Ritchie Scores Career Best Under the Lights in Madonna

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Ben Ritchie claimed a career-best eighth-place finish under the lights in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. Ritchie scored a top 10 and finished in second place on the second run - a standout performance for the young skier. 

“Second run I put down a good run I am proud of,” said Ritchie. “It feels really good to be competitive with skiing that I know I can consistently do. It was nothing special for me, so competing with the top guys feels amazing.” 

The classic night event came a few weeks later than previous seasons, but it was a challenge nonetheless. Despite a large slew of snow just two nights before, the track had a solid surface for the 70+ athletes. In the first run, Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath outpaced the rest of the field with a half-second advantage over the rest of the top slalom racers. 

All three Stifel U.S. Ski Team men executed well on the first run. Jett Seymour landed in 17th and Ben Ritchie close behind in 22nd. Luke Winters, who ran wearing bib 72, was on pace for a second run but just barely missed the mark, landing in 31st. 

“It’s a great start to January. This is the best we have done since I have been a part of the U.S. slalom team so I know we have more to give,” said Ritchie. “Luke and Jett are skiing really well and it's only a matter of time it all works out for us.” 

Under the lights on the second run, the crowds were large and loud, cheering on each racer who made their way down the icy course. Ritchie was first up for the American group and fully executed his plan, knifing his way into the top position to sit in the leaderboard chair upwards of five racers. Ritchie moved up 14 positions from run one to two and ultimately landed in eighth place. 

Seymour ran just after Ritchie and was on track to have a great day as well, but unfortunately did not finish. The winner of the race was Bulgarian Albert Popov for his first World Cup win. Second place was Swiss Loic Meillard and third was Croatia's Samuel Kolega. 

The slalom men have a busy January to keep building on this momentum. The next race is just a few days away on Saturday Jan. 11 in Adelboden, Switzerland. 

RESULTS
Men's slalom