YOG: Solid Skicross Showing for USA
LILLEHAMMER, Norway (Feb. 15, 2016) – The skicross event at the Winter Youth Olympic Games was contended on Monday. American Abigail Zagnoli (Kingfield, ME, Carrabassett Valley Academy) finished ninth for the ladies while Russell Malm (Mammoth Lakes, CA, Carrabassett Valley Academy) was 14th among the men.
It was a sunny day in Norway with five heat rounds. Each athlete raced against one another, gathering points and looking for a spot in the semis. The heats were action-packed with the Americans putting on a strong show, but neither making the eight-person semi-finals.
In the end, it was Talina Gantenbein of Switzerland taking home women’s gold with Zali Offord of Austria in second and Klara Kasparova of Czech Republic in third. For the men, Canadian Reece Howden dominated to a win with Xander Vercammen of Belgium taking the silver and Louis Muhlen of Austria bronze.
The Americans made up a strong team with Zagnoli and Malm. Zagnoli is an 18-year-old skier out of the Carrabassett Valley Academy in Maine. She spends time volunteering for Maine Handicap Skiing and has had a couple of podium finishes on the Nor-Am Cup circuit. Malm hails from Mammoth Lakes, CA where he attends Mammoth High School. Malm competed in alpine skiing for 14 years before transitioning to skicross in 2010 and was the 2014 national skicross champion in the 12-15 age group.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Russell Malm finished 14th for the men in skicross.
- Abigail Zagnoli finished ninth for the women in skicross.
- The International Olympic Committee’s Youth Olympic Games offers a competitive venue for young athletes to not only compete, but also participate in a Learn & Share program designed to inspire and empower youth.