Ford Takes Back-to-Back Wins at Copper NorAms

COPPER, CO (Dec. 2, 2015) – Tommy Ford (Bend, OR) proved victorious once again in the second NorAm giant slalom contested at Copper Mountain this season on Tuesday. In contrast to his previous day’s victory, which had Ford coming from the 14th position to ultimately win, this time he found himself leading after run one. When the dust finally settled after a nail-biting second run, Ford was left standing atop the podium flanked by a trio of Norwegians which included a tie for third place between Leif Kristian Haugen and Rasmus Windingstad.

“This makes me level and steady,” Ford said of his two victories. “I believe in myself a little bit more [after today]. I just stuck with an even head and skied well, and found a little extra gear today, so I was psyched on that.”

Ford was riding the thin line between glory and disaster during his second run and found himself in a bit of trouble on Lights Out pitch, bouncing low in a fast, steep section of the course. Undaunted by the mental lapse, Ford managed to make clean, crisp and powerful arcs through the final 10 gates of the course, besting Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde by a slim 0.11 seconds for the win.

“I was a little unsure because of that mistake, but then I came through and I was like, ‘Yes!’ I really needed that,” Ford said. “That’s going to set me up nice for the World Cup.”

The top junior was once again Loic Meillard of Switzerland, coming in fifth overall, 0.73 seconds behind Ford. With how Meillard has skied the past couple of days, don’t be surprised if the 19-year-old Junior World Champion makes a splash in his first trip to Beaver Creek this weekend.

Kipling Weisel (San Francisco, CA) was the next best American, landing in 15th place. Right behind him were Nick Kruase (Northboro, MA) and Brian McLaughlin (Topsfield, MA), who tied for 16th. Wrapping up the rest of the American finishers, Tommy Biesemeyer (Keene, NY) was 20th, Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starsboro, VT) 22nd, Brennan Rubie (Salt Lake City, UT) 24th, Griffin Brown (North Fayston, VT) 26th and Michael Ankeny (Deephaven, MN) 27th. Sandy Vietze (Warren, VT) was 40th with Taylor Shiffrin (Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) 41st and Thomas Woolson (Dartmouth Ski Team) 45th.

On-site reporting provided by Ski Racing.