Members of the SVSEF Alpine FIS Team, along with SVSEF Alumni and members of the U.S. Ski Team Development Team, raced amongst the best junior ski racers in North America this past week in Copper Mountain, CO. The North American Cup, also known as the NorAm circuit, is a race series that is designed as a stepping stone for young American and Canadian FIS racers who have their sights set on the World Cup. 

SVSEF’s Haley Cutler raced her way onto the overall podium during last week’s NorAm races. A handful of Canadian and American World Cup and Olympic racers on the start list led to a stacked field, where in the first Super G race, there was only 0.2 of a second between 1st place and 6th place. Four out of these six skiers currently compete on the World Cup circuit and Cutler was right there in the mix placing 3rd overall in the second Super G and landing as the top-ranked American.

The NorAm circuit is the top level of racing in North America. The top two overall athletes per event in the series are given protected World Cup starts in that discipline for the following season.

“It felt really good to be back racing a NorAm again!” said Haley Cutler, SVSEF FIS Team athlete. “Downhill and Super G have always been so much fun for me and I’m stoked. I’ve gotten myself in a place (mentally and physically) to race speed again. Crossing the finish line with the feeling of a fast run and knowing I nailed my inspection marks is always a confidence booster even before seeing times! I was stoked to have a 3rd place podium in both the Downhill and the Super G race! This season I’m focused on NorAm’s speed events with goals of racing on the World Cup circuit!”

For the Junior Girls, Dasha Romanov, SVSEF Alum and current member of the U.S. Ski Team’s Development Team, placed 3rd and 2nd in the two NorAm Super-G races, respectively; and in the Junior Boys, SVSEF FIS Team member, Finnigan Donley, finished 3rd in the first of two Super-G races.

For several SVSEF athletes, it was their first experience racing at the NorAm level. “My first NorAm experience was challenging but also very eye opening to the ski racing world,” said Jessica Blackburn, SVSEF Alpine Alum and Post-Grad athlete. “It was a great opportunity to ski against some of the best skiers my age.”

Cameron Crus, SVSEF Alpine FIS Team athlete added, “What a fun privilege to participate in my first NorAms. Although they did not go as I hoped and my skiing was not where I would have liked it to be, it was an eye-opening experience to race alongside the best girls my age and older. It is always a good time with the SVSEF crew!”

Up next for the SVSEF FIS Alpine Team:

• December 12-15: Men’s Tech NorAm’s at Beaver Creek, CO
• December 14-17: WR FIS Series at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY
• December 19-22: Steamboat Springs Holiday Classic at Steamboat Springs, CO
• January 2-5: WR FIS Devo Series at Snow King, WY