COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (April 6, 2017) – Mikaela Shiffrin's (Eagle-Vail, CO) standout performance last month earned her a Best of March honor from the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Team USA Awards.

In March, Shiffrin won her first overall FIS World Cup crystal globe at the World Cup Finals in Aspen, making her the only one of five American athletes to win the esteemed title, and only the third American woman in history to do so. In addition to the overall title, she also won her fourth slalom crystal globe in five years and three World Cups during the month’s 31 days. Shiffrin beat out four other nominees, with the voting determined by National Governing Body representatives and select members of the media, as well as online fan voting.

Along with Shiffrin, USA Baseball pitcher Marcus Stroman and the U.S. World Baseball Classic Team also won Best of March honors. Because of their awards, Stroman, Shiffrin and the WBC champions are among the qualified athletes and teams eligible for Best of the Year honors in 2017.  

 

PARK CITY, UT (April 4, 2017) – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association is moving forward with hosting Audi FIS Ski World Cup stops at Killington Resort and Beaver Creek Resort during the 2017-18 season. Both resorts are part of a comprehensive USSA event calendar that will be presented to the International Ski Federation during its annual meetings next month in Portoroz, Slovenia.

“Killington and Beaver Creek are both dedicated partners who, along with Aspen and Squaw Valley, have demonstrated their commitment to showcasing our athletes and growing the sport of alpine ski racing,” said USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “We’ve seen strong performances from our athletes at both venues and look forward to giving them the opportunity to ski on home snow as they vie for their Olympic spots.”


The 2016 Killington World Cup was the first race held on the east coast since 1991. (U.S. Ski Team)

The USSA saw strong athletic performances, fan attendance and TV audiences throughout its four U.S. World Cup stops in 2016-17, culminating with World Cup Finals in Aspen, one of the biggest showcases of ski racing the U.S. outside of the World Championships. The event at Killington was the first World Cup in New England in over 20 years, drawing more than 30,000 spectators over the course of two days and providing U.S. Ski Team athletes the opportunity to engage with skiers and fans in the New England skiing community. The proposed agreement between the resort and USSA includes World Cup stops in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.

“Our partnership with Killington and POWDR Corp. to bring ski racing back to the east coast produced one of the most successful event weekends we’ve seen,” said Calum Clark, USSA’s vice president, events. “The Killington team worked tirelessly to put on a great event and inspire thousands of young athletes. The prospect of returning for events during and after the Olympic season gives us the opportunity to further build on that success and grow the event’s impact.”

Host of the 1989, 1999 and 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, and annual Birds of Prey World Cup, Vail/Beaver Creek has been an integral part of the FIS Alpine World Cup since its inception in 1967. Beaver Creek's Birds of Prey has become one of the most acclaimed speed venues in the world.


Fans pack the stadium for the men's downhill at Beaver Creek. (U.S. Ski Team)

“The men’s races at Beaver Creek are some of the most highly anticipated races on tour,” said Clark. “The Birds of Prey event is iconic and the community is rich with ski racing history. There is no better venue to showcase our U.S. Ski Team speed stars in an Olympic season.”

The USSA anticipates a comprehensive broadcast and live streaming package for both events across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

The final Audi FIS Ski World Cup calendar is expected to be approved after the FIS Calendar Conference meetings, which conclude on May 28.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The USSA is proposing Killington Resort and Beaver Creek Resort as the U.S. Audi FIS Ski World Cup stops for the 2017-18 season.
• The World Cup calendar will be presented to, and is expected to be approved by, the FIS during its annual meetings in May.
• The USSA’s agreement with Killington includes calendar proposals for both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
• Killington hosted women’s giant slalom and slalom races during the 2016-17 season, drawing more than 30,000 spectators over the two events.
• A three-time World Championships host and World Cup stop since 1967, Beaver Creek has become one of the most acclaimed speed venues in the world.
• The USSA anticipates a comprehensive broadcast and live streaming package for both events across NBC and NBC Sports Network.

QUOTES

Tiger Shaw, President and CEO, USSA
Killington and Beaver Creek are both dedicated partners who, along with Aspen and Squaw Valley, have demonstrated their commitment to showcasing our athletes and growing the sport of alpine ski racing. We’ve seen strong performances from our athletes at both venues and look forward to giving them the opportunity to ski on home snow as they vie for their Olympic spots.

Calum Clark, Vice President, Events, USSA
Our partnership with Killington and POWDR Corp. to bring ski racing back to the east coast produced one of the most successful event weekends we’ve seen. The Killington team worked tirelessly to put on a great event and inspire thousands of young athletes. The prospect of returning for events during and after the Olympic season gives us the opportunity to further build on that success and grow the event’s impact.

The men’s races at Beaver Creek are some of the most highly anticipated races on tour. The Birds of Prey event is iconic and the community is rich with ski racing history. There is no better venue to showcase our U.S. Ski Team speed stars in an Olympic season.

Mike Solimano, President and General Manager, Killington
Establishing a multi-year World Cup schedule here at Killington is an incredible opportunity for the resort and the surrounding community. I was blown away by the sheer size of the crowd last year, and their enthusiasm leads me to believe that we’ll bring in even more spectators this year to watch the fastest female ski races in the world take on the Superstar trail. We used every cold period in October and November to build a world-class race venue on Superstar, and getting the job done so early in the season showcased our snowmaking system as an industry-leading powerhouse. With the support of our community, I am excited to again showcase Killington and the entire state of Vermont to the international ski market.

Mike Imhof, President and CEO, Vail Valley Foundation
The passion for ski racing in this country and our Vail/Beaver Creek community has been phenomenal in recent years. From our 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships to the additional World Cup stops hosted in the USA this past year, we’ve seen a renewed energy around all of the American race events and we are looking forward to hosting one of the most exciting weekends in alpine racing when Birds of Prey returns to Beaver Creek this December. We can’t wait. 

From local ski hills to the PyeongChang Olympics, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) encompasses all athletes that share a passion for skiing and snowboarding. We explore what makes each skier and rider a champion with stories from the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing, next to kids winning a NASTAR medal, landing their first cork 7 or joining a club team. Alongside USSA’s mascot Champ, take a look at how all of these athletes strive to be Best in the World.

As we continue to explore what makes USSA athletes champions, we’re learning more than we ever expected. To be a champion is holistic – it goes beyond the medals and the titles. It’s someone with great character and an undying belief in themselves; it’s someone who loves their sport with an unmatched passion—whether they’re still actively pursuing it or not. We are honored to share these stories with you. In this installation, Alpine Press Officer Megan Harrod sits down with U.S. Ski Team alumnus, American Downhiller founder Marco Sullivan, to discuss #WhatMakesAChamp.

Not only does Marco Sullivan have the most inviting smile and demeanor on and off the mountain, he’s a four-time Olympian who has stood on top of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup podium in Chamonix, France. He also holds the record among American Downhillers for the most downhill World Cup starts, with 105—Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) has 104—locked in during the Kvitfjell, Norway World Cup in 2016 and he is the mastermind behind the American Downhiller concept. He also might have the biggest and most dedicated official fan club there is. Because he's just that darn likable. Seriously. He has a heart so big and a spirit so warm he could melt the snow off the mountain.

The Marco Sullivan fan club cheering him on at Birds of Brey in Beaver Creek, CO. (Tom Kelly)

Like many other hard-charging U.S. Ski Team athletes, Sullivan grew up in Squaw Valley, CA crushing Lake Tahoe and skiing for the Squaw Valley Ski Team. In fact, one of his earliest memories was crushing it down a snow-covered gravel hill in his backyard at the age of three. That’s where his passion for the mountain all started, and it carried him through a 15-year career with the U.S. Ski Team.

While he was on the Team, Sullivan created his personal website, americandownhiller.com. Little did he know, that website would grow into something much bigger than himself, including a series of webisodes created by Ski Racing and POC, a line of clothing and accessories by POC, a Spyder speed suit for the American Downhiller men, and now, a business—with the introduction of the American Downhiller Speed Skills Camp at Mammoth Mountain this spring. 

The American Downhiller crew’s mission? To empower young ski racers to approach their career with champion-grade passion, genuine curiosity and formidable tenacity. Sullivan and teammates came together in this endeavor in an effort to pay it forward to the next generation of American Downhillers.

“My ex-teammates and I have spent the majority of our adult lives learning how to ski fast and practicing those skills over and over,” said Sullivan. “We are part of a small group who have lived that journey and we feel the need to pass along what we have learned to the next generation of kids who want to represent their country as downhill ski racers.” Those “ex-teammates” Sullivan speaks of? None other than the legendary Daron Rahlves, Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT), Alice McKennis (New Castle, CO), Leanne Smith (North Conway, NH), Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, CA) and former U.S. Ski Team World Cup downhill coaches Johno McBride and Chris Brigham. Talk about an all-star staff.

Marco Sullivan celebrates with teammates Steven Nyman, Andrew Weibrecht and Travis Ganong with an American flag, champagne and the highly coveted American Downhiller Levi's denim vest at Kvitfjell, Norway. (Jon Olav Nesvold/AFP/Getty Images)

Their vision for the camp stems from the fact that competing at the World Cup level is extremely difficult, and lessons learned by athletes and staff en route to becoming the best in the world are invaluable. As Sullivan noted, “The whole American Downhiller crew is very enthusiastic about passing those lessons on to the next generation of racers. Ultimately, I want American Downhiller to be the link between current World Cup racers and the kids who are chasing that dream of becoming the best.”  

The 2008 Chamonix podium, featuring Didier Cuche, Marco Sullivan and Andrej Jerman. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)

Sullivan is looking forward to creating that bridge and staying connected to the sport that has helped him grow into the special soul he is. After one year of retirement, Sullivan has reflected on just how special it is to live the life athletes experience, traveling the world and seeing places most would only dream of. What does he miss most about traveling the "White Circus"?

“It was always cool rolling into town and being part of the show,” Sullivan reflected. “Nice hotels, all the best amenities, racers on the World Cup are definitely spoiled and that was always fun. I skied a ton this winter, mostly with powder skis and mostly when nobody was watching so that was fulfilling in a different kind of way.” Indeed it was a good year out in California, with record snowfall and a ton of opportunity to get some good skiing in with former Alpine Canada World Cup athlete Anna Goodman—also his future wife.

Marco Sullivan celebrates with teammates and fiance Anna Goodman following the final run of his career at U.S. Alpine Championships in Sun Valley, Idaho, in 2016. (USSA)

Sullivan ended his career with the U.S. Ski Team in style, donning lederhosen and that signature Marco Sullivan grin in Sun Valley in 2016, and we’re looking forward to following him as he helps to craft the next generation of American Downhillers. Plus, you can also find him as a NASTAR pacesetter—inspiring kids to ski as fast as he can. We asked Sullivan our three questions on what he believes makes a champion. All we have to say is, #MARCOROCKS!

U.S. SKI TEAM: In your words, what makes a champion?
Marco Sullivan: A champion to me is someone who fulfills their dream. We all have something that we want, but to go after that and make it a reality takes courage, confidence and hard work. Champions have the ability to find their own path, amid all of life's distractions, and achieve their dreams.

U.S. SKI TEAM: Do you remember the first time you felt like a champion?
MS: At the 2002 Olympics, after a great result in the downhill, I was standing in the finish area with my parents, family and friends. We were all so happy, and I understood then that it was not about me, it was about the moment and the journey that everybody had taken to get there. Champions have the ability to make everybody around them a better person and that moment inspired me through the rest of my career.

U.S. SKI TEAM: What is the biggest piece of advice you have for U.S. Ski Team athletes who want to be sitting where you are today?
MS: Set your goals high and surround yourself with people who will inspire you and help you along your path. Whatever you truly want in your heart you can achieve it. Don't get distracted, but also don't take yourself too seriously, and have a lot of fun along the way! 

DON’T MISS OUT
Make sure to register for the American Downhiller camp from May 16-21 for ages U14-U21. Spots are filling up fast! If those dates don't work for you, three-time Olympian and current U.S. Ski Team athlete Stacey Cook also hosts her “Chix on Stix” camp at Mammoth from April 29-30.

Make sure to follow the watch the American Downhiller Episode 1 and Episode 2, and follow American Downhillers via Facebook and Instagram. Follow Marco, too!

PARK CITY, UT (Mar. 31, 2017) – Four U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association athletes have been nominated for the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Team USA Awards, Best of March. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of Team USA athletes from the month of March.

The athletes included in the nominations are U.S. Freeskiing’s McRae Williams (Park City, UT), U.S. Snowboarding’s Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT), U.S. Freestyle Ski Team’s Ashley Caldwell (Ashburn, VA) and U.S. Alpine Ski Team’s Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO).

(Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Laurent Salino)

Williams had a stellar March, highlighted by winning gold at the World Championships in slopestyle. He also took second in the final World Cup of the season in Silvaplana and brought home the FIS slopestyle crystal globe, naming him the best slopestyle skier of the 2016-17 season.

(Getty Images/AFP-Javier Soriano)

Jacobellis continued to reign queen of snowboardcross, as she won an unprecedented fifth-consecutive World Championships title, continuing her undefeated streak. She is the most decorated snowboarder in any event.

(Getty Images-Clive Rose)

Caldwell is the first American woman in 22 years to claim the women’s aerials World Championships title when she won gold in Sierra Nevada. With her winning jump, she also became the first woman ever to land a quadruple twisting triple flip in competition.

(Getty Images-Tom Pennington)

In Aspen, Shiffrin took home her fourth slalom globe in five years and the overall crystal globe, becoming only the fifth American alpine skier in history to claim the overall World Cup title. She also took three World Cup podiums in the month of March.

Fans are asked to vote for their favorite athletes through midnight on Tuesday, April 4. Each finalist is also considered for the 2017 Team USA Awards, Best of the Year. Click here to vote.

ASPEN, CO (Mar. 29, 2017) - The U.S. Ski Team wrapped up the Audi FIS Ski World Cup season recently with a spectacular week of racing at the World Cup Finals in Aspen. More than 30,000 fans packed the stadium with estimated global TV audiences of over 25 million tuning in, including more than two million U.S. viewers on NBC and NBCSN. It was the first time World Cup Finals were held in the USA in 20 years and the first time ever an American alpine skier received an overall crystal globe on home snow.

The Finals capped one of the biggest seasons of alpine World Cup ski racing in America. The USA came into the season with 16 races - one of the biggest calendars in history. World Cup weekends at some of America’s most noted resorts, including Killington, Squaw Valley and Aspen, drew in excess of 75,000 fans. Despite a strong snow season at Beaver Creek, races there were canceled due to late arriving snowfall.

The strong U.S. World Cup calendar was part of an initiative by U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association to piggyback on the very successful 2015 World Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek to further elevate awareness of alpine ski racing in America and great American stars like Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin who were both on the podium in Aspen.

More than 26,000 fans attended the Audi FIS Ski World Cup at Killington in Vermont. (U.S. Ski Team)

“Aspen has such a culture of ski racing and that really came out in the atmosphere all week long,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Vice President, Events Calum Clark. “Race hill management was superb, providing excellent courses for the athletes and fair competitions despite warm temperatures. In town, the festivities at Wagner Park from sponsor booths to the Michael Franti concert created an enthusiastic environment for fans.”

The U.S. won the bid for the World Cup Finals in Aspen in June of 2014, which opened the doors to adding new World Cups in Killington and Squaw Valley.

“We now have four iconic American ski resorts that have shown they can produce truly world class events,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “Each site did a remarkable job in providing the best racing surfaces for the athletes, plus creating an atmosphere that brought record numbers of fans to the events - much as Vail/Beaver Creek did two years ago for World Championships.”

Racing kicked off in November in Killington with some of the biggest crowds in women’s World Cup history to watch France’s Tessa Worley win the giant slalom and Shiffrin take the slalom - both going on to win the respective crystal globes. More than 26,000 fans packed the venue as World Cup racing returned to racing-rich New England for the first time in 25 years.

Squaw Valley produced remarkable racing on Red Dog for the women with Shiffrin sweeping the weekend. With a strong community culture for ski racing, and 20,000 fans on hand for the two-race weekend.

Mikaela Shiffrin won the Audi FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom in front of thousands of spectators in Squaw Valley, California. (U.S. Ski Team)

The return of springtime racing to Aspen brought back memories of the men’s tour years ago. Sunshine and blue skies greeted fans, with perfect course conditions for the athletes. Vonn opened the week finishing second in the women's downhill. A few days later, Shiffrin took second in the final slalom, walking away with the slalom crystal globe and the women’s overall title.

“Athletes, fans and sponsors all had a remarkable experience in Aspen,” said Shaw. “Aspen is an iconic site on the World Cup tour and we want to return in the future.”

Every U.S. race was broadcast live or same day on NBC or NBCSN, along with live streaming on NBCsports.com and the NBC Sports app. More than 20 hours were broadcast on national television, plus live primetime coverage in Europe, as well as live coverage into China.

"The multi-year commitment of the USSA, our media partners and resorts have truly advanced the awareness of alpine ski racing in America and its corresponding sponsorship value," said USSA Chief Marketing Officer Michael Jaquet. "Central to this has been the success of our U.S. Ski Team star athletes over the past few years and our ability to showcase that through our events on national television."

The success of the three weekends of alpine ski racing will be a part of what is anticipated to be a record year of broadcast reach in America, expected to eclipse the 24 million viewers from the World Championship year two seasons ago.

The USSA is presently working with American World Cup sites to present its calendar proposal to the International Ski Federation for the 2017-18 Audi FIS Ski World Cup calendar, which will be determined by FIS in May. 

SUGARLOAF, ME (Mar. 28, 2017) – In the final race of the U.S. Alpine Championships Tuesday in Sugarloaf, Maine, Hig Roberts (Steamboat Springs, CO) edged out seven-time national champion Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV – U.S. Ski Team) for the giant slalom national title.

Roberts, a former U.S. Ski Team and Middlebury College athlete, showed courage and strength in rugged conditions – powering through the thick fog to his first national title. Jitloff was second, just .14 seconds off the pace and 2016 national giant slalom champion Kieffer Christianson (Anchorage, AK) finished third, .29 seconds out. Tanguy Nef, who hails from Switzerland and competes for Dartmouth, was the top junior of the day, grabbing eighth.

Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT – U.S. Ski Team) who grabbed the national title in this year’s super G, posted the fastest time in a rainy, challenging first run, but DNFed second run. Roberts was well-aware that Cochran-Siegle and Jitloff would be charging second run and “sent it for Murph” – his brother, who passed away last August – to come out on top. Though he was ecstatic to win, he wished Murphy were there to cheer him on.

“These days are awesome…but It’s very tough,” said Roberts. “I believe that I’m doing this for a reason, and I’m doing well right now because I’m keeping him close to my heart and I’m not letting that special bond and push he always had for me go away. Every run is for Murphy…he’s the last thing I think about before I push out of the start gate, and that run I came down the pitch and got bumped around, and I actually yelled his name out, so I’ve – in a lot of ways – made this season about him. He wants me to keep charging, so that’s what I’m doing.”

A stoked 2017 giant slalom podium at Sugarloaf, from left to right - Kieffer Christianson (third), Hig Roberts (first) and Tim Jitloff (second). (U.S. Ski Team - Reese Brown)

Jitloff won his first national title at Sugarloaf in 2008 and has skied on the famed Narrow Gauge track a lot.  “I do have an affection for the hill,” Jitloff reflected. “I’ve obviously had some great results here. National titles aren’t that easy to get. I have seven of them, and each one of those was hard work to get – it wasn’t an easy thing to do.” But he gave credit where credit is due, congratulating Roberts on his victory. “I think Hig can be pretty proud of himself today. He skied great in very challenging, difficult conditions.”

Christianson – who, like Roberts, skis independently – was happy to share the podium with Roberts after a challenging season. “We both skied independently this year,” Christianson said, “and had to do our own logistics and find our own training – so to share the podium here at U.S. nationals is just awesome.”

In the 2017 U.S. Alpine Championships' Tom Garner Regions Cup, the East came out on top, beating out the West by a slim six-point margin – 2089 to 2083.

Tuesday’s giant slalom marks the end of U.S. Alpine Championships and the official end of the season for the U.S. Ski Team. Athletes will now get a small break before they head to their first 2018 prep camps of the year.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hig Roberts powered through thick fog to win his first national title in Tuesday’s giant slalom – the final event of U.S. Alpine Championships in Sugarloaf, Maine.
• Tim JItloff, seven-time national champion, who won his first national giant slalom title in Sugarloaf in 2008, was second.
• 2016 national giant slalom champion Kieffer Christianson finished third.
• Switzerland’s Tanguy Nef – who competes for Dartmouth – was the top junior, finishing in eighth.
• In the 2017 U.S. Alpine Championships Tom Garner Regions Cup, the East came out on top, beating out the West by a slim six-point margin – 2089 to 2083.
   

QUOTES

Hig Roberts
[On skiing independently, and losing his brother earlier this season]
It’s been a very weird season for me…I’ve been independent this year, so a lot of this has been on my own. I’ve had a lot of help from the community in a lot of ways, but being away from my family is insanely hard a lot of the time. Sometimes, it’s hard to find people to really connect with on this level. It’s a very tough thing to go through, but this season – I wish it wasn’t like this and I would do anything not for it to be like this – but I find deep internal motivation for my little brother, because we had a lot of bonds around ski racing.

I’ve always kind of been the underdog, and he has as well, and he always saw me as someone who could do anything and keep pushing this dream I have. To not have him here is the most empty feeling in the world. These days are awesome – but you want to have a call with him, you want him to text you. It’s very tough. But, I believe that I’m doing this for a reason, and I’m doing well right now because I’m keeping him close to my heart and I’m not letting that special bond and push he always had for me go away. Every run is for Murphy. I wear a “Send it for Murph” sticker on my helmet…he’s the last thing I think about before I push out of the start gate, and that run I came down the pitch and got bumped around, and I actually yelled his name out, so I’ve – in a lot of ways – made this season about him. He wants me to keep charging, so that’s what I’m doing.

Tim Jitloff
The top was pretty dark, and the bottom was pretty much zero visibility so it was definitely challenging. It opened up a little in the middle there, but it had all of the makings of a challenging second run. The conditions were really, really difficult…visibility was difficult. I tried to fight through as best I could; I found myself in some trouble – I went on my hip in the top section there, just because I was trying to go for it. Then, after that, I think I was just trying to really stay consistent the way down. It was very difficult today. Full credit to Hig (Roberts) for winning the race, and staying strong through that.

I’ve raced here a lot. I do have an affection for the hill. I’ve obviously had some great results here. National titles aren’t that easy to get. I have seven of them, and each one of those was hard work to get – it wasn’t an easy thing to do. I think Hig can be pretty proud of himself today. He skied great, in very challenging, difficult conditions.

Kieffer Christianson
It feels great to be on the podium. I think I competed as well as I could today. My GS hasn’t been totally on form…I didn’t feel totally in sync with my skiing, but mentally I was really on it today and was able to compete. I came out here and performed better than I have pretty much all season, so I’m super proud of that. And, to share it with Hig (Roberts), is just awesome. We both skied independently this year, and had to do our own logistics and find our own training – so to share the podium here at U.S. nationals is just awesome.

RESULTS
Men’s giant slalom

SUGARLOAF, ME (March 28, 2017) – Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR) sustained a right knee injury during the giant slalom at U.S. Alpine Championships at Sugarloaf on Monday and is currently being evaluated. Her return to competition is undetermined.

Ross, 2017 super G national champion, finished the 2017 season on a high note with three top-10 finishes and two top fives across super G and downhill on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup circuit – including a fourth place at the Olympic test event at Jeongseon Alpine Centre. She will look to come back strong for the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang.

 

After a fun and wonderful season I am so sad to announce that yesterday, at US Nationals, I sustained an injury to my right knee. Further analysis is required to figure out exactly what is wrong, but I will not be skiing for at least the next couple months. I will keep you all updated when the time comes. I crossed so many finish lines this year -- some with a smile and some without -- but as I look back I can breathe deeply, because I have no regrets. It was a season for learning, for friendship, and for ambition. I had many ups and downs, but am so thankful to have made it this far in my career with all the love and support that surrounds me. I will tack this on to my list of injuries, move on, and come back stronger. I can't wait to step up to the challenges that lay ahead of me, and I couldn't do it without all of your support. Thank-you so much for being there, through thick and through thin, through the wins, the losses, the injuries, and the joy I will be back

A post shared by Laurenne Ross (@lalalaurenne) on

Mar 28, 2017 at 1:04pm PDT

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, ME (March 27, 2017) – Megan McJames (Park City, UT – Western Region) walked away from U.S. Alpine Championships in Sugarloaf, Maine with her career first national title in Monday’s giant slalom.

McJames continued her end of season fire, topping the podium and grabbing her first national title despite some challenging New England conditions with gusting winds and snowfall. Former U.S. Ski Team athlete and current Dartmouth Big Green standout Foreste Peterson was .33 seconds off the pace, with Patricia Mangan (Derby, NY – U.S. Ski Team), who also attends Dartmouth, rounding out the podium in third, 1.82 out.

Mangan was also the top junior of the day, followed by Galena Wardle (Basalt, CO – U.S. Ski Team) and Keely Cashman (Strawberry, CA – U.S. Ski Team) – who finished fourth and sixth overall, respectively.

Patricia Mangan was the top junior in Monday's gnarly giant slalom, finishing third. (U.S. Ski Team - Reese Brown)

Though Mother Nature provided quite the test for the women, McJames and Peterson both commented on their confidence in the surface on the track, thanks to the tireless work of the course crew at Sugarloaf. “It was some of the craziest conditions I think I’ve ever raced in,” said Peterson, “but I was so confident in the snow because it was so good first run so I just knew that I could stand on it and push it.”

For McJames – as an independent athlete who is her own technician – the win was extra sweet and the cherry on top of a long, arduous season on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup circuit. “Today I wanted it, and it was tough conditions, but I think if there’s anything I’ve learned in the last four years of being an independent skier it’s that perseverance is the name of the game,” noted McJames.

McJames, who is coached by boyfriend and former U.S. Ski Team athlete Cody Marshall, co-founder of Groundswell Athletics, is proud to end the season with a victory and show that all of her hard work has paid off. “I’ve been skiing well and I’m proud of it, and so I’m happy that it paid off today,” said McJames. “This time of year, things that I do as an independent skier – like tuning my skis and everything – starts to catch up because everyone’s a little bit tired. So, to be able to pull it off the last race of the year I feel happy.”

The U.S. Alpine Championships will wrap up on Tuesday, with men’s giant slalom.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Megan McJames won Monday’s giant slalom, grabbing her career first national title.
• Former U.S. Ski Team athlete and current Dartmouth athlete Foreste Peterson was second, just .33 off McJames’ pace.
• Patricia Mangan was the top junior, finishing third.
• The U.S. Alpine Championships will conclude on Tuesday, with men’s giant slalom.
   

QUOTES
Megan McJames
I have had the combined win, but I’ve never won an event. Today I wanted it, and it was tough conditions, but I think if there’s anything I’ve learned in the last four years of being an independent skier it’s that perseverance is the name of the game. I’ve been skiing well and I’m proud of it, and so I’m happy that it paid off today. This time of year, things that I do as an independent skier – like tuning my skis and everything – starts to catch up because everyone’s a little bit tired. So, to be able to pull it off the last race of the year I feel happy.

Forest Peterson
I surprised myself with my results this year – just given I am a full-time student and I’m not training full time. It definitely feels pretty sweet. It was some of the craziest conditions I think I’ve ever raced in, but I was so confident in the snow because it was so good first run so I just knew that I could stand on it and push it.

Patricia Mangan
It’s crazy weather – super windy and a lot of snow – but everyone was kind of in the same spot at the start, so I knew that everybody else was going to step up so I had to as well. It feels really good (to be on the podium). GS skiing has been getting better, slowly, so it’s nice to have things come together in my final race of the season.
 

RESULTS
Women’s giant slalom

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, ME (March 26, 2017) – Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY – U.S. Ski Team) and AJ Ginnis (Vouliagmeni, Greece – U.S. Ski Team) were victorious under a sunny, bluebird spring day in Sunday’s slalom at the U.S. Alpine Championships in Sugarloaf, Maine.  

On the women’s side, Stiegler found herself atop the podium at U.S. Alpine Championships for the first time since 2007, when she won both the giant slalom and slalom national titles. Canadian Roni Remme, who skis for the University of Utah, was second, while Lila Lapanja (Incline Village, NV – U.S. Ski Team) was third. Nina O’Brien (Edwards, CO – U.S. Ski Team), who was the junior champion in Saturday's super G, was the top junior finisher once again, landing in seventh.

Resi Stiegler stands atop the podium with Roni Remme in second and Lila Lapanja in third. (U.S. Ski Team - Reese Brown)

It’s been a career full of ups and downs for the veteran Stiegler, who was stoked to find her way back to the top of the podium. “I won the year I got injured, and I haven’t won since,” Stiegler said. “I’ve been second to Canadians for quite a few years, so I thought, ‘I’ve gotta get this one!’ 

"It’s fun to be national champion," continued Stiegler. "A win feels good, no matter what it is, where it is, or how it is. If you come home and you’re in front of a home crowd, with all of the kids you race and train all year with – it just feels good to be here in general.”

David Chodounsky finished second in the national championships. (U.S. Ski Team - Reese Brown)

It was Ginnis’ first national title, and he had stiff competition. Four-time national champion and tech team leader David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO – U.S. Ski Team) – who is one of the best slalom skiers in the world – landed in second by just 15 hundredths of a second while World Cup mainstay Michael Ankeny (Deephaven, MN – U.S. Ski Team) rounded out the podium in third. All three U.S. Ski Team athletes have attended or are currently attending Dartmouth. Erik Arvidsson (Woodside, CA – U.S. Ski Team) was the top junior, finishing seventh.

In a tricky second run course set, Ginnis was able to get the edge on the field and landed his very first national title by “doing something special and pushing really hard.” He was stoked to end the season on a high note. “It feels incredible to win this national title,” said Ginnis. “David [Chodounsky] is our leader; he’s the captain of our team – beating him is extremely tough. So to be able to edge him out today – I’m really, really happy. We’re back in the U.S., it’s sunny and warm in Sugarloaf – what could be better?”

The good vibes keep rolling on in Sugarloaf, with athletes happy to ski in the sunshine and finish the season in front of a home crowd. Just ask Lapanja, who loves finishing the season at U.S. Alpine Championships. “Nationals really fills another part of my soul up as a ski racer that other races in the season just don’t in the same way,” reflected Lapanja. “I don’t know why, but I come to U.S. nationals and I totally own it. I love being here, and it’s my last opportunity to podium and show the world where I belong. It’s a really cool feeling.”

Athletes will now shift their focus and look ahead to giant slalom, with the U.S. Alpine Championships continuing Monday with women’s giant slalom and Tuesday with men’s giant slalom.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Resi Stiegler won her third national title and second national slalom title – the first in 10 years – on Sunday in Sugarloaf.
• The last time Stiegler won a national title was 2007 in Alyeska, AK.
• AJ Ginnis won his career-first national title, unseating teammate and four-time national champion David Chodounsky. Chodounsky had won the title in the last three seasons (’14, ’15, ’16).
• All three U.S. Ski Team athletes on the slalom podium – AJ Ginnis, David Chodounsky and Michael Ankeny – have attended or are currently attending Dartmouth.
• For the second consecutive day, Nina O’Brien was the top junior, finishing seventh. Erik Arvidsson was the top junior on the men’s side, finishing seventh.
• The U.S. Alpine Championships continues Monday in Sugarloaf, Maine with women’s giant slalom and Tuesday with men’s giant slalom.

QUOTES
Resi Stiegler
I won the year I got injured, and I haven’t won since. I’ve been second to Canadians for quite a few years, so I thought, ‘I’ve gotta get this one!’ It’s fun to be national champion. A win feels good, no matter what it is, where it is, or how it is. If you come home, and you’re in front of a home crowd, with all of the kids you race and train all year with – it just feels good to be here in general.

[On continuing to work towards her World Cup podium goal]
We got a new coach, Magnus (Andersson) last year, and he wasn’t there for our prep period and I think that’s really going to be the game-changer for me this year because he had such good stuff for me that I learned during the winter. You can learn and get it as fast as you want, but to put it into race day and get that consistency is hard. I felt it a couple of races, with a couple of top 10 finishes, but lost it at the end of the season. Now that we have him this whole summer, I can train what we were discussing and make it a habit – and hopefully that’ll do it.

Lila Lapanja
It feels good to be on the podium again. I’ve had a really challenging season, so I really wanted this podium. The course conditions were awesome, and I’m really proud of it. For me, I’m a performer, and I love performing at big events – and U.S. nationals really fills another part of my soul up as a ski racer that other races in the season just don’t in the same way. I don’t know why, but I come to U.S. nationals and I just totally own it. I love being here, and it’s my last opportunity to podium and show the world where I belong. It’s a really cool feeling.

AJ Ginnis
It feels incredible to win this national title. David (Chodounsky) is our leader; he’s the captain of our team – beating him is extremely tough. So to be able to edge him out today – I’m really, really happy. We’re back in the U.S., it’s sunny and warm in Sugarloaf – what could be better?!

My mom came out for these races from North Carolina. I’m so happy she’s here. Pushing out of the gate you could hear the crowd go nuts for Dave, so I knew I had to do something really special, and I pushed it really hard.

David Chodounsky
AJ’s been working hard – he’s been working his butt off – so he deserves it 100 percent. I put my best out there, but he beat me. So he deserves it. Props to him; good job! I’ll do the GS here and then I’m going to go home. I’m very excited to go home and take some time off.

Michael Ankeny
It’s still U.S. nationals – we’ve got David Chodounsky, who’s top 25 in the world; AJ Ginnis, who was 13^th the first run in Madonna; Mark Engel, who was third first run in Zagreb. So, the competition here doesn’t feel much different (than a World Cup); it’s just a little more casual. My family – my mom, my brother and all of my friends from Dartmouth – were able to come up. So you get that sort of home crowd feel that some of the girls might have felt at Killington or Squaw World Cups, but we haven’t really gotten this year. It’s just a really fun environment.

RESULTS
Women’s slalom
Men’s slalom

For all things U.S. Alpine Champs, make sure to check out the event website. 

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, ME (March 25, 2017) – Laurenne Ross (Bend, Oregon – U.S. Ski Team) and Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT – U.S. Ski Team) claimed the top of the podium in Saturday's super G at the U.S. Alpine Championships at Sugarloaf.

After some fresh snowfall Friday night, the course crew at Sugarloaf had their work cut out for them for Saturday’s super G. Though the fresh snow and fog led to delays, it didn’t seem to bother Ross – who snagged her second U.S. Championship title in super G – or Cochran-Siegle, who grabbed his first career title.

For both the men and the women, it was the U.S. Ski Team athletes who shined bright, with no big podium surprises and some really good skiing. Rounding out the podium for the women were Stacey Cook (Mammoth Lakes, CA – U.S. Ski Team) and Megan McJames (Park City, UT) – tying for second, 1.05 seconds off the pace, and Alice McKennis (New Castle, CO – U.S. Ski Team) – reigning Sugarloaf 2015 National Champion – in fourth. Nina O’Brien (Edwards, CO – U.S. Ski Team), who won the U.S. national giant slalom title in 2015 in Sugarloaf, finished fifth and won the junior women’s U.S. national super G title.

Ryan Cochran-Siegle captured the super G national title. (U.S. Ski Team - Reese Brown)

For the men it was a tighter race, with Jared Goldberg (Holladay, UT – U.S. Ski Team) taking second, .26 off the pace and Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA – U.S. Ski Team) in third, .44 second out. All eyes were on Sugarloaf local Sam Morse (Sugarloaf, ME – U.S. Ski Team) – Carrabassett Valley Academy grad and 2017 Junior World downhill champion – who ended up fourth, just 12 hundredths off the podium. He’ll walk away as top junior of the day, which is an honor not foreign to Morse.

“Being top in the country is cool – being top in the world is even cooler,” reflected Morse following Saturday’s super G. “To be part of the next generation of American Downhillers is really exciting. I’ve been super fortunate to have older guys who are really friendly – they could be jerks, but instead they’re always really accommodating to us – teaching us and showing us. I'm really thankful to them for making it an enjoyable process.”

Ross – one of the best downhill and super G skiers in the world – remarked on how special it is to stand on the top of the podium. “I want to be the fastest skier out there, so it still does mean a lot to be able to be the National Champion and win a race," she said. "It doesn’t matter if it’s a FIS race or a World Cup – just being the fastest racer is really special.”

Local boy Sam Morse took the national juniors title in super G. (U.S. Ski Team - Reese Brown)

Ross was also quick to note the influence she, as a veteran World Cup athlete, could have on the next generation of ski racers. “Here I am, hopefully helping to inspire the next generation of skiers. I am getting older, so my time will come to be done with this sport and be able to hang out with the young kids and get them to step up and start skiing fast is important in our sport.”

For east coast native Cochran-Siegle, it gave him the chance to join his family members – the famous Cochran ski family – who have also claimed numerous national titles. “I think it means a lot to win a national championship,” said Cochran-Siegle. “My family has a lot of national titles to their name – Robby [Kelley] has one, Jimmy [Cochran] has a ton, Robby’s mom has a ton – so it’ll be cool to get in that club.”

Athletes praised the World Cup-like prepped surface and the good vibes that U.S. Alpine Championships provides. “It’s sweet to come out to nationals to see all the kids and everyone’s all fired up to see ski racing again,” noted Ganong. “They’ve been watching us on TV all year, so they can see us now in person, and get some face time with us. It’s fun to come and do one last race of the year – a fun run to end the season; no pressure.”

Three-time national title holder Cook shared similar sentiments, and also took time to praise the course crew on the hill prep. “The conditions were really good today," said Cook. "I’d love to go ski it again. It was really fun to have a perfect surface like that at an event that’s not a World Cup. I’m amazed by how perfect it was on the slope.”

The U.S. Alpine Championships continues Sunday in Sugarloaf, Maine with men’s and women’s slalom.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Laurenne Ross won her second U.S. national super G title Saturday in Sugarloaf.
• East coaster Ryan Cochran-Siegle, of the famed Cochran ski family, won his first U.S. national super G title.
• Current Junior World Downhill Champion and Carrabassett Valley Academy grad Sam Morse finished fourth and was the top junior for the men.
• Nina O’Brien, who won the U.S. national giant slalom title in 2015 in Sugarloaf, finished fifth and won the junior women’s U.S. national super G title.
• The U.S. Alpine Championships continues Sunday in Sugarloaf, Maine with men’s and women’s slalom.

QUOTES
Laurenne Ross
Normally when I approach nationals I try to tell myself that I don’t care. But ultimately, I do. I want to be the fastest person. I want to be the fastest skier out there, so it still does mean a lot to be able to be the national champion and win a race. It doesn’t matter if it’s a FIS race or a World Cup – just being the fastest racer is really special. Even though it’s U.S. nationals, it’s a big race for a lot of people and to be able to win a race in my home country is awesome.

I remember my first U.S. nationals. It was in Mammoth Mountain, California. It was so windy. I remember in the slalom the gates were on the ground, backwards, pointing at me. I thought, ‘I don’t know how to do this – I guess I’ll cross block down here’ – it was kind of a shock. I’m pretty sure I started 80th in GS and 70th in slalom. It was a huge eye opener, being able to be there with Lindsey Vonn, Jules [Mancuso] and all of the big skiers – Bode and Ted – having those guys there was huge for me when I was that young. Here I am, hopefully helping to inspire the next generation of skiers. I am getting older, so my time will come to be done with this sport and be able to hang out with the young kids and get them to step up and start skiing fast is important in our sport.

Stacey Cook
The conditions were really good today. I’d love to go ski it again. It was really fun to have a perfect surface like that at an event that’s not a World Cup. I gave away a little bit in the middle – we were getting some mixed reports about how that middle section was running, and I think I listened a little too well and was a little too cautious in some of the problem areas. But I still had a lot of fun, and I’m amazed by how perfect it was on the slope.

Nationals still means something to me. You have a long season on the World Cup, you go to World Championships and the Olympics a few times and it’s really easy to forget about this event – it’s the lowest level event that we have in the year – but for most people here it’s the highest level event. But the title still means something, and I take that to heart. I remember the first time I went to nationals and how meaningful it was to race against the best and measure up. So, I want those girls in the back to be able to measure up to my best. You know, I’m not going to give anything away. I want them to see where they need to get to, and that’s probably the most powerful tool at that age – to race against people that are faster. I definitely am trying my hardest out here. I’m trying not to give anything away.

Megan McJames
I think the really cool thing about U.S. nationals is that you get to see all of your friends. Because I’ve been on the tech side I don’t get to see the speed girls that often – or the men’s team – so it’s just great. The ski world’s such a tight-knit community so it’s good to see everyone.

Alice McKennis
Being a national champion is really great. As a World Cup athlete you always focus so much on World Cup podiums and how you do on the World Cup, and – at the end of the day – it’s still nice to finish as a national champion. That’s something you’ll carry with you the rest of your life, and you can have that title and know that that one day you were the best in the U.S., and that’s something to be proud of. I’m happy to have a title in both downhill and super G now.

It’s great to be at nationals and have all of your friends together – you’re reunited, and we don’t see some of the tech girls all year and then you come out here and you get to hang with Julia Ford and Megan [McJames], and it’s so fun to be reunited with all of your peers that you’ve known for 10 years. So, it’s a fun environment.

Ryan Cochran-Siegle
I always love coming back to the east coast. I haven’t been back here since 2010, I guess. I didn’t even think about that, but being in familiar territory is always an advantage. Like, Sam Morse had a really good run, and I’ve skied this hill quite a bit so it’s always fun to have east coast conditions. Knowing what the hill is going to give you is a pretty big advantage, and then just trusting your skiing. This is a hill where you have to find flow and I think I did a pretty good job with that.

I think it means a lot to win a national championship. My family has a lot of national titles to their name – Robby [Kelley] has one, Jimmy [Cochran] has a ton, Robby’s mom has a ton – so it’ll be cool to get in that club.

Jared Goldberg
It feels good to wrap up the season here. Racing at U.S. nationals is relaxed compared to what we’ve been doing all year with big races – World Cups, World Championships – coming here is really relaxed and we know everybody on the hill, all the coaches and we see a lot of coaches we’ve grown up with on Western Region team and stuff.

Travis Ganong
It’s sweet to come out to nationals to see all the kids and everyone’s all fired up to see ski racing again. They’ve been watching us on TV all year, so they can see us now in person, and get some face time with us. It’s fun to come and do one last race of the year – a fun run to end the season; no pressure.

For me, nationals is more about just coming out and seeing all of my teammates I haven’t seen all year that have been doing NorAms and Europa Cups, and then seeing all the kids – it’s more of the goal here.

Sam Morse
Racing at home is a ton of fun. I’ve been telling people this week that there’s a little bit of an ignorant bliss you have when you go to a hill for the first time. Obviously there’s advantages of running on a hill I know, but there’s also disadvantages. I know where the difficult parts are, where it’s going to stack up, how it’s going to run, so sometimes you find yourself pulling back in those areas because you know it’s going to be close. But if you had no idea, then you’d just send it.

It’s so much fun racing in front of the home crowd. Pushing out of the gate today at the start, there are fans all across the cat track cheering for me. That’s so much fun. They're excited to see one of their own competing with some of the best guys.

Being top in the country is cool – being top in the world is even cooler. To be part of the next generation of American Downhillers is really exciting. I’ve been super fortunate to have older guys who are really friendly – they could be jerks, but instead they’re always really accommodating to us – teaching us and showing us, so I'm really thankful to them for making it an enjoyable process.

RESULTS
Women’s super G
Men’s super G

For all things U.S. Alpine Champs, make sure to check out the event website.