjell, Norway - March 7, 2010
Men's Super G

1. Erik Guay, Canada, 1:31.95
2. Hannes Reichelt, Austria, 1:31.97
3. Aksel Lund Svindal, Norway, 1:32.26
4. Tobias Gruenenfelder, Switzerland, 1:32.26
5. Mario Scheiber, Austria, 1:32.27
-
28. Travis Ganong, Squaw Valley, CA, 1:33.72
31. Steven Nyman, Sundance, UT, 1:33.90
41. Scott Macartney, Crystal Mountain, WA, 1:35.26
-
DNS: Marco Sullivan, Squaw Valley, CA
# # #

Vonn and Mancuso 2-3 in Super G

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland (March 7) - Olympic Champion Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and Olympic silver medalist Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) left their mark on Switzerland, going 2-3 in an Audi FIS World Cup super G on Sunday. Switzerland's Dominique Gisin won the race, marking the third World Cup win of her career.

The women racing in Switzerland had to face off against random gusts of strong wind that plagued the race in the Swiss Alps. According to Women's Alpine Head Coach Jim Tracy, had it not been for the conditions Vonn could have shaved even more time off her run.

"It was a really good course for her. Unfortunately Mother Nature wasn't cooperating and it was really gusty and irregular winds today," Tracy said. "She started off really well and got hit on the lower section with quite a large gust of wind. That was enough to slow her down, and that happened to a lot of people."

With the finish, however, Vonn now has a 245 point lead over Austria's Maria Riesch in the race for the World Cup overall title with only the four events of World Cup Finals left .

"All in all second place is great. It worked out pretty good," Tracy said. Vonn had already clinched the Audi FIS World Cup super G title before the Olympics.

The day marked the first time Mancuso has appeared on the podium of a World Cup in two years. According to her, it's good to have the momentum from the Olympics to carry her through the season.

"It was nice. I've been skiing well since the Olympics, so it's nice to go and do it in the World Cup, especially in super G. I'm just psyched to be able to put everything together in one run," Mancuso said.

Tracy couldn't have been happier to see Mancuso finish so strongly.

"This was great. I think it was a great result for her. It was so great to see her podium. It's a great way to end the regular World Cup season," Tracy said.

Now, with the team heading to Garmisch for World Cup finals March 9-14, Mancuso is hoping to seal up a few more podiums before the season's end.

"Skiing is going well and I think the snow conditions in Garmisch will be good for me too, it's a little more spring-like. I'm looking to finish the season with podiums," Mancuso said. "I just want to go out there and ski, and I'm feeling really good about my skiing so it makes a big difference just standing in the start gate and enjoying the whole process of it."

For Tracy, the approach of World Cup Finals is exciting during a season with great successes for his team.

"We've had quite a bit of success this year and it's so great to see the effort that the staff and athletes put in. We're just going to keep moving on, keep trying to improve and get everyone to move up," Tracy said.

Fans can catch the action in Garmisch live on UniversalSports.com beginning with men's and women's downhill on March 10.

The women qualifying for the U.S. at World Cup Finals will be Vonn, Mancuso, Alice McKennis (Glenwood Springs, CO), Stacy Cook (Mammoth Mountain. CO) and Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO). Both Vonn can race all disciplines, while Mancuso will race downhill and super G, Cook and McKennis will race downhill and Schleper will compete in the giant slalom and slalom.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 AUDI FIS WORLD CUP
Crans Montana, Switzerland - March 7, 2010
Women's Super G

1. Dominique Gisin, Switzerland, 1:24.14
2. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:24.29
3. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 1:24.52
4. Nadia Styger, Switzerland, 1:24.56
5. Ingrid Jacquemod, France, 1:24.74
-
31. Stacey Cook, Mammoth Mountain, CA, 1:26.12
32. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 1:26.20
33. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:26.24
37. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:26.61
# # #

Shiffrin Takes Second Win at Topolino

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

PANAROTTA, Italy (March 7) – For the second day in a row 15-year-old Mikaela Shiffrin (Vail, CO; Burke Mountain Academy) took a gold medal, winning the giant slalom during the 49th running of the Trofeo Topolino, the world's most prestigious children's ski race.

"This didn't come without a lot of hard work. I don't think it's really hit me yet," Shiffrin said. "These past two days have been beautiful and perfect conditions. All of the hard work paid off and it came at the right time."

Topolino is an important international event for young ski racers 11-15 years old, held annually in northern Italy. Past champions include recent Olympic medalists Lindsey Vonn and Andrew Weibrecht.

"People have told me that the U.S. athletes who have won at Topolino have also won an Olympic medal," Shiffrin said. "It's exciting for me to know that, but I also know that they've worked so hard since Topolino and it's going to be a bumpy road for me too."

Shiffrin, who is from Vail but trains at Burke Mountain Academy, became the first American to win a title since 2007 on Saturday, only to repeat her incredible win on Sunday in the giant slalom where she bested the field by a slim .11 seconds.

According to the winner, whose breakthrough came when she earned a medal in the Whistler Cup in the 2008 season, while winning was amazing, just the race itself was an award.

"The courses were great. They were rhythmical and you had to have good technique to be able to make it down with a clean run. It made you work hard and want it," Shiffrin said. "By the end of the day it was nice to win, but at the same time I went away thinking I really did the best I could do."

Shiffrin was followed on the podium by Adriana Jelinkova of the Netherlands in second, and Louise Jansson of Sweden in third.

Breezy Johnson (Victor, ID; Rowmark Ski Academy) followed Shiffrin for the U.S. in 30th.

In the men's field Miha Hrobat of Slovenia won, followed in second by Mathias Graf of Austria and Giacomo Rigamonti of Italy in third. Peter Papineau (Park City, UT; Park City Ski Team) led for the U.S. men finishing 22nd.

Complete Topolino Results are available online for women here and for men here.

Topolino Gold for Shiffrin

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

PANAROTTA, Italy (Mar. 6) – The 49th running of the Trofeo Topolino, the world's most prestigious children's ski race, opened Saturday with Mikaela Shriffrin (Vail, CO; Burke Mountain Academy) winning gold in the slalom.

Topolino is an important international event for young ski racers 11-15 years old, held annually in northern Italy. Past champions include recent Olympic medalists Lindsey Vonn and Andrew Weibrecht.

Shiffrin bested the international field by more than four seconds over two runs for a commanding win. She is the first American to win a title since 2007 and joins an elite list of only four past U.S. titlists at Topolino.

Sweden's Magdalena Fjaellstroem was second and Adriana Jelenikova from The Netherlands rounded out the podium.

After a week of training at Paganella in the Trentino Region of Italy, Team USA had its first taste of competition Saturday on the slopes of Panarotta with the men's and women's slaloms.

The rest of Team USA had a tougher time on the challenging courses set by Italian and Austrian trainers with no one else putting down two clean runs. The first women's course, which was also the second men's course, had distances between gates, ranging from eight to nine meters - something the USA athletes commented they were not familiar with it.

The USA Junior 3 athletes on the team include: Breezy Johnson (Victor, ID; Rowmark Ski Academy), Shiffrin, Kendall Vanhee (Edwards, CO; Ski and Snowboard Club Vail), Peter Papineau (Park City, UT; Park City Ski Team), Mitch Underhill (Plymouth, MN; Buck Hill Ski Team) and Peter Martens (East Aurora, NY; National Ski Academy).

Complete Topolino Results are available online at http://www.trofeotopolino.net/classifiche2009/SLAF.pdf.

Competition resumes Sunday with giant slalom for both men and women.

Cuche Wins in Norway

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

KVITFJELL, Norway (March 6) - Switzerland's Didier Cuche marked down his fifth World Cup victory this season on Saturday, winning the men's downhill in Norway. Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) led for the U.S. finishing 30th.

On the same day Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) locked up hers, Cuche solidified his ownership of the 2010 World Cup downhill title with his win in Norway.

Following Cuche in second was none other than Olympic champ Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway in second and Klaus Kroell of Austria in third.

Olympic super G bronze medalist Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) suffered a dislocated shoulder when he crashed. According U.S. Ski Team Medical Director Richard Quincy, the injury will take Weibrecht out for the remainder of the season.

It was an abbreviated U.S. Ski Team that competed Saturday on the 1994 Olympic course near Lillehammer where Tommy Moe won his famous Olympic gold and silver. Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) both sat the race out, nursing ailments from season-long racing.

The men will be back for more racing in Norway on Sunday when they compete in a super G. Fans can catch the action live on UniversalSports.com. World Cup Finals are on tap next week in Germany where Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) will look to hold onto his Audi FIS World Cup lead in giant slalom.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 AUDI FIS WORLD CUP
Kvitfjell, Norway - March 6, 2010
Men's Downhill

1. Didier Cuche, Switzerland, 1:45.98
2. Aksel Lund Svindal, Norway, 1:46.45
3. Klaus Kroell, Austria, 1:46.55
4. Hans Olsson, Sweden, 1:46.69
5. Andrej Sporn, Slovenia, 1:46.74
-
30. Steven Nyman, Sundance, UT, 1:47.69
40. Travis Ganong, Squaw Valley, CA, 1:48.47
48. Scott Macartney, Crystal Mountain, WA, 1:49.21
-
DNF: Andrew Weibrecht, Lake Placid, NY
# # #

Vonn Locks Third Straight Downhill Title

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland (March 6) - Olympic downhill gold medalist Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) locked up her third consecutive Audi FIS Alpine World Cup downhill title Saturday with her sixth win in the discipline this season. The victory also marks Vonn's 10th World Cup win this year to set a new American single season record. It also ties her with Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) with 32 career World Cup victories, the most of any American.

"I'm really happy with the whole season and it's nice to come back to the World Cup and end the season strong," Vonn said.

In her first World Cup race back from the 2010 Olympics where she took the gold in downhill and bronze in super G, Vonn marked off her third discipline title with the win.

"It's been a great season and I'm really happy with everything that's happened," Vonn said.

But, the downhill title did not come without a fight not only against a talented field of racers, but also the conditions presented by Mother Nature this weekend.

"It was a tough race out there today. There was a lot of changing weather conditions. Sometimes there would be a headwind, sometimes a tailwind, it was snowing really hard and there was a lot of new snow n the track. It was changing a lot from racer to racer," Vonn said.

According to the Olympic champ, the variable conditions made it difficult to know how she was doing during her race. It wasn't until she crossed the finish line that she saw where her skiing had landed her - in first.

But as the falling snow turned light, a bevy of talented young racers took full advantage of the conditions to attack from the later starting bibs. In the top five, only Vonn started inside the top 30 racers. Italy's Johanna Schnarf rocketed from bib 32 to second, missing the win by .01, while third place went to former Junior World Champion Marianne Abderhalden of Switzerland from bib 35. Slovenian Merusa Ferk landed 4th from the 42nd start postion followed by Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany from No. 37.

The onslaught ultimately bumbed Alice McKennis (Glenwood Springs, CO) out of what could have been a solid top 10 finish.

"I thought I had a good run. It was hard to tell sometimes because the track was so slow and a lot different than it was in the training runs, so I definitely didn't know how I skied until I crossed the finish line," Vonn said. "I'm really happy with how the day turned out and to have another win this season is awesome."

With another title waiting on the line for Vonn, who currently sits at the top of the overall World Cup standings, she hopes to be able to keep carrying her momentum through the end of the season.

"I'm going to keep things going through to finals and hopefully I can stay in the lead in the overall," Vonn said.

Staying on track for the overall title includes doing well in Sunday's super G in Switzerland, which Vonn hopes to do well in with a potential change for the better in weather conditions.

"I heard the weather is supposed to be better, but it's been interesting conditions so far, so I hope that we get a good race and that there is less wind than there has been in the last few days," Vonn said.

Adding to the excitement of the day, four other U.S. racers, led by McKennis in 12th, made their way into the World Cup points.

"I think the U.S. girls did a great job today. Everyone skied really well. Alice had a great result, as did the rest of the girls, and I'm very proud of the whole team," Vonn said.

The women race again Sunday in Switzerland during a super G. Fans can watch live at UniversalSports.com.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 AUDI FIS WORLD CUP
Crans Montana, Switzerland - March 6, 2010
Women's Downhill

1. Lindsey Vonn, Vail, CO, 1:35.26
2. Johanna Schnarf, Italy, 1:35.27
3. Marianne Abderhalden, Switzerland, 1:35.64
4. Marusa Ferk, Slovenia, 1:35.65
5. Viktoria Rebensburg, Germany, 1:35.87
-
12. Alice McKennis, Glenwood Springs, CO, 1:36.38
20. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:36.76
21. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:36.78
29. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 1:37.31
31. Stacey Cook, Mammoth Mountain, CA, 1:37.44
# # #

Vonn Unofficially Clinches Combined Title

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland (March 5) – Olympic downhill gold medalist Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) has unofficially clinched the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup super combined title Friday after the third and final race of the 2010 season was canceled due to high winds.

FIS officials confirmed Friday afternoon that there is no rule on the minimum number of completed World Cup races needed to award a discipline title. However, the FIS also indicated that an official determination will be made midweek when the FIS Council meets at the World Cup Finals in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

With 160 points tallied from a victory and a third in the only two super combined races staged this season, Vonn will close the year 10 points ahead of Sweden's Anja Paerson for what is likely to be her second World Cup title this season. Vonn, the Olympic super G bronze medalist, has already mathematically defended her World Cup super G title with podium finishes in all five races staged this season including wins in the last three.

"Obviously this isn't the way I wanted to win the title, but I will take it none the less," Vonn wrote on her Facebook fan page. "It's an outdoor sport and anything can happen. Sometimes these decisions go your way like in this case, and sometimes they don't – it's just part of our sport. Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow for the DH."

The original World Cup schedule for Crans Montana will remain as planned with a downhill Saturday followed by a super G on Sunday.

Vonn, the 2008 and 2009 World Cup overall and downhill champion, currently leads the 2010 standings in both with just six races remaining on the World Cup calendar, including two downhills.

Race action will stream live on www.UniversalSports.com.

Crans Montana Super Combi Canceled

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland (March 5) – World Cup overall leader and Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) will have to wait one more day for the tour's post Olympic restart as the women's super combined slated for Friday was canceled due to high winds.

Originally set for a 10 a.m. local time start for the downhill portion, the race was pushed four and a half hours before the jury ultimately made the call to cancel the race in hopes of safe race conditions for Saturday. The weekend schedule will remain as planned with a downhill Saturday, followed by a super G on Sunday.

With just two super combined races completed this season, it is likely the discipline title will go to Vonn, but an official decision must be made by the FIS councel next week at the World Cup Finals in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Vonn currently leads the standings by 10 points over Sweden's Anja Paerson. Austrian Michaela Kirchgasser is also in the title hunt, just 30 points shy of Vonn followed by teammate Elisabeth Goergl with a 50 point deficit.

Vonn, the Olympic bronze medalist in super G, also leads the World Cup downhill standings and clinched the super G title - her second in two seasons - prior to the start of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games with a victory in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

Also in the start gate for the U.S. Ski Team will be Olympicans Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA), Alice McKennis (Glenwood Springs, CO), Leanne Smith (Conway, NH), Chelsea Marshall (Pittsfield, VT) and Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR).

The races will stream live at www.UniversalSports.com.

Women's Super Combi Start Delayed

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

CRANS MONTANA, Switzlerland (March 5) - The start of Friday's Audi FIS Alpine World Cup women's super combined has been pushed back four and a half hours to 8:30 a.m. ET due to strong winds at the top of the downhill track.

Live streaming of the first post Olympic World Cup event will be available at www.UniversalSports.com.

Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), currently leads the World Cup standings for super combined moving into Friday's final race of the season for the discipline.

Vonn and DeGeneres Team to Help Haiti

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (March 5) – Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) has teamed with TV host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres to continue the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti by auctioning a signed pair of skis and poles on eBay.

The Head skis and Leki poles, which feature Ellen's face and Vonn's autograph, are up for grabs at www.ebay.com until 3:12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 9 with all proceeds from the auction benefiting the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund.

The equipment was gift to Vonn during her March 2 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show following her Olympic gold and bronze medals at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Vonn, in turn decided to donate the skis and poles to aide Haiti.

Earlier in the season, Vonn contributed her signed race bib from the Cortina d'Ampezzo World Cup to assist in the relief effort through an auction organized by teammate Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA). The bib sold on eBay for $8,600.

Currently, Vonn is wrapping up the Audi FIS Alpine World Cup season with the final two weeks of racing beginning this weekend in Crans Montana, Switzerland followed by World Cup Finals in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Vonn has mathematically clinched her second consecutive super G title and is also in the hunt for the super combined, downhill and overall crystal globes.

Race action is streamed live daily at www.UniversalSports.com.

Miller's Signed Olympic Helmet on eBay

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (March 4) – Five-time Olympic medalist Bode Miller (Franconia, NH), who captured a historic full compliment of medals in Vancouver is auctioning his signed Olympic helmet on eBay to help raise money for Pam Warman, a former U.S. Ski Team technician, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

The helmet, which was worn by Miller in the Olympic slalom, can be found at www.ebay.com and ends Wednesday, March 10 at 10:15 p.m. ET.

Warman, originally from Portillo, Chile tuned skis for the U.S. Ski Team from 2001-2006 including Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) and Bryon Friedman (Park City, UT). She now calls Lake Tahoe, CA home and spends her winters working with Sierra at Tahoe Resort and her summers landscaping with Pete Lavin (AKA Baby Huey), the long-time start house hype-man for the men's World Cup team.

"I started with the Development Team then moved up to the Europa Cup program," said Warman, who received her cancer diagnosis seven weeks ago following a routine mammogram. "I was working with Steven Nyman and Bryon Friedman when they got their first World Cup starts. I kind of became the mom for all these guys when they were younger."

"Bode has always been an extremely generous guy. I remember him buying U.S. Ski Team jackets for the Development Team a while ago," she recounted. "No one knew where they came from. Bode didn't want the credit, he just wanted to help out."

Along with Miller, Warman struck a particular friendship with Jake Zamansky (Aspen, CO), who began spearheading the auctions, which will also include items from Nyman, Friedman and three-time Olympic medalist Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA).

"Jake and I have always been really close because he and my oldest son share the same birthday, but all the guys know me really well," she said. "I just dropped them all a line asking if there was anything they could do to help and they immediately began putting things like this auction together."

"Pam is such a friend to so many members of our team," said Zamansky, a 2010 Olympian along with Miller and Nyman. "It was really easy for us to get moving on this. We are putting together what we can, but Bode's helmet was such a big item, we wanted to get that up right away. There will be more items that we'll auction down the line."

The auction closes Wednesday, March 10 at 10:15 p.m. ET. A separate fund raiser is planed for Warman at Sierra at Tahoe on April 13. The event will feature a dual giant slalom with current and former members of the U.S. Ski Team, plus an auction and live music by Friedman.

For more information, log on to http://pamwarman.webs.com/

TD Bank J2 JOs Underway

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

SUGARLOAF, ME (Mar. 3) – The TD Bank Alpine Junior 2 Olympics officially began on Wednesday at Sugarloaf, opening with the men and women's slalom. The top J2 athletes in the country have flocked to "The Loaf" for their chance at winning Junior Olympic gold. Sugarloaf will host four disciplines, downhill, super G, GS and slalom.

The TD Bank Junior Olympics are the highest level championships for junior ski racers nationwide with athletes qualifying at the divisional and regional level to earn spots.

The J2 Junior Olympics will wrap up with downhill races on Mar. 9. The winners of J2 Olympics will receive an automatic start in the U.S. Alpine Championships mid-March in Lake Placid, NY.

TD BANK ALPINE JUNIOR 2 OLYMPICS
Sugarloaf, ME

March 3
Men's and women's slalom

March 4
Women’s GS

March 5
Men’s and women’s super G

March 6
Men’s GS

March 7
Men’s and women’s downhill training

March 8
Men’s and women’s FIS downhill

March 9
Men’s and women’s downhill

Ross on Top in Aspen

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Mar. 1) - Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR) stood on top of the super G podium Monday in the final NorAm Cup race at Aspen before NorAm Cup Finals. Ross commanded the field by over a half second.

Ross clinched another NorAm Cup win. Katie Hartman (Breckenridge, CO) trailed Ross to take second. Lauren Samuels (Golden Valley, MN) rounded out the top three in third.

Kirsten Cooper (Eagle, CO) was just of the podium in fourth. Cooper was joined by four other U.S. athletes in the top 15.

Aspen hosted the last NorAm Cup series before NorAm Cup Finals. Burke, VT and Waterville Valley, NH will host the event Mar. 14 - 18.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
NorAm Cup
Aspen, CO
March 1, 2010
Women's Super G

1. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:18.51
2. Katie Hartman, Breckenridge, CO, 1:19.07
3. Lauren Samuels, Golden Valley, MN, 1:19.97
4. Kirsten Cooper, Eagle, CO, 1:20.08
5. Victoria Stevens, Canada, 1:20.17
-
7. Julia Ford, Plymouth, NH, 1:20.29
8. Brooke Wales, Sammamish, WA, 1:20.55
10. Anna Marno, Steamboat Springs, CO, 1:20.89
13. Abby Ghent, Edwards, CO, 1:21.27
DNF: Felicia Byers, Sandy, UT, Greta Byrne, Medford, NJ, Vanessa Berther, Bellevue, WA, Megan McJames, Park City, UT
# # #

McJames Crushses NorAm Field

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Feb. 28) - U.S. Alpine Ski Team and Olympic Team memeber Megan McJames (Park City, UT) crushed the field Sunday in Aspen's NorAm Cup super combined race. McJames was in second after the super G portion behind teammate Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR).

Ross was fierce in the first half of the super combined winning the super G by nearly a second. McJames laid down a solid run, placing herself in good position for the slalom. Julia Ford (Plymouth, NH) trailed Ross and McJames finishing third.

McJames laid down the fastest slalom run of the day clinching the super combined win. McJames was two seconds ahead of the field with Ford, the closest competitor, in second. Canada's Madison McLeish landed the third and final spot on the podium.

The women will race the final NorAm Cup race at Aspen on Monday.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
NorAm Cup
Aspen, CO
February 28, 2010
Women's Super G

1. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:15.70
2. Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 1:16.53
3. Julia Ford, Plymouth, NH, 1:17.71
4. Georgia Simmerling, Canada, 1:17.77
5. Kirsten Cooper, Eagle, CO, 1:18.48
-
6. Vanessa Berther, Bellevue, WA, 1:18.65
9. Brooke Wales, Sammamish, WA, 1:19.45
11. Abby Ghent, Edwards, CO, 1:20.25
12. Greta Byrne, Medford, NJ, 1:20.27
13. Katherine Ryan, Aspen, CO, 1:20.31
14. Shane Mclean, Steamboat Springs, CO, 1:20.42
DNF: Felicia Byers, Sandy, UT, Lauren Samuels, Golden Valley, MN, Anna Marno, Steamboat Springs, CO, Devin Delaney, North Conway, NH

Women's Super Combined

1. Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 2:02.72
2. Julia Ford, Plymouth, NH, 2:04.60
3. Madison McLeish, Canada, 2:07.37
3. Georgia Simmerling, Canada, 2:07.37
5. Stephanie Irwin, Canada, 2:07.47
-
6. Shane Mclean, Steamboat Springs, CO, 2:08.15
7. Brooke Wales, Sammamish, WA, 2:08.20
8. Mary Sackbauer, Vail, CO, 2:08.58
13. Avril Dunleavy, Salt Lake City, UT, 2:09.76
DNF: Kirsten Cooper, Eagle, CO, Greta Byrne, Medford, NJ, Vanessa Berther, Bellevue, WA, Felicia Byers, Sandy, UT, Lauren Samuels, Golden Valley, MN, Anna Marno, Steamboat Springs, CO, Devin Delaney, North Conway, NH
# # #

Smith Crowned U.S. Downhill Champ

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Feb. 27) - Leanne Smith (Conway, NH) was crowned the U.S. champion in downhill in Aspen Saturday. Smith edged out teammates Stacey Cook (Mammoth, CA) and Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR) for the win.

"The weather was great today. We were all really psyched on how it turned out," said Smith. "It was a good race and the snow was great."

Smith laid down a time of 1:38.24 to top the solid field made up of past U.S. champions, Olympians, and U.S. Ski Team memebers only three tenths ahead of Cook with Ross a mere two tenths shy of Cook for the final podium spot.

"My run was good," explained Smith. "i had mistakes here and there, but I'm skiing more consistent."

The top juniors were Anna Marno (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Lauren Samuels (Golden Valley, MN). Marno posted a top-10 result overall in ninth, followed by Lauren Samuels (Golden Valley, MN) in 14th.

Smith will take her win with her, as she heads into the latter portion of the 2010 World Cup season for motivation and confidence.

"Today was a confidence booster, said Smith. "I'm happy to be the U.S. champion, I have't done that yet. It's exciting!"

The remaining disciplines for U.S. Alpine Championships will be held at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, NY at the end of March.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
U.S. Alpine Championships
Aspen, CO
February 27, 2010
Women's Downhill

1. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 1:38.24
2. Stacey Cook, Mammoth, CA, 1:38. 54
3. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 1:38.73
4. Alice McKennis, Glenwood Springs, CO, 1:39.11
5. Chelsea Marshall, Pittsfield, VT, 1:39.59
-
7. Julia Ford, Plymouth, NH, 1:40.59
8. Keely Kelleher, Big Sky, MT, 1:40.71
9. Anna Marno, Steamboat Springs, CO, 1:40.91
14. Lauren Samuels, Golden Valley, MN, 1:42.25
15. Kirsten Cooper, Eagle, CO, 1:42.50
# # #

Italy's Razzoli Wins Slalom Gold

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

WHISTLER CREEKSIDE, BC (Feb. 27) – Italy's Giuliano Razzoli survived a blazing second run from Croatia's Ivica Kostelic to win gold in Saturday's Olympic slalom. Nolan Kasper (Warren, VT) put down a solid first run and an even better second effort to land 24th, an impressive showing from a 20-year-old in his first Olympic event.

Kasper, who raced for the first time on the World Cup in November, was 29th after the first run and had the 23rd-ranked second run to reach a pre-race goal of finishing top 30. He said nerves were not an issue in his first time racing on the sports biggest stage.

"It's just skiing, plain and simple," Kasper said. "I've been to an Olympics, and that's a big accomplishment. I'm excited to be here."

Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) and Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) both made early mistakes and went off course in the first run under tricky conditions that tripped up many of the field's skiers.

"I made a mistake off the top and I was just pushing hard then that next little face, there was a really quick hairpin, and I just wasn't on top of my skis enough and maybe going a little too straight and carrying too much heat to make it cleanly," Ligety said.

"That's the way slalom goes," Miller said. "When you take risks in slalom, you don't only take risks on the bottom half. You take it from the very first gate, and if you don't, you can give away a tenth of a second on the first two gates."

Miller – owner of downhill bronze, super G silver, and super combined gold - said a DNF in slalom doesn't make the Olympic experience any less sweet for him.

"I really couldn't be much happier," he said. "To have three medals, and the two medals I didn't get I skied hard. I came out, I was ready, I was prepared that's all the stuff you can do."

Asked if the U.S. Alpine Team would have taken eight medals before the Games, U.S. Head Coach Sasha Rearick said he's proud of the winning performances, but there are no plans to rest on their laurels.

"We're already looking at what we're going to do to get better," Rearick said. "We're very grateful for the great results, but at the same time, we still need to go up and go to work."

The U.S. Team will stop in Kvitfjell, Norway for World Cup races next weekend before the World Cup Finals in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
Whistler Creekside, BC – Feb. 27
Men's Slalom

Gold – Giuliano Razzoli, Italy, 1:39.32
Silver – Ivica Kostelic, Croatia, 1:39.48
Bronze – Andre Myhrer, Sweden, 1:39.76
4. Benjamin Raich, Austria, 1:39.81
5. Marcel Hirscher, Austria, 1:40.20
-
24. Nolan Kasper, Warren, VT, 1:43.17
DNF 2 – Jimmy Cochran, Keene, NH
DNF 1 – Bode Miller, Franconia, NH; Ted Ligety, Park City, UT
###

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Ganong Clinches U.S. Downhill Title

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Feb. 27) - Travis Ganong (Olympic Valley, CA) clinched the U.S. Alpine Championships downhill title on Saturday morning in Aspen. Ganong topped an impressive field of U.S. Ski Team members and Olympians including Steven Nyman (Sundane, UT), who finished second.

For the past several days, Aspen has been hosting NorAm Cup speed races with great weather and snow conditions. After holding several training runs and a pair of NorAm races on the hill, the course held up for the racers to compete for the downhill title.

"The weather was great, a little overcast but good visibility," said Ganong. "The track was amazing. It was super smooth, really good conditions."

Ganong, as well as the rest of the field, used the NorAm Cup training runs and races as valualbe time on the track before Saturday's title showdown.

"Every run you go down the hill, you get more comfortable with the track," said Ganong. "Every run helps."

Ganong edged out Nyman by a mere four hundredths, crowning him the 2010 U.S. downhill champion. Canada's Jan Hudec snuck into third, grabbing the final spot on the podium. Will Brandenburg (Spokane, WA) fresh off an impressive 11th in the Olympic super combined, and Chris Beckmann (Guildlander, NY) rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth.

The top juniors were Brennan Rubie (Salt Lake City, UT) and Ben Morse (Carabbassett Valley, ME). Rubie finished 19th overall followed by Morse in 23.

Ganong, along with many of the U.S. Alpine Ski Team members, will be heading to Europe for World Cup races within the next couple of days. Ganong hopes to carry his success across the ocean for the races in Norway.

"As far as confidence goes, I came into the season as an invitee and just had a lot of motivation to fire my skiing, which really helped me to get to where I am now, " explained Ganong. "Hopefully my confidence can carry over from here to there."

Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, NY will host the remaining disciplines for the U.S. Alpine Championships' at the end of March.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
U.S. Alpine Championships
Aspen, CO
February 27, 2010
Men's Downhill

1. Travis Ganong, Olympic Valley, CA, 1:35.67
2. Steven Nyman, Sundance, UT, 1:35.71
3. Jan Hudec, Canada, 1:35.81
4. Will Bradenburg, Spokane, WA, 1:36.40
5. Chris Beckmann, Guildlander, NY, 1:36.54
-
9. Scott Macartney, Crystal Mountain, WA, 1:37.10
12. Joe Swensson, Niantic, CT, 1:37.51
14. Colby Granstrom, Lake Stevens, WA, 1:37.95
DNF: Nick Daniels, Tahoe City, CA, Will Gregorak, Longmont, CO
# # #

Weibrecht Parades Through Lake Placid

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

LAKE PLACID, NY (Feb. 27) – Andrew Weibrecht brought his medal back to his hometown in settings befitting a hard-charging super G bronze medalist: riding atop a fire truck in a snowstorm along a jam packed Main Street in the Olympic village of Lake Placid.

"It's great to be home," Weibrecht told the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. "It's crazy to think somebody wants to honor me, but it's been awesome to get all this support and excitement from my hometown. That's what has made this whole experience so cool to me."

Lake Placid officials and dignitaries marched along with the high school marching band and ski club, carrying large banners to hail Weibrecht and nordic combined large hill gold medalist Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY).

The parade ended at Mirror Lake Inn's Cottage Café, owned by Weibrecht's parents, where they served pints of "Warhorse." Local officials declared it "Andrew Weibrecht Day" in Lake Placid, and Gov. David Paterson and Congressman Bill Owens sent letters of congratulations.

Weibrecht said that growing up in a town that has hosted two Olympics – 1932 and 1980 - played a major role in his winning bronze.

"It got me into skiing, at Olympic venues, from a very early age," Weibrecht said. "There's just such a spirit about the town and the support everybody has towards athletics is great."

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Ganong Wins NorAm Downhill

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Feb. 26) - Travis Ganong (Olympic Valley, CA) set the the pace on Friday in Aspen's NorAm Cup men's downhill. Ganong was joinded by fellow U.S. racer Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) on the podium.

Ganong was fast out of the gate, beating Canada's Jan Hudec by three tenths for the win. Nyman trailed Hudec by almost four tenths to take the third and final spot on the podium.

Will Gregorak (Longmont, CO) had a solid race wrapping up the day in fifth. Three other Americans pushed into the top 15.

Aspen will host the downhill portion of the 2010 U.S. Alpine Championships on Saturday.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
NorAm Cup
Aspen, CO
February 26, 2010
Men's Downhill

1. Travis Ganong, Olympic Valley, CA, 1:37.50
2. Jan Hudec, Canada, 1:37.80
3. Steven Nyman, Sundance, UT, 1:38.21
4. Pierre-Louis Helie, Canada, 1:38.78
5. Will Gregorak, Longmont, CO, 1:38.82
-
7. Chris Frank, Windham, NY, 1:39.44
10. Scott Macartney, Crystal Mountain, WA, 1:39.91
13. Wiley Maple, Aspen, CO, 1:40.07
DNF: Will Bradenburg, Spokane, WA
# # #