Press Release-Ski & Snowboard Club Vail U16 Alpine Athletes Sweep the Giant Slalom and Slalom Podiums at the SmartWool Championships-March 23, 2015

In an exciting weekend of racing, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail (SSCV) U16 alpine racers swept the men’s and ladies’ podiums in Giant Slalom and Slalom at the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) Rocky Mountain Division SmartWool Ski Cup/Garner Games Championships in Winter Park this weekend.  The finale in this season’s SmartWool series brought together men and women racers ages 13 to college age to challenge themselves in Giant Slalom, Slalom and Dual Slalom races over three days.

SSCV athletes took eight of the top 10 spots in men’s Giant Slalom and Slalom, and six of the top 10 spots in ladies’ Slalom and Giant Slalom.

“Throughout the season, our athletes have brought their best on race day,” said Rob Worrell, SSCV’s USSA Team Head Coach.  “The results they have achieved are directly related to the hard work that they put in on the hill day-in and day-out.  I am really looking forward to seeing what they accomplish next in their young careers.”

On Friday, Nellie Rose Talbot finished first in ladies’ Giant Slalom, with Dylan Fiore and Gretchen Pavelich taking the silver and bronze, respectively.  Bridger Gile was on top of the men’s Giant Slalom podium, and Jacob Dilling and Matt Macaluso took home silver and bronze, respectively.

In Saturday’s Slalom races, Nellie Rose Talbot again took home the gold, with Michaela Strizencova in second and Emma Hall in third.  On the men’s side, Colby Lange was first, with Bridger Gile second and Ben Kooiman third.

Sunday’s Dual Slalom brought the weekend to a fun close, with athletes skiing head-to-head in elimination rounds to determine the overall winners.  Top performers for SSCV were Nellie Rose Talbot in 1^st and Anneli Holm in 3^rd for the Women and Colby Lange in 1^st, Peer Carnes in 2^nd, Bridger Gile in 3^rd and Jacob Dilling in 4^th for the Men.

“The strength of this team is truly impressive,” said Karen Ghent, SSCV Alpine Program Director. “They have worked hard, pushed each other and raised the bar on themselves and their competitors.  They should be proud.  I look forward to watching their success in the future.”

Ghent went on to acknowledge the importance of Vail Resorts in supporting SSCV’s athletes.  “They could not have achieved this high level without the support of Vail Resorts, which provides unprecedented resources for our teams. SSCV appreciates the relationship we have with the resort and thanks them for all of their support.”

All SSCV athlete results for the Giant Slalom and Slalom races are listed below.  A complete list of results can be found at www.live-timing.com.