The start orders for the men and women at Saturday’s Surefoot Colorado Ski Cup, packed with U.S. Ski Team athletes as well as top level collegiate skiers, made for a very competitive day of racing.
The men’s field included U.S. Ski Team member, Nolan Kasper, who took a second place at a World Cup slalom race earlier this month in Slovenia, Seppi Stiegler, with DU, and U.S. Team member, and Ski and Snowboard Club Vail alum, Will Gregorak.
In Saturday’s SL, Gregorak took third overall behind Kasper and Stiegler.
“My strategy was too conservative on my first run,” said Gregorak. “On my second run I went straighter and tried to be active. I’ve got to go full gas in Sunday’s race.”
Christoph Niederhauser took the top finish for SSCV placing 26th.
“Our men skied solidly for their starting positions,” said coach Mike Wommack. “It’s great to race against this level of athlete, and to have our guys see these skiers compete is a great visual.”
The women’s SL had Sarah Schleper take first.
“It’s great to be back in Vail and on Colorado snow, “ Schleper said. It’s also nice to be racing with my friends on the U.S. C and D teams. I don’t get to see them much during the season.”
U.S. Team members Resi Stiegler and Laurenne Ross placed second and third in Saturday’s SL.
SSCV alumna, Erika Ghent, skiing for CU, took ninth while her sister Abby raced to a third for the junior women and 15th overall.
SSCV’s Great Byrne, Celine Guilmineau, Taylor Rapley, Mary Sackbauer, and Elizabeth Strong finished 20th, 21st, 22nd, 25th, and 26th, respectively.”
“The girls all went for it,” coach J.J. Jensen said. “They had good first and second runs and charged the hill with some aggressive skiing.”
The Surefoot Colorado Ski Cup continues today with more slalom racing for the men and women at Beaver Creek.
Follow SSCV