US Alpine Championships 2018
Aug 31, 2018·Alpine Skiing
The U.S. Alpine Championships mark the season finale for U.S. skiers. This season, Sun Valley, Idaho, hosted the events similar to two years ago.
The alpine combined for both genders took place on Wednesday. A.J. Hurt – 17 years old, from the Squaw Valley Ski Team – won the race on the ladies' side. The all-round talent was able to beat several Nor Am Cup winners in the process. At the men’s race, World Cup skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle posted the fastest time in the super-G portion and was able to hold on to his lead in the slalom. It’s the second National title for the skier who was 10th in the Kranjska Gora giant slalom, after his win in the super-G last season.
On Saturday, both super-Gs took place instead of the originally scheduled day of Friday. Nina O’Brien, runner-up in the NorAm rankings in 2017 and 2018, was the fastest on the ladies' side. The more intense focus on the speed disciplines was worth it for Ryan Cochran-Siegle who won the men’s super-G just as he did last season.
In slalom, Colorado natives Nina O’Brien and Hig Roberts snagged the national titles. On the ladies' side, O’Brien continued her dominance in slalom with her second win in as many days, having emerged victorious in Friday’s super-G. This victory brings her national title count to three, as she was crowned 2015 giant slalom national champion as well. On the men’s side, 2017 giant slalom national champion Roberts, who skied a full World Cup season, claimed his second career National title despite competing as an independent.
Tommy Ford snagged the National title in giant slalom on Sunday. Eight years after his first of six U.S. championship titles, the athlete from Mount Bachelor is in an excellent shape, as he also earned his two career best performances in the last two World Cup races in Kranjska Gora and Are.
The U.S. Alpine Championships in Sun Valley concluded on Monday with the ladies’ giant slalom. And here is a name to keep in mind for the future: AJ Hurt. The 17-year-old, who won the combined on Wednesday, was able to snag the giant slalom title as well, as she finished 1.51 seconds ahead of her closest contender.
Full results from this event are available here.
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