Sarchett Crowned Junior Worlds Giant Slalom Champion
"It was a really good day, perfect weather warm with amazing snow. I knew it could be a good day and I sent it," said Sarchett. "Gave it all I had."
The sun was overhead and the conditions were strong in Portes du Soleil for the final Junior Worlds alpine event. The women raced a slalom and the men finished the day off with the giant slalom.
Sarchett knifed down a stellar first run, already in podium contention in third place. But come second run, Sarchett did not hesitate on his skis and laid down an extremely fast run to take the win over international competitors Alban Cannaferina Elezi of France in second and Sweden’s Fabian Ax Swarts in third place. It was a dramatic finish with very slim margins, with Sarchett ahead of second place by 0.06.
Sarchett joins an impressive list of previous American Junior World Champions. He is the first giant slalom champion since world champion River Radamus took the title back in 2019. Other previous Junior World Champions include world champion Paula Moltzan, Olympic silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle and World Cup winner Steven Nyman to name a few.
RESULTS
Men's giant slalom
Smith Secures Silver Medal at Junior World Championships
(SVSEF XC Gold Team Member) Sammy Smith of the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team started off the 2024 FIS Ski Junior World Championships with a silver medal in the first race of the championships, the skate sprint. This is the best-ever sprint result for any American at the Junior World Championships, and only the second silver medal the American women have historically won at the championships.
On location in Planica, Slovenia, the best junior athletes in the world are having their turn on the same course as the FIS Ski World Championships a year earlier, with 450 athletes and 42 countries present. Smith, who has been racing on the World Cup for the majority of the season, including taking home her career-best result just a week ago in Goms, Switzerland in 21st, has been a force despite only being 18 years old.
Smith is a multi-sport athlete. She is also a soccer player, having represented the USA at the FIFA U-17 World Cup over the summer and grew up as a freestyle skier. But, it's ski season, which means Smith is solely on skis and finding success at every turn in the process.
"I’m super excited about today’s race," said Smith. "I was not thrilled with my qualifier. I knew I made some mistakes that cost me some time, but I was really happy with how the heats went. It was a competitive field and congrats to all the other racers on an awesome day! Hopefully, I’ll be able to carry some of this momentum into 20k and 10k classic!"
Smith, skied a tactical and smart race. Typically excelling on courses with challenging hills, Smith adapted to the flatter Planica course well. Qualifying in fifth, she was in good company with all of her U.S. teammates making it through to the heats, all landing within the top 30. Stifel U.S. Ski Team's Ava Thurston led the U.S., qualifying in second, alongside Smith in fifth, Evelyn Walton of the Dartmouth Ski Team in 27th and Middlebury Ski Team's Sofia Scirica in 29th.
In the heats, Smith was the only American to advance, winning her quarterfinal heat. In the semis, Smith crossed the line in second, punching her ticket to her first Junior World Championships final. She fought for a podium position alongside Gina Del Rio of Andorra and Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen of Norway. On the final hill, Smith turned on the gas and jump-skated into podium position. With the finish line in sight, Smith ultimately crossed the line in second, making history in the process.
At the end of the race day, Smith led the team in second, while Thurston was 21st, Walton in 25th and Scirica in 30th. For the men, Zachary Jayne (University of Utah Ski Team) was just out of the top 30 in 32nd, Trey Jones (University of Colorado Boulder Ski Team) was 39th, Lucas Wilmot (Jackson Hole Ski Team) 48th and Matt Seline (University of Alaska Anchorage Ski Team) in 67th.
"We're launching the week on a high note," said Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Development Coach, Greta Anderson. "Our athletes arrive with significant ambitions, and it's incredibly rewarding for all of us to see them achieve their objectives collectively. Sammy's second-place finish in the sprint is a testament to the hard work and determination that defines our team. It's an ideal beginning to our week. Every one of our female athletes made it through the qualification rounds today. Meanwhile, our male competitors gave their all in their first international starts and fought hard to the finish line."
With Smith's silver medal, she is etching her name in the Junior World Championship history books.
Next up, the U.S. Junior World Championships team will race the 20k on Feb. 7. Tomorrow, Feb. 6, the U23 team will race the skate sprint on the same course.
Photo: US Ski & Snowboard
Nic Rubenstein and Will Hausman Go One-Two at Northern Division Freestyle Comp
Twenty-two athletes from the SVSEF Freestyle Team traveled to Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, MT to compete in the Northern Division Freestyle Competition Feb. 2-4. Eleven came home with hardware including three overall podiums.
With variable weather and ever-changing course conditions, SVSEF Freestyle athletes showed incredible resilience throughout the weekend. After a training day on Friday, the Singles Mogul contests were held on both Saturday and Sunday and the Dual contest wrapped the event on Sunday.
“We had an incredible showing at Bridger Bowl this weekend!” said SVSEF Travel Team Head Coach Wyatt Wilson. “From our youngest competitor to our oldest, Coach Rybak and I were very impressed by the improvements that Sun Valley athletes have made this year.”
SVSEF Athlete Results
Saturday, Feb. 3
F13
1st Isla Sunby (9th overall)
F17
3rd Sienna Loredo (8th overall)
M11
3rd Otto Latham
M13
1st Cal Strachan
2nd Dax Latham
M15
3rd Jack Kendall 13th overall
M17
1st Will Hausmann (2nd overall)
2nd Sylas Barrett (5th overall)
3rd Austin McMahan (7th overall)
M19
1st Nic Rubenstein (1st overall)
Sunday, Feb. 4
Singles
F13
1st Isla Sunby 7th overall
F17
3rd Sienna Loredo
M11
3rd Otto Latham
M13
2nd Charlie Pfau
3rd Dax Latham
M17
1st Sylas Barrett (4th overall)
M19
1st Nic Rubenstein (2nd overall)
Duals
Sylas Barrett 5th overall
Isla Sunby 6th overall
For more information about the event, please visit: https://www.bridgerskifoundation.org/events/freestyle-february
Big Mountain Team Sweeps the Podium on 2nd IFSA Comp in Snowbird, UT
SVSEF athletes make major leaps amidst unfavorable conditions
The SVSEF Big Mountain Team returned from their second stop on the IFSA Junior Series dressed in metal and coated in praise from the freeride community. The team walked away from the weekend in Snowbird with ten podium finishes and countless others rounding out the Top 5. Athletes battled flat light and low snow conditions on a course that featured exposed rock faces and dynamic terrain, the perfect recipe for an exciting, yet challenging competition.
Head Coach Banks Gilberti said he and the rest of the coaching staff left Utah feeling extremely proud of the team as a whole. “For me, one of the biggest takeaways from this trip was our crew’s sheer love for skiing and the sport of freeride as well as the incredible sportsmanship and support our athletes showed to each other throughout the competition weekend,” commented Gilberti.
The podiums are a singular outcome of the massive input of time and energy put into training both on and off the mountain over the past few months. Compared to larger resorts in the West that tend to breed freeride athletes, Sun Valley may not be known for its “gnarly” off-piste terrain. However, here on Baldy, the steeps are steep and the bumps are deep. There is something to be said for those capable of skiing 3,000 ft. of vertical relief in one run.
Gilberti commented on the team’s training regime, “We expect our athletes to have strong fundamentals and we constantly focus on developing and improving on them day to day. We hold these kids to a high standard, but we always leave room for freeskiing with friends and family.” In many ways, this competition proved the team is capable of competing at a regional and national level despite the adverse snow conditions Baldy has been dealt this season. Turns out a 41" base is all you need to succeed.
Stay tuned as the team heads to Red Mountain Resort in British Columbia to compete in the next stop of the IFSA Junior Regional Qualifiers.
RESULTS
VOLUME 1 (Day 1)
U19 Ski Men:
1st -Alex Leahy
2nd - Abel Marx
3rd - Reyn Gary
4th - Breck Lyon
U19 Ski Women:
3rd - Scarlett Carruth
4th - Addie Warden
U15 Ski Men:
4th - Hank Greener
5th - Kobi Bilbro
6th - Jude Carter
VOLUME 2 (Day 2)
U19 Ski Men:
2nd - Zack Torres
3rd - Alex Leahy
5th - Reyn Gary
U19 Ski Women:
1st - Claire Buchwalter
2nd - Ripley Scales
4th - Tess Lightner
5th - Madda Mourier-Floyd
U15 Ski Men:
1st - Hank Greener
U15 Ski Women:
2nd - Skyler Jensen
SVSEF Snowboard and Freeski Teams Shine at Slopestyle and Halfpipe Events
Exciting results from SVSEF athletes on second stop of the Big Mountain West Series!
The competition season is underway for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) Freeski and Snowboard teams, with plenty of momentum coming out of the USASA Big Mountain West Series qualifier at Woodward Park City, UT. The Freeski and Snowboard teams brought nearly 20 athletes to compete in the halfpipe, rail jam, and slopestyle disciplines during the three-day competition period.
The WWPC event marks the first competition of the season for SVSEF snowboard athletes. This weekend was also the first opportunity for a majority of the team to combine jump and rail sequences on a slopestyle course. Slopestyle athletes Camille Armeen, Naomi Gorringe, Vivian Smith, Rylan Olson, Bixby Swanger, and Miles Hatzenbuehler finished in the top 10 for the Breaker category (ages 13-14), while Callie Allen took first place for Youth Women.
“The athletes stepped up to the plate in slopestyle, showing off their style and comfort despite unfavorable weather conditions,” said snowboard coach, Scott Fairfax.
On day two, the athletes showcased their style in the halfpipe event, where practice on and off of Baldy really shone through. “The kids wasted no time dialing in runs,” said longtime Program Director, Andy Gilbert. “The energy level was high and a smaller halfpipe allowed riders to put together more creative runs with some technical tricks and spins.”
Results from the halfpipe day boasted several SVSEF athletes breaking into the top five, including Naomi Gorringe, Camille Armeen, Vivian Smith, Rylan Olson, and Charlie Theobald in the Breaker category; and Callie Allen taking another first place for Youth Women.
The SVSEF Freeski team took center stage in all three disciplines with seven athletes placing in the top four for their age groups, including Brayden Smith, Blue Allen, Emmett Crist, Kai Van Bueren, Leo Hayes, George Corkery, and Spencer Ferries. Adding fuel to the fire, five of the athletes made their mark at the start of the series by placing in the top five in Jackson Hole - including Kai Van Bueren, Blue Allen, Barrett Beyer, Brayden Smith, and Leo Hayes.
Further south, Freeski Futures Head Coach Gui Brown joined athletes Zeppelin (Zep) Pilaro and Anton Holter at the first stop of the U.S. Revolution Tour (@usrevtour) at Copper Mountain, CO. The Revolution Tour was established as a stepping stone for athletes ages 13-18 to compete at an elite level on a national stage.
Coach Gui left the tour proud of the athletes' newfound accomplishments. “The boys flourished during the slopestyle competition,” he said. “Both athletes were able to link big doubles in their training runs; Holter with a switch left-side double 900 into a forward left double 1260 with a blunt grab. Pilaro managed to do the same switch double 900 into a forward left double 1440. These boys were able to up their game with a smile on their face and the rest of the field undoubtedly took notice that these two will be forces to reckon with in the years to come!”
Up next is the 2024 USASA Big Mountain West Dollar Slopestyle and Baldy Boardercross event Feb. 1-4. “The Dollar Slopestyle is always a fun hometown event,” said Freeski Program Director Tyler Conway. “The park crew built an impressive slopestyle line two weeks ahead of the competition, so we’re excited to see the kids bring new tricks to the table as they compete on home turf.”
With the boardercross event moving from Dollar to Baldy for the first time in over a decade, the slalom should be an exciting new course for all participants.
SVSEF Snowboard Team Results at WWPC:
Jan 25: Slopestyle
Breaker Girls (13-14)
Camille Armeen - 2nd
Naomi Gorringe - 4th
Vivian Smith - 5th
Breaker Boys (13-14)
Rylan Olson - 6th
Bixby Swanger 9th
Miles Hatzenbuehler - 10th
Youth Women (15-16)
Callie Allen 1st
Jan. 26: Halfpipe
Breaker Girls (13-14):
Noami Gorringe - 1st
Camille Armeen - 3rd
Vivian Smith - 4th
Breaker Boys (13-14):
Ryan Olson - 1st
Charlie Theobald - 5th
Youth Women:
Callie Allen - 1st
SVSEF Freeski Team Results at WWPC:
Jan 24: Rail Jam
Freeski Girls (11-14):
2nd - Blue Allen
Freeski Boys (7-10):
4th - Brayden Smith
Freeski Boys (11-14):
2nd - Leo Hayes
4th - Emmett Crist
Freeski Men (15-22):
1st - Kai Van Bueren
Jan 25: Slopestyle
Freeski Girls (11-14):
1st - Blue Allen
Freeski Breaker Boys (13-14):
1st - Barrett Beyer
Freeski Youth Men’s (15-16):
2nd - Kai Van Bueren
Freeski Men (17-18):
1st - George Corkery
3rd - Spencer Ferries
Jan 26: Halfpipe
Freeski Breaker Boys (13-14):
1st - Barrett Beyer
2nd - Emmett Crist
SVSEF Alpine Teams Find Their Need for Speed at Wes Barron Speed Series
Ruby Smith Takes Overall Series Title for Women
In collaboration with the Jackson Hole Ski Club, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort hosted the Wes Barron Speed Series Jan. 26-29. Athletes from the SVSEF Alpine U14 Travel Team and the U16 Team traveled to Jackson Hole, WY for the Super G (SG) series, where the men and women each had three SG races over the four-day event.
The series welcomed 100 men and 100 women representing ten ski clubs from across the Intermountain Division, and was open to U14 and U16 age categories. Seventeen women and 10 men from the SVSEF U16 Team and U14 Travel Teams combined lined up against some of their toughest competition in the region. Awards were given to the top five overall men and women in each race and to the top woman and man overall at the end of the series.
The women raced on Friday and Saturday, where Ruby Smith stood on the top step of the winner’s podium for all three races, taking the overall title for the series. Smith won the first two races handily by 1.42 seconds and 1.62 seconds respectively; and stayed the course to win race three by 0.21 seconds. As a team, the women trended strongly in moving up from their starting bib number positions. Faith Enderle jumped from 22nd starting position to a fifth place overall podium finish in the women’s third race. Elliot Leahy started bib 28 in the first race and finished in 11th. For the next two races, Leahy started in 27th and finished in 10th and eighth respectively.
“The Wes Barron Series is always a great test for our athletes to get on their speed skis and let things run,” said Nate Schwing, SVSEF U16 Head Coach. “Jackson Hole Ski Club and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort put on a really great event and it’s a fun atmosphere for the kids to compete against so many athletes from across the Intermountain Division. We’re super proud to see how the team’s strength and determination came through in their skiing this weekend amidst some challenging conditions with intermittent poor visibility. Everyone really rallied to support their teammates and encouraged each other throughout the series, which is always awesome to see as a coach.”
Race one for the men was held on Sunday with two SVSEF teammates finishing on the overall podium, both less than a second off of Jaden D’Amours’ (JHSC) winning time of 54.99. Ulrich Rossi took second place (+0.63) and Huxley Flood finished fifth (+0.84). In race two, Ulrich Rossi was just .02 seconds off the podium in sixth place. He came back in race three to take third place overall, only .73 behind the winning time; with teammate Tucker Reimund grabbing the fourth place overall podium spot just .06 behind Rossi.
“The teams’ tenacity was so great to watch,” said Gladys Weidt, SVSEF Alpine U16 Assistant Coach. “Sometimes the variable conditions and the level of competition with this many athletes running the course can be mentally challenging on their own, let alone then pulling together the run you want for every race. I’m super psyched that our teams had a solid speed series at this point in the season, and we’re excited to host the U16s from around the region at the upcoming Laura Flood Memorial Race in Sun Valley Feb. 9-11.”
SVSEF Athlete Results:
Women Race 1 - Friday, Jan. 26
Overall Results: SVSEF 3 in top 15
1st - Ruby Smith - 51.92
11th - Elliot Leahy
12th - Faith Enderle
22nd - Alyssa Huntsman
23rd - Fleur Brazil
27th - Kennedy Kelly
31st - Ruby Thurston
33rd - Madalyn Neal
37th - Bianca Smith (U14)
38th - Zoe Stern-Pre
47th - Anna Yuras
53rd - Jasmine Smiley (U14)
66th - Alexandra Heidel (U14)
79th - Sasha Preuss (U14)
81st - Elle Deckard
Women Race 2 - Saturday, Jan. 27
Overall Results: SVSEF 2 in top 10
1st - Ruby Smith
10th - Elliot Leahy
13th - Kennedy Kelly
14th - Faith Enderle
21st - Fleur Brazil
27th - Zoe Stern-Pre
33rd - Bianca Smith (U14)
34th - Ruby Thurston
37th - Madalyn Neal
43rd - Anna Yuras
51st - Jasmine Smiley (U14)
62nd - Alaska Sewell
64th - Alexandra Heidel (U14)
70th - Ruby Campbell
72nd - Sasha Preuss (U14)
76th - Elle Deckard
Women Race 3 - Saturday, Jan. 27
Overall Results: SVSEF 3 in top 10
1st - Ruby Smith
5th - Faith Enderle
8th - Elliot Leahy
19th - Kennedy Kelly
27th - Fleur Brazil
30th - Ruby Thurston
34th - Madalyn Neal
35th - Alyssa Huntsman
36th - Bianca Smith (U14)
37th - Zoe Stern-Pre
49th - Anna Yuras
55th - Jasmine Smiley (U14)
61st - Alexandra Heidel (U14)
63rd - Ruby Campbell
70th - Alaska Sewell
77th - Elle Deckard
81st - Sasha Preuss (U14)
Men Race 1 - Sunday, Jan. 28
Overall Results: SVSEF 2 in top 10
2nd - Ulrich Rossi
5th - Huxley Flood
15th - Tucker Reimund
16th - Jay Blackburn
17th - Conway Selznick
33rd - Reid Holman
52nd - Henry Flynn (U14)
53rd - Wyatt Limburg (U14)
54th - Declan O’Toole (U14)
Men Race 2 - Monday, Jan. 28
Overall Results: SVSEF 2 in top 10
6th - Ulrich Rossi
7th - Tucker Reimund
11th - Huxley Flood
17th - Jay Blackburn
19th - Conway Selznick
32nd - Reid Holman
54th - Declan O’Toole (U14)
57th - Henry Flynn (U14)
63rd - Wyatt Limburg (U14)
75th - Thomas Connell
Men Race 3 - Monday, Jan. 28
Overall Results: SVSEF 3 in top 10
3rd - Ulrich Rossi
4th - Tucker Reimund
9th - Huxley Flood
22nd - Jay Blackburn
24th - Conway Selznick
27th - Reid Holman
39th - Declan O’Toole (U14)
51st - Henry Flynn (U14)
53rd - Wyatt Limburg (U14)
Complete results may be found at: https://imdalpine.org/alpine/races23/U16.php
About the Wes Barron Speed Series
In collaboration with the Jackson Hole Ski Club, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort hosts the annual Wes Barron Speed Series. Through the efforts of the Barron family and the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club, the Wes Barron Scholarship Fund was established in his name, and is making a difference in the lives of local children. The Fund helps local kids with financial need, participate in alpine racing. Through this fund, Wes continues to positively impact and inspire local kids who otherwise may not be able to participate in the sport.
SVSEF Alpine FIS Team Tests Their Mettle in FIS Devo Tech Series at Palisades Tahoe
Current SVSEF teammates and alum Jessica Blackburn share time on the podium
The men’s and women’s SVSEF Alpine FIS Teams hit the road to Palisades Tahoe, CA for the Western Region FIS Devo Tech Series, Jan. 25-28. Athletes from across the region raced two days of slalom and two days of giant slalom, in their quest to qualify for competition at the higher level FIS Elite races this season. Awards were given to the top three overall and the top three U18s in each race.
The FIS team hit a window of great weather at Palisades this week and was able to find success at the Devo Tech Series, with multiple podiums and solid results in both slalom (SL) and giant slalom (GS) from the men’s and women’s teams. On Thursday and Friday, the women were on the SL course and the men raced GS. They would swap disciplines for Saturday and Sunday. SVSEF coaches commended Team Palisades Tahoe for running an awesome series.
SVSEF Alum Jessica Blackburn, now skiing for the University of Nevada at Reno, won the overall in the SL on Thursday by a solid 2.61 seconds, while Larson Overby, Tucker Smith, and Sacha Stern-Pre rounded out the men’s top-ten overall in the GS in eighth, ninth, and tenth respectively.
In Friday’s SL, Ava Schweiger just missed the overall podium by .11 seconds putting her in fourth place overall and Ruby Crist snuck into the top 10 in ninth, 2.72 seconds off the race’s winning time of 1:13.80. Two of the men landed in the top 20 with Larson Overby in 16th and Sacha Stern-Pre nabbing that 20th spot, still within 3.46 seconds of the winning time.
It was Jessica Blackburn’s race to win the overall again in Saturday’s GS for the women by .99 seconds, with Lowie Watkins only 1.26 seconds back in fourth overall and giving her the second place spot on the U18 podium. Avryl Haas and Josie Sarchett landed in the top 10 in seventh and ninth respectively. The men turned to SL, where Larsen Overby took fourth overall and first place on the U18 podium, with teammate Tucker Smith eighth overall and third place on the U18 podium.
On the final day, it was Ruby Crist’s turn to step atop the overall podium, taking the overall and U18 podium win for the GS, with Jessica Blackburn on her heels in second place overall just .50 seconds off Crist’s winning time of 1:45.13. Avryl Haas took seventh and Josie Sarchett eighth.
SVSEF Athlete Results:
Women Slalom (SL), Thursday, Jan. 25
Overall:
1st - Jessica Blackburn (Alum) (1st on Overall podium)
12th - Ava Schweiger
13th - Meredith Bromley
15th - Josie Sarchett
16th - Avryl Haas
23rd - Madison Vieara-McCarthy
26th - Ava Murphy
27th - Sophia Hallstein
31st - Autumn Carpenter
Men Giant Slalom (GS), Thursday, Jan. 25
Overall:
8th - Larson Overby (3rd on U18 podium)
9th - Tucker Smith
10th - Sacha Stern-Pre
27th - Cole Sanford
33rd - Owen Lancaster
44th - Declan White
72nd - Kyan Gandhi
Women Slalom (SL), Friday, Jan. 26
Overall:
4th - Ava Schweiger
9th - Ruby Crist
11th - Avryl Haas
14th - Sophia Hallstein
18th - Madison Vieara-McCarthy
22nd - Autumn Carpenter
25th - Ava Murphy
Men Giant Slalom (GS), Friday, Jan. 26
Overall:
15th - Larson Overby
20th - Sacha Stern-Pre
25th - Cole Sanford
31st - Noah Horsch
32nd - Max Meucci
46th - Owen Lancaster
50th - Declan White
Women Giant Slalom (GS), Saturday, Jan. 27
Overall:
1st - Jessica Blackburn (Alum) (1st on Overall podium)
4th - Lowie Watkins (2nd on U18 podium)
7th - Avryl Haas
9th - Josie Sarchett
12th - Meredith Bromley
15th - Sophia Hallstein
17th - Ava Schweiger
18th - Madison Vieara-McCarthy
24th - Ava Murphy
26th - Autumn Carpenter
Men Slalom (SL), Saturday, Jan. 27
Overall:
4th - Larson Overby (1st on U18 podium)
8th - Tucker Smith (3rd on U18 podium)
35th - Kyan Gandhi
Women Giant Slalom (GS), Sunday, Jan. 28
Overall:
1st - Ruby Crist (1st on Overall podium and 1st on U18 podium)
2nd - Jessica Blackburn (Alum) (2nd on Overall podium)
7th - Avryl Haas
8th - Josie Sarchett
18th - Madison Vieara-McCarthy
25th - Autumn Carpenter
Men Slalom (SL), Saturday, Jan. 28
Overall:
8th - Sacha Stern-Pre (2nd on U18 podium)
13th - Owen Lancaster
20th - Noah Horsch
23rd - Declan White
The FIS Women’s Team had gone into Palisades off a strong run at the Rocky Central U18 Qualifier in Breckenridge, CO the weekend prior. Ruby Crist, Sophia Hallstein, and Avryl Haas placed third, fourth, and fifth overall on the first day of racing (giant slalom). The women topped that with five in the top 10 on the second day of giant slalom where Lowie Watkins placed second and Ruby Crist placed third. Natalie Gowe was sixth, Avryl Haas eighth, and Josie Sarchett 10th.
For complete FIS Devo Tech Series results, please visit: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=AL&eventid=54206&seasoncode=2024
Up next for the SVSEF Alpine FIS Team: The team will head to the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, UT and Snowbird, UT for the Elite SG and SL qualifiers Feb 13-14 respectively, with women starting with SG and men with SL. Then to Jackson on Feb. 17 for the final SL/GS Elite Qualifiers of the season.
SVSEF XC Gold Team Members Sport National Team Colors on the World Stage
Jake Adicoff, Sammy Smith, and Peter Wolter have personal bests at the World Cup
Several members of the SVSEF XC Gold Team were far from home this weekend, competing amongst the best in the world. In the FIS Cross Country World Cup at Goms, Switzerland, Sammy Smith (USA), Peter Wolter (USA), and Bentley Walker-Broose (AUS) joined their respective national teams to battle the powerhouse teams from Scandinavia and Europe. The ParaNordic World Cup season kicked off at Toblach, Italy, where Jake Adicoff (USA) added to his extensive hardware collection bringing home three gold medals and one silver. Stateside, Mariah Bredal (USA) continued her quest on the US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour at Craftsbury, VT, where she grabbed a top-10 in the women’s 1.5km sprint event on Friday and a fourth in the 20km freestyle on Sunday.
“That was a special weekend for the team, to have three athletes racing in the World Cup and have Jake winning at the Para World Cup,” said Chris Mallory, SVSEF XC Gold Team Head Coach. “They’ve got momentum and it’s fun to see them reach some of their goals, but there’s still a lot of exciting racing to come.”
The women’s 1.5km Coop FIS Cross Country Freestyle Sprint Qualifier on Saturday saw Team Sweden take six of the top 10 qualifying spots. Sammy Smith (USA) had an exceptional qualifying round, finishing in 13th and earning a spot in the quarter finals up against 2023 Sprint Crystal Globe winner, Maja Dahlqvist (SWE). Alongside Team USA teammates Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan, Smith was one of thirty women to qualify for the quarter finals out of fifty-one competitors. Diggins and Brennan qualified ninth and 17th respectively.
Over the two-lap course, it was clear early on there would be key tactics to play out on the climbs and into one of the final corners where some grabby ruts were being quickly established. Commentators of the race commended Smith as she chose to make a pass on the outside up the climb, ultimately putting her alongside Dahlqvist 1:29.3 into the race. Just over two minutes into the race, Smith got caught up on a short climb, setting her back a bit. She rallied to regroup with the field only to slide out on the heels of another competitor on a final corner at 2:38.0. Dahlqvist won the quarter final heat in 3:05.4 and went on to take the silver medal in the final. Smith’s finishing time in the quarter final heats landed her in 21st place for the event.
“The races in Goms were a ton of fun,” said Smith. “There were a lot of spectators which made for a killer race atmosphere. Unfortunately during the relay our second leg skier passed out, (thankfully she’s okay though!) I was planning on anchoring the relay, but the U.S. ended up not finishing. It did enable me to go in fresher to the skate sprint, where I ended up qualifying 13th which is my best qualifier. I was in a strong position for most of the quarter final but got tangled up on the last climb, lost some spots, and then a skier fell in front of me on the last corner and I tripped over her pole. It definitely didn’t go the way I hoped, but I’m looking forward to World Juniors (Planica, Slovenia) and Minneapolis (World Cup)—hoping to be able to put some races together there!”
The men’s Sprint Qualifier directly followed the women. Peter Wolter (USA) finished in 58th, 14.25 seconds off the fastest time of 2:34.03 set by Lucas Chanavat (FRA) and 5.50 seconds of the final qualifying time of 30th place at 2:42.78. Bentley Walker-Broose (AUS) finished in 70th. Chavanet went on to win silver for France in the final.
“Sun Valley type weather in Goms this past weekend!” said Wolter. “The conditions were all time and the racing was fast. I jumped in the sprint and felt strong,didn’t qualify for heats, but overall happy with my first World Cup sprint. Sunday’s 20k skate mass start was fast and chaotic but I was happy to end in 49th, a personal best on the World Cup circuit. I look forward to beating that in the Canmore and Minneapolis World Cups.”
“The races in Goms were super hard!” said Walker-Broose. “Great fun though and fantastic to carry some harder racing experience into world U23’s coming up at the start of February in Slovenia.”
The 20km Mass Start Free was contested under bluebird skies on Sunday at Goms. For the women, Smith (USA) finished in 45th with a time of 49:20.9 and 3:54.6 back from teammate Jessie Diggins (USA) gold medal time of 45:26.3. Wolter (USA) crossed the line in 41:49.3 and 2:24.1 behind gold medal winner Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR), landing him in 49th and his personal best World Cup finish in his fifth World Cup start. Walker-Broose (AUS) finished in 74th with a time of 46:14.0.
Para Nordic World Cup at Toblach, Italy
The Para Nordic World Cup season began in Toblach, Italy with a four-event line up. Up first were two 10km classic races, one interval start and one a mass start followed by a freestyle sprint and a freestyle 10km race to round out the week. Jake Adicoff (USA), Olympic gold medalist, continued his quest for gold, winning three of the four races and taking silver in the fourth.
On Wednesday, in the VI 10km classic Interval start race, Adicoff, along with guide Jake Brown, raced to gold with a time of 30:37, just edging out the Swedish team of Zebastian Modin and guide Emil Joensson who finished second with a time of 30:53. On Thursday, the USA vs. Sweden duel continued, with USA’s Adicoff and guide Brown taking the win with a dramatic sprint to the finish line to edge out the Swedish pair of Modin and Joensson once again, this time by only one second.
After a day off to recover and regroup, the races resumed on Saturday with a 1.2km freestyle sprint. Adicoff and guide Matt Seline finished second, just one second behind Germany’s Nico Messinger and three seconds ahead of Ukraine's Anatoliii Kovalesvskyl.
The triple crown, however, belonged to Adicoff who came back to win his third gold of the World Cup in the 10km freestyle on Sunday with guide Logan Moore, finishing the series with four medals in four events.
“Had an awesome week in Toblach,” said Adicoff. “I’m really happy with the racing and the results. I worked with three new guides in four races, and it was really cool to see the strength and support from American skiing. Also so cool to be watching Bentley, Sammy, and Peter crush it in Goms, as well as Mariah in Craftsbury. Inspired by the team as usual!”
US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour at Craftsbury, VT
Mariah Bredal, who competed in the Craftsbury Super Tour races over the weekend in Vermont, finished 10th in the Freestyle Sprint and fourth overall in the 25km Freestyle Mass Start event. This was a great showing for Bredal, who has qualified to compete in her first World Cup in Canmore, Alberta, Feb. 9-13.
Sandwiched in between the two Super Tour races in Vermont was the Craftsbury Freestyle 50km Marathon. Alumni Annika Landis won the marathon with a time of 2:23:48. This is a big race in the East, a part of a larger Marathon series that carries the same status as the Boulder Mountain Tour. Landis was three minutes ahead of the second place finisher, Green Racing Project alum Caitlin Patterson.
What’s next for the SVSEF XC Gold Team?
Former 2023 Boulder Mountain Tour Champion Peter Wolter will return home from the World Cup this week and decide if the timing is right to defend his title. He will be in between World Cup events with a focus on his next World Cup start in Canmore, Alberta, Feb 9-13. He will be joined in Canmore by teammate Mariah Bredal, who finds herself in the same conundrum.
Sammy Smith (USA) and Bentley Walker-Broose (AUS) are set to compete at the World Junior/U23 Championships in Planica, Slovenia Feb. 5-11. They will both be returning for a second time, having competed in 2023. Smith, who was also granted a start at the Canmore World Cup, declined that invitation to compete for the US at World Juniors with the goal of bettering her results from last year and maybe, it all goes her way, skiing onto the podium this time around.
Jake Adicoff will remain overseas for the next stop on the Para Nordic World Cup in Martello, Italy where he will compete in the classic sprint on January 31. He will stay in Europe to train for a few weeks before returning to the states to compete in the Slumberland American Birkebeiner on February 24.
For complete FIS Nordic Calendar and Results, visit: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/cross-country/calendar-results.html?noselection=true
For complete ParaNordic Calendar and Results, visit: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/para-snowsports/para-nordic/calendar-results.html?noselection=true
For complete US Ski & Snowboard SuperTour Calendar and Results, visit: https://usskiandsnowboard.org/supertour
For complete World Junior/U23 Championship Calendar and Results, visit:
https://www.planica.si/skoki/msp
SVSEF Cross Country Athletes are Toeing the Line Across The Globe
Bredal podiums at Lake Placid SuperTour, Maybach competes at Winter Youth Olympic Games
SVSEF Cross Country team athletes are lining up against the best in the country and the world. From high school-aged Comp Team athletes to post-grad XC Gold Team athletes, they are finding inspiration in training together and cheering each other on as they pursue both individual and team goals at every level.
“It’s such an exciting time for the SVSEF cross country program,” said Becky Flynn, SVSEF XC Program Director. “While our junior teams are training here at home and looking towards their next Junior National Qualifier at Soldier Hollow in Utah this weekend, they are able to cheer on other teammates who are competing across the globe at the International Junior and World Cup level.”
At the Coop FIS Cross Country World Cup in Oberhof, Germany, Peter Wolter raced to 55th in the Men’s 20km Mass Start Classic, just +3:34.8 back from Norway’s Erik Valnes and approximately four and a half minutes ahead of the last finisher for the men. Wolter’s next stop is the FIS Cross Country World Cup in Goms, Switzerland Jan 26-28. Sammy Smith took this weekend off to recover following the Tour de Ski and will race in Goms this weekend. Fellow SVSEF XC Gold Teammate Bentley Walker-Broose will also join Wolter and Smith to race for his homeland Australia at the Goms World Cup.
Following the race in Oberhof, Wolter said, “World Cup number three is in the books and oh boy was it a bit of a shock to the system. You always know it’s a different ball game over here but it doesn’t truly materialize until, well, it does and you’re redlining up one of the steeper hills you’ve ever raced on for the sixth time with German fans yelling and smoking cigarettes on the sidelines. It’s awesome to be back on the circuit and I’m hungry for better results this coming weekend. Stay tuned.”
Molly Maybach finished 71st in her first biathlon race against 98 competitors at the Winter Youth Olympic Games Saturday morning in Gangwon, South Korea. “It was so fun - the whole atmosphere is super great and I love being here!” said Maybach. “I felt like I skied well but can work on my shooting for the next event.” Up next for Maybach is the 6km Sprint where she’ll be wearing bib number 23 with a local start time of 9:37:40 p.m. tonight, Monday, Jan. 22.
Heading to the east coast, SVSEF XC Gold Team athlete Mariah Bredal continued her presence on the SuperTour podium this season finishing in fourth place in the Lake Placid SuperTour / Eastern Cup 10km Mass Start at Mt Van Hoevenberg on Sunday. Bredal finished in 00:29:51.7, just two tenths back from third place and 21 seconds off of the first place time of 00:29:30.2. The SuperTour awards prize money for the top six podium finishers in their races. In Saturday’s 1.3km Freestyle Sprint, Bredal qualified into the heats and finished 21st overall. Bredal will head to Craftsbury VT to compete Jan. 26-28, before heading back to Sun Valley to get ready for the 51st annual Zions Bank Boulder Mountain Tour (BMT) on Feb. 3. She finished fourth in last year’s BMT, just over one second out of first place.
Olympic and World Champion and SVSEF XC Gold Team athlete Jake Adicoff is set to compete at the Para Nordic World Cup in Toblach, Italy Jan. 24-28.
Wood River High School student and SVSEF Comp Team athlete Zach Quesnel is currently skiing as an exchange student with Sollefteå Ski Gymnasium in Sweden. Quesnel had the unique opportunity to race in the Nordic Nations Cup at Fallun, Sweden this weekend where he saw his best result in the 10km Classic Individual Start on Sunday placing 65th in the 17-18 age group. Unfortunately the races were canceled on Saturday due to frigidly cold temperatures. Up next for Quesnel, he’ll race with the Sollefteå Skidor team Feb 14-18 in Ulricehamn, Sweden.
Photo: Peter Wolter previews course in Oberhof, Germany
SVSEF U12 Travel Team Takes on Targhee North Series Giant Slalom
First away race of the season delivers experiences in teamwork and triumph
Junior ski racing athletes from across the Intermountain Division descended on Grand Targhee this weekend for the North Series GS races. At the end of two days of racing, Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s U12 Travel Team brought home four podium spots for the girls and seven for the boys.
One of the team’s favorite away races came complete with sunshine, fog, timing delays, crashes, lost skis, good skiing, fun in the pool, BBQ’s in the finish area, and most importantly a whole lot of fun as a team.
“The U12 Travel Team had so much fun this weekend at their first travel races of this season in Targhee,” said Adele Savaria, SVSEF U12 Travel Team Coach. “Many athletes learned how the weather can change at a moment's notice and how to be patient at races due to various potential delays. Many thanks to their parents for providing snacks and lunch at the tent for the athletes and coaches and also carrying their coats when needed. The kids all showed how to be great teammates by cheering each other on and also taking coats down for each other. I’d call it a success all-around for the whole team!”
On Saturday for the U10 Boys, Asa Sattler came in third and Walker Gove just behind in fourth. The U12 Boys saw Charlie Spengler take second and Theron Andra fourth. For the U12 Girls, Savannah Pringle won the race and teammate Jennings Fraser placed fourth.
On Sunday, Walker Gove moved up one spot to third in the U10 Boys race, while the U12 Boys took four of the five podium spots—Theron Andra (1st), Alex Grant (3rd), Charlie Spengler (4th) Brixen Ehleringer (5th). Savannah Pringle took another win for the weekend in the U12 Girls, with Brady Bloomfield racing to fourth place.
“A big thank you to the coaching staff,” said Chuck Harris, SVSEF Junior Program Director. “I took a few opportunities over the weekend to step back and watch the coaching staff do their jobs and I am simply amazed at their knowledge, experience, and dedication to every child on our team. Most importantly I am impressed with their ability to relate, communicate, and teach every child on our team—we are all extremely lucky!”
SVSEF Athlete Results:
U10 Boys GS Jan. 20
- 3rd Asa Sattler
- 4th Walker Gove
U12 Boys GS Jan. 20
- 2nd Charlie Spengler
- 4th Theron Andra
U12 Girls GS Jan. 20
- 1st Savannah Pringle
- 4th Jennings Fraser
U10 Boys GS Jan. 21
- 3rd Walker Gove
U12 Boys GS Jan. 21
- 1st Theron Andra
- 3rd Alex Grant
- 4th Charlie Spangler
- 5th Brixen Ehleringer
U12 Girls GS Jan. 21
- 1st Savannah Pringle
- 4th Brady Bloomfield
For complete race results visit IMD Alpine North Series.