U.S. Ski Team News - Disabled

Adaptive XC Team Ready for Vancouver

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK, BC (Mar. 9) – The U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Team is heading up to the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver fresh with a break from competition. The Adaptive Cross Country Team is strong heading into competition after successful training leading up to the Winter Games. The first day of cross country competition is scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 14.

"Everyone prepared the way that would help them the best, some of those people prepared at home with their families and some of those people went to the places that they've done well in the past," said Head Adaptive Cross Coach Greg Rawlings. "Everyone prepared themselves in a comfortable environment that would be positive and healthy."

Heading the U.S. Adaptive Team push for gold will be Chris Klebl (Heber City, UT), Andy Soule (Pearland, TX) and Sean Halsted (Spokane, WA), all of whom have been inside the top 10 on several occasions during the World Cup circuit. Klebl's specialty is the distance races, while Soule and Halsted shine in the sprints.

"Chris is a studied athlete, he knows the game and he spends a lot of time getting ready for it," said Rawlings. "Andy's really fast and could be a big threat in the sprint and Sean's proved to be great over the last couple of years in the sprint races."

Greg Mallory (Portland, OR) could also be a potential threat in the sprint race. Mallory is coming in strong after winning the U.S. Cross Country Championships sprint qualifier race.

"The goal is to get two guys into the finals," said Rawlings. "Then we'll go from there."

The Team will compete in five days of competition spread out through the 11 day event. Opening Ceremonies will be held on Friday, Mar. 12.

PARALYMPIC CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE
Whistler Olympic Park, BC

March 14
Men's sitting 15K
Women's sitting 10K

March 15
Women's standing and visually impaired 1.5 K FR

March 18
Men's 10K CL
Women's 5K CL

March 21
Men's and women's 1K sprint

U.S. 3 Globes, Nation's Cup in 1 Day

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Mar. 5) – The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team took home three globes on Friday, two super G and one overall. Danelle Umstead (Taos, NM; visually impaired) won two and Alana Nichols (Farmington, NM; sit-ski) won one. USA also clinched the Nation’s Cup.

Friday’s super G was the last World Cup of the season, winners included Germany’s Martin Braxenthaler and Laurie Stephens (Wenham, MA; sit-ski) in the sitting, Germany’s Gerd Schoenfelder and France’s Solene Jambaque in the standing and Spain’s Jon Santacana and Umstead in the visually impaired classification.

Tyler Walker (Franconia, NH; sit-ski) and Mark Bathum (Seattle, WA; visually impaired) were the top male U.S. finishers in seventh. Nichols followed Stephens in third, while Caitlin Sarubbi (Brooklyn, NY; visually impaired) trailed Umstead in second for her first World Cup podium. Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) ended World Cup Finals with another solid podium finish in second.

“Our staff is extremely proud of the way our team has fought through the entire season,” said U.S. Adaptive Alpine Head Coach Ray Watkins. “It was a rough start and now we have a lot of momentum, a lot of charging, the perfect build up for Vancouver.”

The Adaptive Alpine Team left World Cup Finals on a high note with two of its Team members taking home overall title globes. Nichols added the super G globe to her resume, after winning the downhill globe earlier in the week. Umstead clinched the super G globe as well, along with the coveted overall globe.

"We got the globe today! We are just so honored,” said Umstead. “It was a lot of hard work and the hard work paid off."

The 2010 winter season was both Nichols and Umstead’s first full World Cup season. These two World Cup rookies accumulated a total of four out of the five the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team won. Joe Tompkins (Juneau, AK; sit-ski) clinched the overall downhill globe with Nichols earlier in the week.

“Finishing out the World Cup season strong and getting three globes on the final day is spectacular,” said Assistant Adaptive Alpine Coach Ian Garner.

Adding to the five globes won, the USA took home the Nation’s Cup after the conclusion of Friday’s race. The Nation’s Cup is awarded to the nation with the most World Cup points.

“The biggest thing is we all worked as a team to get the nations cup,” explained Garner. “The Development Team, Challenge Aspen, National Sport Center for Disabled Team and the U.S. Team really pulled together for the Nations Cup.”

The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team will head to Vancouver on Saturday for the Paralympics. The Team hopes to carry the momentum and success from World Cup Finals into Vancouver. Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games is on March 12, with the first alpine race on March 13.

“I'm extremely proud of our athletes. Just the way they never give up, that's what the USA is all about,” said Watkins. “We're all really excited to take this momentum up to Vancouver and keep it going."

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Aspen, CO
March 5, 2010
Super G

Men's Sitting

1. Martin Braxenthaler, Germany, 1:11.70
2. Taiki Morii, Japan, 1:13.19
3. Sean Rose, Great Britain, 1:13.44
4. Takeshi Suzuki, Japan, 1:13.48
5. Nicolas Loussalez, France, 1:14.12
-
7. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 1:15. 40
9. Heath Calhoun, Winter Park, CO, 1:15.70
10. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:16.07
11. Joe Tompkins, Juneau, AK, 1:16.17
22. Scott Meyer, Frisco, CO, 1:21.28
DNF: Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH

Men's Standing

1.Gerd Schoenfelder, Germany, 1:15.88
2. Robert Muesburger, Austria, 1:16.10
3. Hubert Mandl, Austria, 1:16.19
4. Vincent Gauthier-Manuel, France, 1:16.24
5. Hiraku Misawa, Japan, 1:16.68
-
13. George Sansonetis, Fraser, CO, 1:20.09
18. John Whitney, Towson MD, 1:21.06
19. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:21.04

Men's Visually Impaired

1. Jon Santacana, Spain, 1:10.23
2. Jakub Krako, Slovakia, 1:12.48
3. Gerd Gradwohl, Germany, 1:14.02
4. Gabriel Gorce, Spain, 1:14.37.
5. Michal Beladic, Slovakia, 1:14.40
-
7. Mark Bathum, Seattle, WA, 1:16.01

Women's Sitting

1. Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA, 1:16.53
2. Claudia Loesch, Austria, 1:19.00
3. Alana Nichols, Farmington, NM, 1:19.07
4. Tatsuko Aoki, Japan, 1:22.80

Women's Standing

1. Solene Jambaque, France, 1:18.81
2. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:21.06
3. Marie Bochet, France, 1:21.84
4. Melania Corradini, Italy, 1:22.51
5. Andrea Rothfuss, Austria, 1:22.59

Women's Visually Impaired

1. Danelle Umstead, Taos, NM, 1:24.57
2. Caitlin Sarubbi, Brooklyn, NY, 1:28.99
3. Anna Cohi, Spain, 1:29.64
# # #

U.S. Scores 3 Podiums

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Mar. 4) – The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team was on fire Thursday competing in two races, the super G and the super combined. Mark Bathum (Seattle, WA; visually impaired), Danelle Umstead (Taos, NM; visually impaired) and Alana Nichols (Farmington, NM; sit-ski) all landed on the podium.

"It was great they scored it as a super G and a super combined," said Assistant Alpine Adaptive Coach Ian Garner. "We had some people do really well in the super G."

Bathum stood on the podium again in the super G, making it three podiums in the first three races. Unfortunately, Bathum struggled to finish the slalom portion of the super combined. Tyler Walker (Franconia, NH; sit-ski) and Chris Devlin-Young (Campton, NH; sit-ski) were just shy of the super G podium, finishing in fourth and fifth.

The winner's of the men's super G included Germany's Martin Braxenthaler and Gerd Schoenfelder in the sitting and standing classification and France's Nicolas Berejny in the visually impaired classification.

Umstead and Nichols were strong, both taking the super G win. The conclusion of the super G run marked Umstead's first World Cup win. The standing classification was won by France's Solene Jambaque with Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) in third.

In the super combined, the men's winners didn't change. The women's winners were Japan's Tatsuko Aoki in the sitting, France's Solene Jambaque in standing and Spain's Anna Cohi in visually impaired. Umstead was bumped back to second, while Nichols and Jones took home third.

Devlin-Young was the top U.S. male skier in fifth followed by Carl Burnett (Winter Park, CO; sit-ski) in sixth. Ralph Green (Vail, CO; standing) made up significant time in the slalom moving up from 18th after the super G to finish in ninth overall.

"Ralph Green had a smoking slalom run and made up a lot of ground," said Garner.

World Cup finals will end on Friday with the super G.

"It was beautiful, another great day for us," said Garner. "We're just hoping to continue this in to the last day of World Cups tomorrow."

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Aspen, CO
March 4, 2010
Super G

Men Sitting

1. Martin Braxenthaler, Germany, 1:08.16
2. Taiki Morii, Japan, 1:09.31
3. Takeshi Suzuki, Japan, 1:10.12
4. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 1:10.24
5. Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, 1:10.45
-
11. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:13.00
16. Erik Bayindirli, Deer Mountain, UT, 1:17.99
17. Scott Meyer, Frisco, CO, 1:18.56
DNF: Heath Calhoun, Aspen, CO, Nick Catanzarite, Winter Park, CO, Joe Tompkins, Juneau, AK

Men Standing

1. Gerd Schoenfelder, Germany, 1:10.17
2. Thomas Pfyl, Switzerland, 1:10.74
3. Robert Muesburger, Austria, 1:11.30
4. Toby Kane, Australia, 1:11.35
5. Vincent Gauthier-Manuel, France, 1:11.94
-
16. John Whitney, Towson, MD, 1:15.67
18. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:16.70
DNF: George Sansonetis, Leadville, CO

Men Visually Impaired

1. Nicolas Berejny, France, 1:07.45
2. Mark Bathum, Seattle, WA, 1:08.56
3. Jon Santacana, Spain, 1:09.90
4. Jakub Krako, Slovakia, 1:10.40
5. Gabriel Gorce, Spain, 1:11.58

Women Sitting

1. Alana Nichols, Farmington, NM, 1:16.07
2. Tatsuko Aoki, Japan, 1:23.93
3. Claudia Loesch, Germany, 1:36.32
DNF: Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA

Women Standing

1. Solene Jambaque, France, 1:13.60
2. Marie Bochet, France, 1:16.70
3. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:17.87
4. Melania Corradini, Italy, 1:18.74
5. Andrea Rothfuss, Germany, 1:19.29

Women Visually Impaired

1. Danelle Umstead, Taos, NM, 1:21.65
2. Melissa Perrine, Australia, 1:24.70
3. Anna Cohi, Spain, 1:26.69
4. Anna Kuliskova, Czech Republic, 1:27.79
5. Caitlin Sarubbi, Brooklyn, NY, 1:28.08

Super Combined
Men Sitting

1. Martin Braxenthaler, Germany, 1:51.74
2. Takeshi Suzuki, Japan, 1:53.40
3. Taiki Morii, Japan, 1:58.21
4. Yohann Taberlet, France, 1:59.67
5. Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, 2:00.02
-
6. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 2:00.10
10. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 2:07.24
11. Erik Bayindirli, Deer Mountain, UT, 2:07.68
12. Scott Meyer, Frisco, CO, 2:09.33
DNF: Heath Calhoun, Aspen, CO, Nick Catanzarite, Winter Park, CO, Joe Tompkins, Juneau, AK

Men Standing

1. Gerd Schoenfelder, Germany, 1:53.75
2. Robert Muesburger, Austria, 1:56.38
3. Toby Kane, Australia, 1:56.44
4. Hubert Mandl, Austria, 1:57.73
5. Hiraku Misawa, Japan, 1:59.74
-
9. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 2:02.59
13. John Whitney, Towson, MD, 2:05.88
DNF: George Sansonetis, Leadville, CO

Men Visually Impaired

1. Nicolas Berejny, France, 1:52.39
2. Gianmaria Dal Maistro, Italy, 1:55.32
3. Norbert Holik, Slovakia, 2:00.21
4. Michal Beladic, Slovakia, 2:00.54
5. Andreas Boira, Spain, 2:05.30
-
DNF: Mark Bathum, Seattle, WA

Women Sitting

1. Tatsuko Aoki, Japan, 2:19.14
2. Claudia Loesch, Austria, 2:26.01
3. Alana Nichols, Farmington, NM, 3:40.06
-
DNF: Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA
DNS: Caitlin Sarubbi, Brooklyn, NY

Women Standing

1. Solene Jambaque, France, 2:03.14
2. Marie Bochet, France, 2:04.39
3. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 2:04.90
4. Andrea Rothfuss, Germany, 2:05.91
5. Iveta Chlebakova, Slovakia, 2:14.92

Women Visually Impaired

1. Anna Cohi, Spain, 2:16.26
2. Danelle Umstead, Taos, NM, 2:16.51
3. Melissa Perrine, Australia, 2:23.39
4. Anna Kuliskova, Czech Republic, 2:44.82
# # #

Paralympic Team Named

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

VANCOUVER, BC (Mar. 3) - Paralympic gold medalists Allison Jones (Colorado Springs, CO), Chris Devlin-Young (Campton, NH) and Stephani Victor (Park City, UT) highlight a group of 30 athletes announced by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) that will make up the U.S. Team set to compete at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC, March 12-21, 2010, with skiing events taking place in Whistler.

"We are looking for our experienced Paralympians to lead the team to victory," U.S. Adaptive Program Director Sandy Metzger said.

The U.S. Paralympic Team for alpine will begin competing March 13 with men's and women's downhill where, according to U.S. Adaptive Alpine Head Coach Ray Watkins, the team's experience will come into play.

"We have a team with a lot of experience, they all know the drill, now it is their time to go out and execute the skills they have perfected over the years," Watkins said.

The cross country action starts March 14 with men's 15K and women's 10K in the sitting discipline. U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Coach Greg Rawlings said the team is as prepared as they can be.

"After a solid World Cup season the adaptive cross country team is doing the final preparation leading up to the Paralympic Games. With fourth overall in both cross country and biathlon with different athletes, we have our eye on the podium in Vancouver," Rawlings said.

Rawlings also has a few specific athletes in sight to do well at the Games.

"We look for Chris Klebl to wheel onto the podium in one or both of the distance events. Andy Soule may visit the podium in either of the biathlon races or the sprint race. Sean Halsted may visit the podium in the sprint race as well," Rawlings said.

The 2010 Paralympic Games begin in Vancouver on March 12 with Opening Ceremonies, and conclude March 21.

2010 U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team (* denotes previous Paralympians)
Men - Sitting
Carl Burnett (Cape Elizabeth, ME)*
Heath Calhoun (Aspen, CO)
Nick Catanzarite (Winter Park, CO)*
Chris Devlin-Young (Campton, NH)*
Gerald Hayden (Winter Park, CO)*
Joe Tompkins (Juneau, AK)*
Tyler Walker (Franconia, NH)*

Men - Standing
Ralph Green (Vail, CO)*
Ian Jansing (Winter Park, CO)
Monte Meier (Park City, UT)*
George Sansonetis (Leadville, CO)*
Brad Washburn (Highlands Ranch, CO)*
John Whitney (Towson, MD)*

Men's Visually Impaired
Mark Bathum (Seattle)

Women - Sitting
Ricci Kilgore (Reno, NV)
Luba Lowery (Denver)
Alana Nichols (Farmington, NM)
Laurie Stephens (Wenham, MA)*
Elitsa Storey (Sun Valley, ID)*
Stephani Victor (Park City, UT)*

Women - Standing
Allison Jones (Colorado Springs, CO)*
Hannah Pennington (Winter Park, CO)*

Women - Visually Impaired
Caitlin Sarubbi (Brooklyn, NY)
Danelle Umstead (Taos, NM)

GUIDES
Slater Storey (Sun Valley, ID) – guide for Mark Bathum
Rob Umstead (Taos, NM) – guide for wife, Danelle Umstead
Gwynn Watkins (Mt. Shasta, CA) – guide for Caitlin Sarubbi

2010 U.S. Paralympic Cross Country Ski Team
Men
Sean Halsted (Spokane, WA)
Chris Klebl (Heber City, UT)*
Greg Mallory (Portland, OR)*
Andy Soule (Pearland, TX)

Women
Monica Bascio (Evergreen, CO)*
Kelly Underkofler (St. Paul, MN)*

U.S. MILITARY VETERANS
Heath Calhoun (Grundy, VA), alpine skiing – retired U.S. Army (Iraq War Veteran)
Chris Devlin-Young (Campton, N.H.), alpine skiing – retired U.S. Coast Guard
Sean Halsted (Spokane, Wash.), cross country skiing – retired U.S. Air Force
Andy Soule (Pearland, Texas), cross country skiing and biathlon – retired U.S. Army (Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom)

Tompkins, Stephens Top Field

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Mar. 3) - The second day of World Cup finals was underway on Wednesday, as the racers charged in the downhill in Aspen. Joe Tompkins (Juneau, AK; sit-ski) and Laurie Stephens (Wenham, MA; sit-ski) found themselves on top of the podium in their respective disciplines. Tomkins and Alana Nichols (Farmington, NM; sit-ski) captured the World Cup overall downhill globe with the completion of the race.

It was a sunny warm day in Aspen as this season's top racers came to compete in the first World Cups of the season in the U.S. After Tuesday's race, race officials decided to do some course maintence in preparation for downhill number two.

"They groomed the hill last night because it was getting a little rough yesterday," explained Assistant Adaptive Alpine Coach Ian Garner. "It was a little smoother in some spots, but the same course."

Tompkins and Stephens won along with Australia's Marty Mayberry and Frances Solebe Jambaque in the standing division and Slovakia's Jakub Krako and Czech Republic's Anna Kuliskova in the visually impaired classification.

Tompkins marked his second win during World Cup Finals winning both downhills to date. Tompkins finished the day an impressive 1.78 seconds ahead of the field. Mark Bathum (Seattle, WA; visually impaired) added a second podium to his belt, finishing in second. Ralph Green (Vail, CO; standing) earned his first top five finish in a World Cup, landing the fifth spot.

"Ralph Green getting his first World Cup top five was pretty stellar," said Garner.

Stephens captured the win, talling two podium in two races. Nichols trailed Stephens scoring the third and final spot on the women's sit-ski podium. Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) and Danelle Umstead (Taos, NM; visually impaired) made it two, two days in a row, posting another second place finish and podium.

Tompkins and Nichols both clinched the World Cup overall downhill title with Wednesday's results. Tompkins, a ski racing veteran, focused mostly on downhill this season, while nichols won the globe in her rookie World Cup seaon.

"It's Alana's first year racing World Cups and she won the downhill overall and for Joe, he's been at the sport a long time," said Garner. "For them to win the downhill overall was awesome, especially going into the Paralympics."

World Cup finals continue at Aspen on Thursday with the super combined. The super combined will be comprised of a super G run and a slalom run.

"Aspen has put on a great event so far," said Garner. "Hopefully the weather cooperates and our success continues."

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Aspen, CO
March 3, 2010
Downhill

Men Sitting

1. Joe Tompkins, Juneau, AK, 1:12.33
2. Sean Rose, Great Britain, 1:14.11
3. Thomas Nolte, Germany, 1:15.18
4. Yohann Taberlet, France, 1:15.74
5. Jong Seork Park, Korea, 1:16.20
-
9. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 1:17.15
11. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:18.02
DNF: Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, Heath Calhoun, Aspen, CO, Erik Bayindirli, Deer Mountain, UT

Men Standing

1. Marty Mayberry, Australia, 1:16.02
2. Gerd Schoenfelder, Germany, 1:16.15
3. Toby Kane, Australia, 1:16.38
4. Michael Bruegger, Switzerland, 1:16.81
5. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:17.31
-
9. George Sansonetis, Leadville, CO, 1:18.15
14. Monte Meier, Park City, UT, 1:19.47
17. John Whitney, Towson, MD, 1:19.83

Men Visually Impaired

1. Jakub Krako, Slovakia, 1:12.33
2. Mark Bathum, Seattle, WA, 1:12.51
3. Nicolas Berejny, France, 1:13.03
4. Gabriel Gorce, Spain, 1:13.17
5. Michal Beladic, 1:15.22

Women Sitting

1. Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA, 1:18.18
2. Claudia Loesch, Austria, 1:21.07
3. Alana Nichols, Farmington, NM, 1:23.04

Women Standing

1. Solene Jambaque, France, 1:19.85
2. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:21.59
3. Melania Corradini, Italy, 1:23.98
4. Marie Bochet, France, 1:24.35
5. Andrea Ruthfuss, Germany, 1:24.76

Women Visually Impaired

1. Anna Kuliskova, Caech Republic, 1:23.12
2. Danelle Umstead, Taos, NM, 1:25.24
3. Melissa Perrine, Australia, 1:25.31
4. Anna Cohi, Spain, 1:31.04
5. Caitlin Sarubbi, Brooklyn, NY, 1:31.59
# # #

U.S. Strong in WC Finals Opener

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Mar. 2) - Tuesday's downhill kicked off World Cup finals in Aspen, with the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team strong. The U.S. grabbed six podiums, including two wins, Joe Tomkins (Juneau, AK; sit-ski) and Alana Nichols (Farmington, NM; sit-ski) on top.

"Today was the best weather that we had for the race and the course was in perfect condition," said Mark Bathum (Seattle, WA; visually impaired). "There were a little bit of ruts from the previous couple of days that added a little more excitement to the course."

Tompkins and Nichols were joind on the top of podium by Germany's Gerd Schoenfelder and France's Solene Jambaque in the standing division and Spain's Jon Santacana and Czech Republic's Anna Kuliskova in the visually impaired division.

Bathum, the only other U.S. male to podium, posted a solid second place finish. Three U.S. women, Laurie Stephens (Wenham, MA; sit-ski), Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) and Danelle Umstead (Taos, NM; visually impaired), also scored a second place finish in their respective disciplines.

The U.S. showed no signed of fear, only postive energy heading into Tuesday's race. Despite chilling temperature through the night hardening the track, the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team charged down the hill to grabbing the most podiums then any other participating country.

"It was cold over night so the track was a little firmer and faster," explained Bathum. "Everybody was at least a second faster today."

World Cup finals will continue in Aspen on Wednesday for another downhill.

"It's a very nice course that uses the terrain of the hill, very effeciently and naturally," said Bathum. "The course really flows down the hill beautifully."

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Aspen, CO
March 2, 2010
Downhill

Men Sitting

1. Joe Tompkins, Juneau, AK, 1:13.16
2. Thomas Nolte, Germany, 1:14.34
3. Yohann Taberlet, France, 1:15.59
4. Akira Kano, Japan, 1:15.71
5. Christopher Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, 1:16.04
-
6. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:16.06
10. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 1:17.79
11. Heath Calhoun, Snowmass Village, CO, 1:19.72
15. Erik Bayindirli, Deer Mountain, UT, 1:22.34
DNF: Nick Catanzarite, Winter Park, CO, Gregory Peck, Wasilla, AK

Men Standing

1. Gerd Shoenfelder, Germany, 1:16.68
2. Marty Mayberry, Australia, 1:17.15
3. Toby Kane, Australia, 1:18.12
4. Michael Bruegger, Switzerland, 1:18.13
5. Cameron Rahles-Rahbula, Australia, 1:18.19
-
8. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:18.96
11. George Sansonetis, Fraser, CO, 1:19.15
13. Monte Meier, Park City, UT, 1:19.79
20. John Whtney, Towson, MD, 1:21.93

Men Visually Impaired

1. Jon Santacana, Spain, 1:12.10
2. Mark Bathum, Seattle, WA, 1:13.05
3. Jakub Krako, Slovakia, 1:14.85
4. Nicolas Berejny, France, 1:14.92
5. Gerd Gradwohl, Germany, 1:15.28

Women SItting

1. Alana Nicholes, Farmington, NM, 1;17.68
2. Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA, 1:19.65
3. Claudia Loesch, Austria, 1:21.22
4. Tatsuko Aoki, Japan, 1;29.62

Women Standing

1. Solene Jambaque, France, 1:21.07
2. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:22.92
3. Andrea Ruthfuss, Germany, 1:25.07
4. Marie Bochet, France, 1:25.32
5. Melania Corradini, Italy, 1:25.78

Women Visually Impaired

1. Anna Kuliskova, Czech Republic, 1:24.31
2. Danelle Umstead, Taos, NM, 1:25.04
3. Anna Cohi, Spain, 1:32.29
DNF: Caitlin Sarrubi, Brooklyn, NY
# # #

Victor Tallies 2 in Huntsman Cup

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (Feb. 24) - Stephani Victor (Park City, UT; sit-ski) tallied her second win in Wednesday's Huntsman Cup GS at Park City. Gerald Hayden (Merced, CA; sit-ski) was a DNF.

Victor was solid in the second of three races at Park City Mountain Resort. Victor beat Iceland's Erna Fridiksdottir to take the win.

Hayden struggled in the second day of GS races posting a DNF in the sit-ski classifiction. New Zealand's Peter Williams won the race.

The Huntsman Cup's final will race is scheduled for Thursday.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Huntsman Cup
Park City, UT
GS

Men Sitting

1. Peter Williams, New Zealand, 2:11.14
2. Erik Bayindirli, Deer Mountain, UT, 2:16.35
3. Thomas Sam Ferguson, Aspen, CO, 2:24.36
DNF: Gerald Hayden, Merced, CA

Women Sitting

1. Stephani Victor, Park City, UT, 2:23.92
2. Erna Fridriksdottir, Iceland, 2:34.67
# # #

Meier, Hayden, Victor Win Huntsman Cup GS

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

PARK CITY, UT (Feb. 23) - U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team members Gerald Hayden (Merced, CA;sit-ski), Monte Meier (Park City, UT; standing) and Stephani Victor (Park City, UT; sit-ski) competed in the first of three Huntsman Cup races at Park City Mountain Resort. Hayden, Meier and Victor won their GS classification.

Hayden was fierce, winning the men's sitting division by nearly three seconds. Hayden topped New Zealand's Peter Williams and Erik Bayindirli (Deer Mountain, UT; sit-ski) to take the top step on the podium.

Meier led the standing field by more than a second to win the men's standing GS. Canada's Kirk Schornstein was off Meier's pace landing in second. Ian Jansing (Granby, CO; standing) rounding out the podium in third.

Victor laid down two convincing runs, topping the women's sitting field by 25 seconds. Victor commanded the race with Iceland's Erna Fridrikdottir in second. Sylvie Fadrhonc (Basalt, CO; sit-ski) raced into third.

The Huntsman Cup will continue on Wednesday at Park City Mountain Resort.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Huntsman Cup
Park City, UT
February 23, 2010
GS

Men Sitting

1. Gerald Hayden, Merced, CA, 1:58.52
2. Peter Williams, New Zealand, 2:03.57
3. Erik Bayindirli, Deer Mountain, UT, 2:07.35

Men Standing

1. Monte Meier, Park City, UT, 1:53.31
2. Kirk Schornstein, Canada, 1:54.24
3. Ian Jansing, Granby, CO, 2:04.87

Women Sitting

1. Stephani Victor, Park City, UT, 2:05.57
2. Erna Fridriksdottir, Iceland, 2:30.35
3. Sylvie Fadrhonc, Basalt, CO, 3:11.15
# # #

Adaptive Alpine Takes 4 NorAm Wins

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

KIMBERLY, BC (Feb. 12) – The U.S. Adaptive Alpine team had another strong showing on Friday in the first of two super G races. Mark Bathum (Seattle, WA; visually impaired), Caitlin Sarrubi (Brooklyn, NY; visually impaired), Alana Nichols (Farmington, MN; sit-ski) and Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) all won their respective division.

The other classifications were won by Canada's sit-skier Sam Daniels and Slovakia's standing racer Martin Cupka. John Whitney (Winter Park, CO; standing) was the only other Team member to podium in third.

Kimberly will hold the second super G race Friday afternoon.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
NorAm
Kimberly, BC
February 12, 2010
Super G

Men Visually Impaired

1. Mark Bathum, Seattle, WA, 1:31.36

Men Sitting

1. Sam Daniels, Canada, 1:31.36
2. Gregory Peck, Wasilla, AK, 1:32.64
3. Talan Skeels-Piggins, Great Britain, 1:33.44
4. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:35.35
5. Erik Bayindirli, Deer Mountain, UT, 1:35.87

Men Standing

1. Martin Cupka, Slovakia, 1:37.25
2. Kirk Schornstein, Canada, 1:37.98
3. John Whitney, Towson, MD, 1:38.01
4. Jeff Dickson, Canada, 1:38.47
5. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:38.58

Women Visually Impaired

1. Caitlin Sarubbi, Brooklyn, NY, 1:47.97

Women Sitting

1. Alana Nichols, Farmington, NM, 1:37.28
2. Anna Turney, Great Britain, 1:50.39
3. Sylvie Fadrhonc, Basalt, CO, 2:34.23

Women Standing

1. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:42.46
2. Melanie Schwartz, Canada, 1:48.54
3. Hannah Pennington, Winter Park, CO, 1:56.11
4. Amber Avery, Parker, CO, 2:27.66
# # #

U.S. Seals All But 1 Win

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

KIMBERLY, BC (Feb. 12) – The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team claimed all but one classification won in the second NorAm Cup super G race on Friday. Mark Bathum (Seattle, WA; visually impaired), Carl Burnett (Winter Park, CO; sit-ski), Caitlin Sarrubi (Brooklyn, NY; visually impaired), Alana Nichols (Farmington, MN; sit-ski) and Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) all took the top step on the podium.

Slovakia's Martin Cupka won the standing classification stopping the U.S. from taking a six win sweep. John Whitney (Towson, MD; standing) joined his teammates on the podium in third.

The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team will head to Colorado at the end of February for a pre-Paralympic camp.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
NorAm
Kimberly, BC
February 12, 2010
Super G

Men Visually Impaired

1. Mark Bathum, Seattle, WA, 1:29.56

Men Sitting

1. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:32.23
2. Gregory Peck, Wasilla, AK, 1:32.54
3. Talan Skeels-Piggins, Great Britain, 1:32.75
4. Nick Catanzarite, Winter Park, CO, 1:33.92
5. Scott Meyer, Frisco, CO, 1:34.72

Men Standing

1. Martin Cupka, Slovakia, 1:31.45
2. Jeff Dickson, Canada, 1:33.44
3. John Whitney, Towson, MD, 1:33.88
4. Kirk Schornstein, Canada, 1:36.08
5. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:36.68

Women Visually Impaired

1. Caitlin Sarubbi, Brooklyn, NY, 1:52.62

Women Sitting

1. Alana Nichols, Farmington, NM, 1:35.84
2. Luba Lowery, Denver, CO, 1:49.71
3. Anna Turney, Great Britain, 2:00.38
4. Sylvie Fadrhonc, Basalt, CO, 2:26.78

Women Standing

1. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:42.11
2. Melanie Schwartz, Canada, 1:49.59
3. Hannah Pennington, Winter Park, CO, 1:57.77
4. Amber Avery, 2:28.07
# # #

Alpine Adaptive Takes 4 Wins in Canadian NorAm

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

KIMBERLY, BC (Feb. 11) – The U.S. Alpine Adaptive Team claimed four of the possible six wins in the second downhill NorAm Cup race on Thursday. Mark Bathum (Seattle, WA; visually impaired), Caitlin Sarrubi (Brooklyn, NY; visually impaired), Alana Nichols (Farmington, MN;sit-ski) and Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) all won their respective classifications.

Joining Bathum, Sarubbi, Nichols and Joins in the top spot were Nick Catanzarite (Winter Park, CO; sit-ski) and Martin Cupka (Slovakia; standing).

Carl Burnett (Winter Park, CO; sit-ski) was solid posted a second place finish. Ralph Green (Vail, CO; standing) was just shy of the podium in fourth.

Kimberly will host two super G races on Friday.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
NorAm Cup
Kimberly, BC
February 11, 2010
Downhill

Men Visually Impaired

1. Mark Bathum, Seattle, WA, 1:23.40

Men Sitting

1. Nick Catanzarite, Winter Park, CO, 1:24.39
2. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:24.92
3. Jasmin Bambur, Serbia, 1:26.71
4. Thomas Sam Ferguson, 1:29.50
5. Erik Bayindirli, Deer Mountain, UT, 1:31.72

Men Standing

1. Martin Cupka, Slovakia, 1:30.02
2. Jeff Dickson, Canada, 1:30.24
3. Kirk Schornstein, Canada, 1:30.82
4. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:31.36
5. Bryden Luscombe, Canada, 1:35.81
DNF: John Whitney, Towson, MD

Women Visually Impaired

1. Caitlin Saubbi, Brooklyn, NY, 1:42.14

Women Sitting

1. Alana Nichols, Farmington, MN, 1:26.94
2. Ricci Kilgore, Coronado, NV, 1:38.91
3. Luba Lowery, Dever, CO, 1:49.55
4. Sylvie Fadrhonc, Basalt, CO, 1:55.78

Women Standing

1. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:36.26
2. Melanie Schwartz, Canada, 1:40.77
3. Hannah Pennington, Winter Park, CO, 1:50.26
# # #

Sarubbi, Jones Win Canadian NorAm

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

KIMBERLY, BC (Feb. 11) – Cailtin Sarubbi (Brooklyn, NY; visually impaired), Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; sit-ski) and Mark Bathum (Seattle, WA; viually impaired) won the first of two downhill NorAm Cup races on Thursday.

The U.S. dominated to top of podium with the exception of a few Canadians taking the top spot. The visually impaired classification was won by Bathum and Sarubbi. The sitting division was topped by Nick Catanzarite (Winter Park, CO; sit-ski) and Luba Lowery (Denver, CO; sit-ski), while Canada's Jeff Dickson and Jones won the standing category.

Carl Burnett (Winter Park, CO; sit-ski) and Ralph Green (Vail, CO; standing) joined many of their teammates on the podium. Burnett took second and Green took third.

Kimberly will host a second downhill race on Thursday afternoon.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
NorAm Cup
Kimberly, BC
February 11, 2010
Downhill

Men Visually Impaired

1. Mark Bathum, Seattle, WA, 1:23.10

Men Sitting

1. Nick Catanzarite, Winter Park, CO, 1:23.18
2. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:25.61
3. Thomas Sam Ferguson, Aspen, CO, 1:26.51
4. Gregory Peck, Wasilla, AK, 1:26.52
5. Scott Meyer, Frisco, CO, 1:30.14
5. Jasmin Bamuer, Serbia, 1:30.14

Men Standing

1. Jeff Dickson, Canada, 1:29.36
2. Martin Cupka, Slovakia, 1:29.40
3. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:31.45
4. John Whitney, Towson, MD, 1:31.57
5. Kirk Schornstein, Canada, 1:31.69

Women Visually Impaired

1. Caitlin Sarubbi, Brooklyn, NY, 1:41.31

Women Sitting

1. Luba Lowery, Denver, CO, 1:36.66
2. Ricci Kilgore, Coronado, NV, 1:44.40
DNF: Alana Nichols, Farmington, MN

Women Standing

1. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:43.22
2. Hannah Pennington, Winter Park, CO, 1:53.90
3. Melanie Schwartz, Canada, 2:01.20
4. Amber Avery, 2:19.26
# # #

Klebl Just Misses Top 5

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

OBERRIED, Germany (Feb. 6) – Chris Klebl (Heber City, UT) raced to the finish on Saturday in the men's/women's distances 14/10K World Cup in Oberried, just missing the top five. Russia’s Irek Zaripov and Belarus’s Liudmila Vauchok won the race.

Klebl had a solid performance posting a seventh place finish, less than two-tenths out of fifth place. Andy Soule (Pearland, TX) was the only other American to break into the top 10 in tenth. Sean Halsted (Spokane, WA) landed in the top 15 in 12th, totaling a strong three U.S. men in the top 15.

Monica Bascio (Evergreen, CO) was the lone female U.S. competitor in the 10K race. Bascio rallied to score a ninth place finish.

The U.S. Cross Country Adaptive Team will return to the U.S. for races, Feb. 13-14 in Madison, WI.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Oberried, Germany
February 6, 2010
Men's/Women's Distances 14/10K

Men

1. Irek Zaripov, Russia, 41:09.10
2. Roman Petushko, Russia, 41:51.10
3. Enzo Masiello, Italy, 41:56.30
4. Aliaksandr Davidovich, Belarus, 42:46.40
5. Dzmitry Loban, Belarus, 43:23.90
-
7. Chris Klebl, Heber City, UT, 43:41.20
10. Andrew Soule, Pearland, TX, 45:26.30
12. Sean Halsted, Spokane, WA, 46:03.20
19. Greg Mallory, Portland, OR, 48:02.90
23. Eric Frazier, Jacksonville, NC, 57:00.70
26. Ken Lacome, Questa, NM, 63:08.60

Women

1. Liudmila Vauchok, Belarus, 33:35.70
2. Lyudmyla Pavelnko, Ukraine, 34:54.90
3. Olena Iurkovska, Ukraine, 35:13.00
4. Collette Bourgonje, Canada, 36:12.50
5. Francesca Porcellato, Italy, 36:23.00
-
9. Monica Bascio, Evergreen, CO, 40:04.00
# # #

Mallory Fronts U.S. in 6th

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 00:00:00 MST

OBERRIED, Germany (Feb. 4) – Greg Mallory (Portland, OR) led the USA in sixth place on Thursday in the World Cup sprint race in Oberried. Norway won both the men and women's race with Trygve Larson and Marianne Marthinsen in front.

Mallory was just two spots ahead of teammate Chris Klebl (Heber City, UT) in eighth. Andy Soule (Pearland, TX) rounded out the top 15, respectively finishing in 15th. Monica Bascio was the lone U.S. female competitor, ending the day in 11th.

Sean Halsted (Spokane, WA), Eric Frazier (Jacksonville, NC) and Ken Lacome (Questa, MN) put forth a solid effort to cross the finish line. Soule finished 25th, Frazier ended in 36th and Lacome posted a 37th, right behind Frazier.

The next World Cup in Germany is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 7.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Oberried, Germany
February 4, 2010
Sprint Classic

Men

1. Trygve S. Larsen, Norway, 1:49.26
2. Aliaksandr Davidovich, Belarus, 1:51.24
3. Iurii Kostiuk, Ukraine, 1:49.96
4. Roman Petushkov, Russia, 1:46.04
5. Evgeny Lykianenko, Belarus, 1:53.24
-
6. Greg Mallory, Portland, OR, 1:55.77
8. Chris Klebl, Heber City, UT, 1:52.82
15. Andrew Soule, Pearland, TX, 1:53.89
25. Sean Halsted, Spokane, WA, 2:02.67
36. Eric Frazier, Jacksonville, NC, 2:23.71
37. Ken Lacome, Questa, MN, 2:29.07

Women

1. Marianne V. Marthinsen, Norway, 2:08.66
2. Collette Bourgonje, Canada, 2:23.18
3. Maria Iovleva, Russia, 2:08.33
4. Francesca Porcellato, Italy, 2:09.45
5. Olena Iurkovska, Ukraine, 2:10.35
-
11. Monica Bascio, Evergreen, CO, 2:13.65
# # #

Klebl Just Off Podium

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 MST

BESSANS, France (Jan. 31) – The U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Team was strong in Sunday's World Cup race in Besson. Chris Klebl (Heber City, UT) just missed the podium in fourth place, while Belarus's Dzmitry Loban took the win.

The U.S. squeezed four competitors into the top 20 with three in the top ten and four in the top 16. Sunday's impressive results were accented by a beautiful blue sky in the French Alps on a trail known to the racers of the Tour De France.

"The Besson ski trails are on the same roads that the Tour De France came through twice last summer," explained Head Coach Greg Rawlings. "It's an amazing facility that is at the highest end of the altitude requirements for the World Cup."

Klebl led the way for the USA, followed by Sean Halsted (Spokane, WA) in sixth and Andy Soule (Pearland, TX) in eighth. Greg Mallory (Portland, OR) made it four, racing into the top 20 to end the day in 16th.

Canada's Collette Bourgonje won the women's classification. Monica Bascio (Evergreen, CO) posted a ninth place finish.

The U.S. Cross Country Adaptive Team will head to Oberried, Germany for the next World Cu series. The Germany held races are scheduled for Feb. 3 and 7.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Besson, France
January 31, 2010
Middle Distance Classic

Men

1. Dzmitry Loban, Belarus, 32:58.80
2. Enzo Masiello, Italy, 33:01.10
3. Aliaksandr Davidovich, Belarus, 33:14.60
4. Chris Klebl, Heber City, UT, 33:34.00
5. Iurii Kostiuk, Ukraine, 34:21.70
-
6. Sean Halsted, Spokane, WA, 34:27.70
8. Andy Soule, Pearland, TX, 35:10.60
16. Greg Mallory, Portland, OR, 36:51.10
30. Eric Frazier, Jacksonville, NC, 48:06.10
32. Ken Lacome, Questa, NM, 48:40.10

Women

1. Collette Bourgonje, Canada18:29.90
2. Liudmila Vauchok, Belarus, 18:40.90
3. Lyudmyla Pavlenko, Ukraine, 19:31.30
4. Olena Iurkovska, Ukraine, 19:51.30
5. Francesca Porcellato, Italy, 20:14.20
-
9. Monica Bascio, Evergreen, CO, 21:12.50
# # #

Walker Repeats at 2010 X Games

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 MST

ASPEN, CO (Jan. 31) – Tyler Walker (Franconia, NH) won his second straight gold medal in the mono ski cross on Sunday at the 2010 Winter X Games in Aspen. Walker has a total of three X Games gold medals.

"It's awesome. It's hard to know what to expect in this event, I happened to be good at jumping and crazy terrain, so I enjoy this event quite a bit," said Walker. "As you can see from the runs, anything can happen. It's very unpredictable. It feels great to do it again."

Unlike many of the other heats and mono ski cross competitions, Walker found himself behind the pack at the beginning of the race. Walker, who is typically used to getting the hole shot, had to strategically work his way through the jumps to the take the win.

"It was interesting. I usually get the hole shot, but this run I didn’t get it. I was pretty close to the people in front," explained Walker. "The course funnels down into the first jump, it's really narrow and you have to go off the jump at an angle. I had the inside line, so everyone was drifting towards me."

Walker and Kevin Connolly (East Helena, MT), who placed third in the finals, went off the jump together. Connolly accidentally skied into Walker, forcing he and Walker to do a duet off the jump. To Walker's surprise, the landing was pretty clean, resulting in Walker moving up to the second position.

"One of the guys, Kevin Connolly, actually hit me, not intentionally, but he came in really close. We went off the jump in contact with one another, which is not something you want to have, especially when you are strapped to 50 lbs of metal," admitted Walker. "We actually landed alright, which was quite surprising to me."

After the first jump, Walker found himself trailing teammate and friend Chris Devlin-Young (Campton, NH) into the second jump. Devlin-Young took the lead, launching off the jump with Walker on his heels. Immediately after landing, Walker had to throw his mono ski sideways in order to miss hitting the fallen Devlin-Young. Walker was able to quickly get up and ski around his teammate to take the lead.

Gregory Peck (Wasilla, AK) put forth a solid effort in hopes of catching Walker. However, Walker had his eyes on the finish line and was too fast, clinching his second straight gold medal at the X Games.

"This event is really big for adaptive skiing because it gets a huge amount of exposure. People really seem to enjoy watching our event," said Walker. "It gives us a lot of recognition. It's pretty cool."

Walker plans to spend the month of February in Aspen, training and free skiing in preparation for World Cup Finals, which are held in Aspen this year, and the Paralympics in Vancouver.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
X Games
Aspen, CO
January 31, 2010
Mono Ski Cross

1. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH
2. Gregory Peck, Wasilla, AK
3. Kevin Connolly, East Helena, MT
# # #

Halsted Just Shy of Podium

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 MST

BESSANS, France (Jan. 28) – The U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Team showed their strength and spirit in Thursday's World Cup sprint race in Besson. Sean Halsted (Spokane, WA) led the men in fourth, while Monica Bascio (Evergreen, CO) finished in ninth.

Norway's Trygve Larson was the victor in the final heat of the sprint race. Halsted was joined by teammate Chris Klebl (Heber City, UT) in the top five, taking the fourth and fifth spots.

Two other Americans finished in the top 15, Andy Soule (Pearland, TX) and Greg Mallory (Portland, OR) respectively finished 10th and 15th.

The women's race was won by Italy's Francesca Porcellato. Bascio was the lone female U.S. competitor. Bascio posted a top 10 finish in ninth.

The U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Team will race in Besson, France again on Sunday.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Besson, France
January 28, 2010
Sprint
(The times were subject to recalculation based on skier level.)

Men

1. Trygve Larson, Norway, 2:48.61
2. Enzo Masiello, Italy, 2:44.89
3. Dzmitry Loban, Belarus, 2:35.86
4. Sean Halsted, Spokane, WA, 2:45.33
5. Chris Klebl, Heber City, UT, 2:42.38
-
10. Andrew Soule, Pearland, TX, 2:44.73
15. Greg Mallory, Portland, OR, 2:51.58
34. Ken Lacome, Questa, NM, 3:37.05
36. Eric Frazier, Jacksonville, NC, 3:41.98

Women

1. Francesca Porcellato, Italy, 3:12.79
2. Liudmila Vauchok, Belarus, 3:12.11
3. Collette Bourgonje, Canada, 3:20.84
4. Andrea Eskau, Germany, 3:14.47
5. Olena Iurkovska, Ukraine, 3:12.34
-
9. Monica Bascio, Evergreen, CO, 3:22.72
# # #

Stephens, Devlin-Young Lead U.S. in Sestriere

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:00:00 MST

SESTRIERE, Italy (Jan. 23) – The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team tallied a total of five podiums in Saturday's super G race in Sestriere. Laurie Stephens (Wenham, MA; sit-ski) and Chris Devlin-Young (Campton, NH; sit-ski) led the way for the U.S. men and women.

The winners for the final race in Sestriere included an array of countries. Japan's Taiki Morii and Stephens won the sit-ski classification. Germany's Gerd Schoenfelder and France's Solene Jambaque won the standing division. The visually impaired category was won by Canada's Chris Williamson and Slovakia's Henrieta Farkasova.

The U.S. posted strong results with six athletes in the top five, four in the top 20, and two in the top 25. Only three U.S. racers ended the day with a DNF, after fighting to finish in hopes of grabbing a solid result.

"We kind of got off to a slow start in Austria," said Head Coach Ray Watkins. "When the chips were there, our guys and girls pulled through. We're excited."

On the men's side, Devlin-Young was a mere four-tenths out of first finishing the race in second. Tyler Walker (Franconia, NH; sit-ski), barely missing the podium, posted a solid fourth place finish.

In the women's classification, the U.S. landed on the podium four times, with a win, a second and two third place finishes. Stephens topped the field with Alana Nichols (Farmington, MN; sit-ski) in third. Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) grabbed the last spot on the podium, while Danelle Umstead (Taos, NM; visually impaired) raced to second place.

The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team will compete in World Cup Finals in Aspen, CO before heading up to the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games in Vancouver this coming March.

"We're excited to be coming home and be on our home turf," said Watkins. "Aspen's home and Vancouver is just up the street."

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Sestriere, Italy
January 23, 2010
Super G

Men Sit-Ski

1. Taiki Morii, Japan, 1:21.59
2. Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, 1:21.96
3. Martin Braxenthaler, Germany, 1:22.66
4. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 1:24.71
5. Yohann Taberlet, France, 1:25.93
-
14. Nick Caranzarite, Winter Park, CO, 1:28.93
18. Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, 1:30.93
19. Gregory Peck, Wasilla, AK, 1:31.20
DNF: Joe Tompkins, Juneau, AK, Heath Calhoun, Snowmass Village, CO

Men Standing

1. Gerd Schoenfelder, Germany, 1:24.13
2. Vincent Gauthier-Manuel, France, 1:25.02
3. Toby Kane, Australia, 1:25.62
4. Cameron Rahles-Rahbula, Australia, 1:25.71
5. Lionel Brun, France, 1:26.18
-
19. George Sansonetis, Fraser, CO, 1:30.64
23. Monte Meier, Park City, UT, 1:32.88
24. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:33.67
25. John Whitney, Towson, MD, 1:34.00

Men Visually Impaired

1. Chris Williamson, Canada, 1:32.67
2. Jakub Krako, Slovakia, 1:23.70
3. Jon Santacana, Spain, 1:25.70
4. Miroslav Haraus, Slovakia, 1:26.43
5. Gianmaria Dal Maistro, Italy, 1:27.07

Women Sit-Ski

1. Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA, 1:30.54
2. Claudia Loesch, Austria, 1:31.39
3. Alana Nichols, Farmington, MN, 1:35.16
4. Kunio Obinata, Japan, 1:38.36
5. Daila Dameno, Italy, 2:04.46
-
DNF: Stephani Victor, Park City, UT

Women Standing

1. Solene Jambaque, France, 1:29.73
2. Lauren Wollstencroft, Canada, 1:29.95
3. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:31.67
4. Melania Corradini, Italy, 1:32.61
5. Marie Bochet, France, 1:33.72

Women Visually Impaired

1. Henrieta Farkasova, Slovakia, 1:35.11
2. Danelle Umstead, Taos, NM, 1:42.35
# # #

Nichols, Jones Lead Way for USA

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 MST

SESTRIERE, Italy (Jan. 22) – Alana Nichols (Farmington, MN; sit-ski) and Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) posted solid results on Friday in Sestriere's super G and super combined World Cups.

Two races were held, a super G and a super combined. The super G portion of the race was also counted as an independent race apart from the super combined. If a racer had a DNF in the super G, they were recorded as a DNF in both the independent super G race and the super combined, and were not awarded a slalom run.

The super G winners included Germany's Martin Braxenthaler, France's Vincent Gauthier-Manuel, Slovakia's Jakub Krako and Henrieta Farkasova, Canada's Lauren Woolstencroft, and USA's Nichols.

Heath Calhoun (Snowmass Village, CO; sit-ski) was just shy of the podium topping the U.S. racers in fourth place. Nichols locked her second World Cup win, winning the race by five seconds. Jones also knifed it taking the second place. Danelle Umstead (Taos, NM; visually impaired) made it on the podium breaking through a bumpy season.

Jones poses on the podium Sestriere. (Erik Leirfallom/U.S. Ski Team)

"We have to love how it went today," said Head Coach Ray Watkins. "I mean Alana [Nichols] got the ball rolling yesterday and it just turned into a snowball effect."

The U.S. shared similar success in the super combined posting four podium results. Nichols, Stephani Victor (Park City, UT; sit-ski), Jones, and Umstead crowded the podiums.

"We like to go fast. Ian Garner, one of our coaches, set the super G," said Watkins. "Obviously, our team loved it and ripped, hopefully we will have similar results tomorrow."

The super combined winners included the same winners from the Men's super G, Braxenthaler, Gauthier-Manuel, and Krako and two Women's super G winners, Farkasova and Woolstencroft, along with Austria's Claudia Loesch.

Calhoun found himself in front again for the U.S. finishing in sixth place, just missing the top five. Nichols and Victor took second third, trailing Loesch, who snuck in to take the win. Jones stayed strong, adding another second place to her resume, while Umstead tallied another third. Umstead's third place finishes met the criteria for being named to the B Team.

Saturday's super G will wrap up the races in Sestriere. Following the competition, the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team will head back to North America for races and training in preparation for Vancouver.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
SESTRIERE, Italy
January 22, 2010
Super G

Men Sit-Ski

1. Martin Braxenthaler, Germany, 1:23.67
2. Akira Kano, Japan, 1:24.51
3. Taiki Morii, Japan, 1:26.40
4. Heath Calhoun, Snowmass Village, CO, 1:28.25
5. Shannon Dallas, Australia, 1:28.42
-
18. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 1:34.96
19. Nick Catanzarite, Winter Park, CO, 1:35.40
22. Joe Tompkins, Juneau, AK, 1:40.70
DNF: Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, Gregory Peck, Wasilla, AK, Nick Catanzarite, Winter Park, CO

Men Standing

1. Vincent Gauthier-Manuel, France, 1:26.58
2. Gerd Schoenfelder, Germany, 1:26.70
3. Thomas Pfyl, Switzerland, 1:28.09
4. Romain Riboud, France, 1:28.64
5. Toby Kane, Australia, 1:28.65
-
19. George Sansonetis, Fraser, CO, 1:35.54
20. Monte Meier, Park City, UT, 1:36.60
24. John Whitney, Towson, MD1:37.54
25. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:39.56

Men Visually Impaired

1. Jakub Krako, Slovakia, 1:28.00
2. Chris Williamson, Canada, 1:28.53
3. Jon Santacana, Spain, 1:29.11
4. Miroslav Haraus, Slovakia, 1:30.33
5. Gianmaria Dal Maistro, Italy, 1:30.79

Women Sit-Ski

1. Alana Nichols, Farmington, MN, 1:31.12
2. Claudia Loech, Austria, 1:36.64
3. Kuniko Obinata, Japan, 1:42.92
4. Stephani Victor, Park City, UT, 1:51.06
5. Daila Dameno, Italy, 2:38.89
-
DNF: Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA

Women Standing

1. Lauren Woolstencroft, Canada, 1:32.77
2. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:34.79
3. Solene Jambaque, France, 1:35.93
4. Marie Bochet, France, 1:37.60
5. Andrea Rothfuss, Germany, 1:38.03

Women Visually Impaired
1. Henrieta Farkasova, Slovakia, 1:37.63
2. Viviane Forest, Canada, 1:40.63
3. Danelle Umstead, Taos, NM, 1:41.78
4. Anna Cohi, Spain, 1:45.47

Super Combined

Men Sit-Ski

1. Martin Braxenthaler, Germany, 2:10.43
2. Akira Kano, Japan, 2:14.48
3. Josh Dueck, Canada, 2:17.68
4. Akira Taniguchi, Japan, 2:19.85
5. Philipp Bonadimann, Austria, 2:20.29
-
6. Heath Calhoun, Snowmass Village, CO, 2:20.54
12. Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, 2:23.22
DNF: Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, Gregory Peck, Wasilla, AK

Men Standing

1. Gerd Schoenfelder, Germany, 2:12.71
2. Vincent Gautheir-Manual, France, 2:13.01
3. Lionel Brun, France, 2:14.70
4. Toby Kane, Australia, 2:14.95
5. Cameron Rahles-Rahbula, Australia, 2: 17.58
-
14. Monte Meier, Park City, UT
17. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 2:29.75
18. John Whitney, Towson, MD, 2:30.27
19. George Sansonetis, Fraser, CO, 2:34.14

Men Visually Impaired

1. Gianmaria Dal Maistro, Italy, 2:17.68
2. Mirolav Haraus, Slovakia, 2:18.09
3. Jakub Krako, Slovakia, 2:19.41
4. Ivan Franstv, Russia, 2:21.87
5. Norbert Holikk, Slovakia, 2:23.53

Women Sit-Ski

1. Claudia Loech, Austria, 2:32.94
2. Alana Nichols, Farmington, MN, 2:38.10
3. Stephani Victor, Park City, UT, 2:53.63
4. Kuniko Obinata, Japan, 2:55.27
5. Daila Dameno, Italy, 4:06.09
-
DNF: Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA

Women Standing

1. Lauren Woolstencroft, Canada, 2:22.29
2. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 2:27.11
3. Marie Bochet, France, 2:27.25
4. Solene Jambaque, France, 2:29.74
5. Petra Smarzova, Slovakia, 2:30.54

Women Visually Impaired

1. Henrieta Farkasova, Slovakia, 2:32.07
2. Viviane Forest, Canada, 2:35.28
3. Danelle Umstead, Taos, NM, 2:41.07
4. Anna Cohi, Spain, 2:49.28
# # #

Nichols Takes 1st World Cup Win

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 MST

SESTRIERE, Italy (Jan. 21) – U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team member Alana Nichols (Farmington, MN; sit-ski) clinched her first World Cup win in Thursday's downhill race in Sestriere. Heath Calhoun (Snowmass Village, CO; sit-ski) was the top U.S. male finisher in 13th.

Joining Nichols in the top spot in the sit-ski classification was Switzerland's Christoph Kunz. The standing division was won by Germany's Gerd Schoenfelder and Canada's Lauren Woolstencroft. The visually impaired category winners were Spain's Jon Santacana and Slovakia's Henrieta Farkasova.

Nichols sealed the deal, winning her first World Cup in her first season racing on the World Cup circuit. Nichols charged forward after breaking her ski in Wednesday's downhill, forcing her to use her back-up ski that she and her coaches mounted on Wednesday night, the night before the race.

"She broke her ski yesterday, so we had her on a different downhill ski today. After inspection she made a couple good warm up runs," explained Head Coach Ray Watkins. "We just talked about focusing on fundamentals. She laid down a good run and won."

Nichols smiles on the podium for her first World Cup win. (Erik Leirfallom/U.S. Ski Team)

Nichols fought through a slump in Austria to find herself listening to the National Anthem on the podium in Sestriere. Although she has little experience on the World Cup circuit, Nichols showed great signs of confidence, maturity and promise as she nuked the course, beating the field by two seconds.

"I knew the course inside and out, it was just a matter of executing," said Nichols. "I had it memorized in my head. I was just ready to ski tactically on the sections I needed to ski smart and to rail on the ones I could go fast on."

Nichols was joined by Danelle Umstead (Taos, NM; visually impaired) and Allison Jones (Winter Park, CO; standing) in the top ten. Calhoun was the U.S. men's top finisher breaking into the top 15 in 13th.

The U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team will be in the starting gate again on Friday, racing in the super combined, with a little edge against fellow competitors. The U.S. was assigned the course set of the super G portion of the race.

"This is my first World Cup season. I'm just taking it in. I am so thankful and blessed to be here," confessed Nichols. "To represent my country and to be on the podium tonight,it just tops it all off. It was amazing."

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Sestriere, Italy
January 21, 2010
Downhill

Men Sit-Ski

1. Christoph Kunz, Switzerland, 1:13.94
2. Akira Kano, Japan, 1:14.61
3. Reinhold Sampl, Austria, 1:14.74
4. Nicolas Loussalez, France, 1:14.76
5. Martin Braxenthaler, Germany, 1:15.02
-
13. Heath Calhoun, Snowmass Village, CO, 1:18.12
17. Joe Tompkins, Juneau, AK, 1:19.14
27. Chris Devlin-Young, Campton, NH, 1:32.65
DNF: Tyler Walker, Franconia, NH, Nick Catanzarite, Winter Park, CO, Carl Burnett, Winter Park, CO, Gregory Peck, Wasilla, AK

Men Standing

1. Gerd Schoenfelder, Germany, 1:13.89
2. Toby Kane, Australia, 1:15.69
3. Michael Bruegger, Switzerland, 1:15.79
4. Cameron Rahles-Rahbula, Australia, 1:15.84
5. Lionel Brun, France, 1:16.07
-
16. Monte Meier, Park City, UT, 1:20.30
21. John Whitney, Towson, MD, 1:22.43
22. George Sansonetis, Fraser, CO, 1:22.75
27. Ralph Green, Vail, CO, 1:26.35

Men Visually Impaired

1. Jon Santacana, Spain, 1:12.67
2. Chris Williamson, Canada, 1:13.76
3. Miroslav Haraus, Slovakia, 1:15.31
4. Jakub Krako, Slovakia, 1:15.62
5. Michal Beladic, Slovakia, 1:18.43

Women Sit-Ski

1. Alana Nichols, Farmington, MN, 1:22.44
2. Kuniko Obinata, Japan, 1:24.22
3. Claudia Loesch, Austria, 1:25.55
-
DNF: Stephani Victor, Park City, UT, Laurie Stephens, Wenham, MA

Women Standing

1. Lauren Woolstencroft, Canada, 1:20.00
2. Andrea Rothfuss, Germany, 1:22.84
3. Karolina Wisniewska, Canada, 1:23.50
4. Melania Corradini, Italy, 1:23.55
5. Solene Jambaque, France, 1:24.03
-
7. Allison Jones, Winter Park, CO, 1:25.92

Women Visually Impaired

1. Henrieta Farkasova, Slovakia, 1:20.30
2. Anna Kuliskova, Czech Republic, 1:20.73
3. Viviane Forest, Canada, 1:25.64
4. Melissa Perrina, Australia, 1:26.14
5. Danelle Umstead, Taos, NM, 1:28.36
# # #