SUN VALLEY, Idaho – The SVSEF Alpine U16 and U14 IMD teams traveled to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Dec. 20-23 to compete in the Sean Nurse Open, an open tech series featuring Slalom (SL) and Giant Slalom (GS) events. The series drew a strong field of competitors and served as an important qualifying opportunity for U16 athletes to earn their way to the Burke Mountain National Project.

Athletes faced demanding and variable snow conditions throughout the event, with soft snow creating deep ruts and testing technical abilities. Despite the challenges, the U14 IMD crew relied on their early season training to adapt to the conditions with these efforts illustrated by podium finishes, multiple top-10 results, and consistent skill progression. 

“It was a rodeo,” said U14 Second Year Head Coach Angelica Birkner. “Conditions were quite tough with very soft snow, but our crew did a great job adjusting from day one, and finished the series with some strong results.”

Athletes also remarked on the challenging course conditions “The ruts were so big!” one athlete noted.

Competition opened with Slalom races on Dec. 20 and 21. On the men’s side, Colter Bengtson led the way with an impressive third-place finish on Dec. 20, followed by a sixth-place result the next day. The women’s team posted several solid performances, including top-10 finishes from Jasmine Smiley (7th) and Savannah Pringle (10th) on Dec. 21. The scheduled GS on Dec. 22 was canceled due to weather, while GS racing resumed on Dec. 23.

The Sean Nurse Open provided valuable experience in challenging conditions and high-level competition, while also playing a meaningful role in U16 athlete qualification pathways for the season ahead.

SVSEF Athlete Results 

Women SL Dec. 20

11th – Mia Huey (U14 IMD)

34th – Iliana Little (U14 IMD)

35th – Stevie Crist (U14 IMD)

Men SL Dec. 20

3rd – Colter Bengtson (U16)

14th – Wyatt Limburg (U16)

25th – Alex Brown (U16)

32nd – Cameron Beck (U16)

Women SL Dec. 21

7th – Jasmine Smiley (U16)

10th – Savannah Pringle (U14 IMD)

14th – Mia Huey (U14 IMD)

18th – Alexandra Heidel (U16)

23rd – Piper Spengler (U16)

30th – Bianca Smith (U16)

32nd – Brianna Smiley (U14 IMD)

Men SL Dec. 21

6th – Colter Bengtson (U16)

17th – Jake Shlatter (U16)

23rd – Cameron Beck (U16)

32nd – Corbin Flood (U16)

GS 12/22: Canceled due to weather 

Women GS Dec. 23

10th – Neena DeGennaro (U16)

19th – Jasmine Smiley (U16)

23rd – Alexandra Heidel (U16)

25th – Savannah Pringle (U14 IMD)

27th – Colette Duke (U16)

34th – Camille Reid (U16)

40th – Georgia Baxley (U16)

43rd – Gaia Luem (U16)

52nd – Sophie Kanowsky (U16)

55th – Nina Viesturs (U16)

64th – Iliana Little (U14 IMD)

66th – Stevie Crist (U14 IMD)

70th – Cece Connell (U16)

72nd – Bella Bren (U16)

Men GS Dec. 23

11th – Corbin Flood (U16)

16th – Cameron Beck (U16)

19th – Wyatt Limburg (U16)

22nd – Jack Schlatter (U16)

For complete Sean Nurse IMD Open race results, please visit https://imdalpine.org/race-results/ and click on “Open Series.” 

Photo: Men’s SL Race 12/20 – Colter Bengston U16, 3rd place