Kitzbuehl, Austria (January 20, 2016) – Six athletes from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s U16 National Training Group (NTG) gained some World Cup course experience, and got a taste of what it’s like to race in Europe, when they competed against nine other teams in the Hahnenkamm Juniors event Wednesday.

Kaitlyn Harsch (Avon, CO) competes in slalom at the Hahnenkamm Juniors event Wednesday. (Hahnenkamm.com)

“It gives you a real appreciation on how tough (the Hahnenkamm course) actually is,” said Allie Resnick (Vail, CO). “And how and icy it is. It’s insane, you could barely stop!”

Resnick, along with AJ Hurt (Carnelian Bay, CA), Kaitlyn Harsch (Avon, CO), Ben Ritchie (Waitsfield, VT), Patrick Coughlin (North Salem, NY) and Zane Worrell (Vail, CO), competed against 10 other teams in a two-run, individual giant slalom and slalom race, combining their times for an overall team finish. The U.S. Team finished ninth overall. Austria Team 1 won the event, with Austria Team 2 in second, followed by Slovenia in third.

Ben Ritchie (Waitsfield, VT) competes in the giant slalom event at the Hahnenkamm Juniors event Wednesday. (Hahnenkamm.com)

Last year was the first year the U.S. had participated in the event, and they finished second behind the home country team from Tirol. This year’s team learned that ski racing’s biggest stage is a bumpy, icy, rolling course that demands strength, focus and endurance, while rewarding racers who display the sharpest technical skills.

“It was a really good experience for them on some really hard, injected snow, with a lot of terrain, and some varied course sets – especially in GS,” said U16 coach John Cashman. “A couple of them have never even been to a World Cup race before, so it was sort of mind-blowing for them to see the whole thing of Kitzbuhel … it’s a great experience for them.”

Zane Worrell (Vail, CO) competes in the slalom event at the Hahnenkamm Juniors event Wednesday. (Hahnenkamm.com)

“The most important thing is it gives our athletes a taste of what its like to compete in Europe. How difficult it is, and how much higher the level of intensity is that everybody skis with, as well as, tricky conditions,” said Tiger Shaw, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association president and CEO. “The trail is not smooth and easy. It’s icy and rollie, and they learned a lot today.”

The athletes will have the opportunity to watch the Hahnenkamm races beginning Friday with the men’s combined event.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Six athletes from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s U16 National Training Group (NTG) competed for the U.S. team in the Hahnenkamm Juniors
• Austria Team 1 won the event ahead of Austria Team 2 in second, and Slovenia in third.
• The U.S. Team finished ninth.
• This was the second consecutive year that the U.S. Team has participated in the Hahnenkamm Juniors

QUOTES

Allie Resnick
It gives you a real appreciation on how tough (the Hahnenkamm course) actually is. How and icy it is, it’s insane, you could barely stop.

The GS was really tight, almost like a paneled slalom. But the slalom set was really well – a lot of fun, more like what we ski at home.

Tiger Shaw – President and CEO U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association
The most important thing is it gives our athletes a taste of what its like to compete in Europe. How difficult it is, and how much higher level of intensity that everybody skis with, as well as, tricky conditions.

The trail is not smooth and easy. It’s icy and rollie, and they learned a lot today.

John Cashman – U16 Coach
It was a really good experience for them on some really hard, injected snow, with a lot of terrain, and some varied course sets – especially in GS.

A couple of them have never even been to a World Cup race before, so it was sort of mind-blowing for them to see the whole think of Kitzbuhel, so it’s a great experience for them.

RESULTS
Hahnenkamm Juniors

Source: US Ski Team