The most talented 15 and 16 year-old alpine racers in the United States are at Mammoth Mountain, CA competing in downhill, Super G, giant slalom, and slalom at the J2 National Championships.

After Wednesday’s downhill was rescheduled to Thursday, 3/8, a slalom race was put on the docket for Wednesday, and Ski & Snowboard Club Vail’s Alex Leever raced to third, stopping the clock in 1:24.79.

Leever stood in fourth after the first run, just 4/10ths out of first.

“After the first run, I really thought I could win it,” said Leever.  “My coach, Peter Lange, set the second course which was more demanding, and I was excited that I moved onto the podium.”

“Leever skied well both runs,” said coach Peter Lange.  “We’re really happy with his result.”

Erik Arvidson, with the Squaw Valley Ski Team, took first for the men in 1:24.17, and Max Hall, also skiing for the Squaw Valley Ski Team, placed second with a 1:24.49.

Florian Szwebel, Clayton Kirwood, and Bryan Bailey, and Alex Barounos, all SSCV athletes, finished the slalom in 27th, 34th, 39th, and 43rd, respectively, while Nick Santaniello did not finish his first run.

In the women’s slalom, SSCV’s Erika McCormick placed 19th with teammate Grace Merriman in 25th.