U18 Alpine National Champs Crowned at Copper
PARK CITY, UT (March 10, 2015) – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s National Training Group (NTG) athletes put on a strong showing at the 2015 U18 National Alpine Championships at Copper Mountain, CO. Eight NTG athletes found the podium after eight days of tech and speed events. For the first time, the championship event included two downhill races in addition to the super G, giant slalom and slalom.
On the tech side, Nina O’Brien took the slalom title for the women, besting her NTG teammate Megan McGrew. Burke Mountain Academy’s Madison Lord finished third. On the men’s side, River Radamus (NTG) claimed a 0.43 second victory over Stratton Mountain School’s George Steffey. A powerful second run propelled NTG/Sugarbowl athlete Luke Winters on to the podium in third. Winters also took home the men’s combined title.
U.S. development team member Stephanie Lebby led the women’s GS ahead of Galena Wardle (NTG). O’Brien claimed her second medal of the competition, finishing third. Burke Mountain Academy’s Patrick Kenney took the giant slalom win for the men, with Andrew Miller (Park City Ski Team) in second and Oliver Thompson (BMA) in third.
U18 National Champs wrapped up with three straight days of speed events. In the men’s downhill, Sky Kelsey (NTG) won the championship on the Speed Center track. Kenney finished second with Jack Despres (GMVS) in third. Norwegian Josefine Selvaag (BMA) took the win for the women, with Rachael DesRochers (NTG) and Isabella Wright (Snowbird) finishing second and third respectively. DesRochers also took home the women’s combined title.
The east coast was well represented on the super G podium. Christian Gallagher (BMA) raced to the win on the men’s side, followed by Logan Slattery (GMVS) and Kalle Wagner (BMA). Wright also walked away with two medals from the championships, finishing first in the super G ahead of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail’s Heidi Livran and Cecily Decker (NTG).
The race for the Regions Cup was close this year with only 18 points separating the East (198) and Rocky/Central (180). The Western Region was third (173).
This is the second year in a row that Copper Mountain has hosted the U18 championships. The race venue at Copper Mountain includes the U.S. Ski Team speed training venue that has hosted multiple NorAm Cup races and National Championships. Copper Mountain has been a long-standing partner of the U.S. Ski Team and continues to host Best in the World events for athletes at all levels.
RESULTS
Women's Slalom
Men's Slalom
Women's GS
Men's GS
Women's Super G
Men's Super G
Women's Downhill 1
Women's Downhill 2
Men's Downhill 1
Men's Downhill 2