Multiple podiums highlight first qualifying events of the season for U16 tech racers

Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Alpine U16 IMC team competed January 11-14 at Snowbird Resort in the Snowbird IMC Qualifier, the first of three qualifying events for the U16 Regional Championships and Tri-Divisional Championships. The four-day event featured two slalom (SL) and two giant slalom (GS) races with deep fields for men and women. 

Snowbird delivered ideal racing conditions throughout the series. SVSEF athletes remained focused and adaptable across the demanding schedule, showing composure and commitment from run to run as they kicked off their competitive qualifying race season. 

“The Alpine U16s competed well at Snowbird in our first divisional qualifiers for U16 Regionals and Tri-Divisional Championships,” said SVSEF Alpine U16 head coach Nate Schwing. “We were greeted with four consecutive bluebird days with quality racing surfaces. Our athletes were locked in for four days of racing. They did well adapting daily and committed to giving their all from run to run on race day. A lot of positives were taken away from this series, and now we train towards our next race series, competing in Super G at the Wes Barron in Jackson.”

SVSEF athletes posted strong results throughout the Snowbird IMC Qualifier, highlighted by multiple podium finishes across slalom and giant slalom. Neena DeGennaro led the women with second-place finishes in both giant slalom races, along with a second-place finish in slalom, while Bianca Smith earned a third-place finish in giant slalom. On the men’s side, Paxton Harris captured a first-place finish in slalom and followed up with a second-place result in giant slalom, while Corbin Flood secured a first-place finish in giant slalom. Colter Bengston added to the podium count with a second-place finish in giant slalom and multiple top-ten results across the series.

SVSEF Athlete Results:

U16 Women’s SL #1 Jan. 11
5th – Neena DeGennaro
8th – Jasmine Smiley
14th – Piper Spengler
15th – Bianca Smith
16th Colette Duke

U16 Men’s SL #1 Jan. 11
7th – Henry Questad

U16 Women’s SL #2 Jan. 12
2nd – Neena DeGennaro
8th – Jasmine Smiley
9th – Piper Spengler
14th – Bianca Smith
15th – Olivia Harrington
16th – Camille Reid
18th – Colette Duke

U16 Men’s SL #2 Jan. 12
1st – Paxton Harris
7th – Colter Bengston
8th – Henry Questad
18th – Cameron Beck

U16 Women’s GS #1 Jan. 13
2nd – Neena DeGennaro
5th – Bianca Smith
11th – Jasmine Smiley
15th – Colette Duke
18th – Alexandra Heidel
20th – Piper Spengler

U16 Men’s GS #1 Jan. 13
1st – Corbin Flood
2nd – Colter Bengston
7th – Jake Schlatter
8th – Henry Questsd
13th – Brooks Gove

U16 Women’s GS #2 Jan. 14
2nd – Neena DeGennaro
3rd – Bianca Smith
9th – Jasmine Smiley
16th – Colette Duke
17th – Alexandra Heidel

U16 Men’s GS #2 Jan. 14
2nd – Paxton Harris
6th – Colter Bengston
7th – Cameron Beck
8th – Wyatt Limburg
15th – Henry Nordstrom
17th – Brooks Gove
18th – Kai Sammis

Photo: Corbin Flood in first place and Colter Bengston in second in GS #1, January 13th

For complete U16 IMD race results, click on the following link and go to the U16 Series button:  https://imdalpine.org/race-results/