USA Second in Hahnenkamm Juniors

KITZBUHEL, Austria (Jan. 21. 2015)— The USA’s stars of the future were second recently at Hahnenkamm Juniors 2015. Members and nominees of the U.S. U16 National Training Group traveled to Tyrol to compete in the juniors race held in conjunction with the Hahnenkamm. The skiers raced one giant slalom run and one slalom run on the world-renowned Ganslernhang. In the end, the U16 skiers representing the United States took second overall, finishing behind the home-country team from Tirol.

“It was a great two days. We skied the Kitzbuehel the day before and watched some of the World Cup downhill training runs,” said Michael Rogan, the U16 NTG coach that led the group. “The downhill training was canceled on race days, so we were the main attraction.  Both slalom and giant slalom were raced on the World Cup slalom slope. It was injected, very hard and icy. The amount of variation in the terrain is invisible on TV.”

With steep pitches and gnarly terrain, the Ganslernhang track was a challenging venue for the young skiers. Added Rogan: “Because of the format, a team combined score, it was important that everyone did their best not only for their personal performance but for the team. We were one of the few teams that had all six racers complete both their runs.”

The athletes inspect the course before their slalom run in Kitzbuehel.  

Keely Cashman (Squaw Valley, CA) was the top finisher for the U.S. team, placing 10th overall. And, Cashman’s teammates Nellie Rose Talbot (Vail, CO) and Jennie Symons (Vail, CO) were right behind. Bridger Gile (Vail, CO) was the top finisher on the boys’ side for the U.S. team, followed by Hunter Brayton (Waterville Valley, NH) and Fredie Schneider (Burke, VT). Selected athlete, Dexter Edelman (Aspen, CO) was unable to race, however he foreran the course and provided valuable feedback for his teammates.

2015 marked the first time the United States participated in this event. Next up, all attention points towards the upcoming stateside 2015 World Championships at Vail/Beaver Creek, CO. The FIS Alpine World Championships take place February 2–15, 2015.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Athletes representing USSA club programs in Aspen, Vail, Burke, Waterville Valley,Squaw Valley and Park City competed for the United States.
• This was the first time the U.S. participated in the event, taking second.
• Atheltes competing were either U16 National Training Group members or nominees.

QUOTES
Michael Rogan, U16 NTG Coach
It was a great two days. We skied Kitzbuehel the day before and watched some of the World Cup downhill training runs. The downhill training was cancelled on race days, so we were the main attraction. Both slalom and giant slalom were raced on the World Cup slalom slope. It was injected, very hard and icy. The amount of variation in the terrain is invisible on TV. The kids raced one run of GS and one run of slalom.

Barbara Thaler and the race organizing committee were very happy to have a team from the USA in Austria. The entire town was a wonderful host for these juniors.  There was a parade through the town square and a very lengthy opening ceremony that included a memorial to [Austrian] Toni Sailer. 

Because of the format, a team combined score, it was important that everyone did their best not only for their personal performance, but for the team. We were one of the few teams that had all six racers complete both their runs.

RESULTS
Hahnenkamm juniors results