HAFJELL, Norway (Feb. 16, 2016) – Keely Cashman (Squaw Valley, CA, 16, National Training Group/Squaw Valley Ski Team) grabbed 15^th place Tuesday in the giant slalom at the Youth Olympic Winter Games.  The giant slalom podium featured Switzerland’s Melanie Meillard finishing first, with Germany’s Katrin Hirtl-Stanggassinger finishing second and Switzerland’s Aline Danioth rounding out the podium in third.  “Snow was bullet proof and it was an excellent race,” said women’s NTG head coach Thomas Erhard. “Great learning experience for her at a major Championship.”

One of the top skiers in the world in her age group, Cashman also finished 10th in the super G on Saturday. Onward and upward, Cashman will now look ahead to Thursday’s slalom.

On Monday, the athletes of the Youth Olympic Games received a visit from a very special guest, Youth Olympic Games Ambassador Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO). When the all-time winningest female alpine ski racer is not busy winning Audi FIS Ski World Cups – her win tally is now 76 – she enjoys spending time off the mountain helping to inspire and encourage the next generation of champions.

U.S. athletes pose for a selfie with the Olympic Champion Lindsey Vonn at the Youth Olympic Village during the Youth Olympic Winter Games on Monday in Lillehammer, Norway. (YIS/IOC-Thomas Lovelock)

Vonn’s advice for athletes included everything from encouraging athletes to enjoy the entire Games experience to finding a hero to inspire them. Of course, she also advised athletes to get a dog, as Vonn just purchased her third puppy, a King Charles Cavalier named Lucy.

Modeled after the Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games debuted its winter event in 2012 at Innsbruck, Austria. Held every four years, the Youth Olympic Winter Games feature more than 1,100 athletes aged 15 to 18, from around the world. Alpine events will include slalom, giant slalom, super G, downhill and alpine combined. The Games continue through February 21.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Keely Cashman was 15^th in Tuesday’s giant slalom.
• Cashman finished 10th in the Youth Olympic Winter Games super G on Saturday, and failed to finish the slalom portion of the Alpine Combined on Monday.
• One of the top Cashman is currently ranked seventh on the FIS list for world age group rankings.
• Alpine racing at the Youth Olympic Winter Game continues Wednesday, when River Radamus (Edwards, CO, U.S. Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) will be going for a third gold in the men’s giant slalom.
• The action continues for the women on Thursday with slalom.
• Live broadcasts, event and daily highlights are available on the Youth Olympic Winter Games YouTubeChannel.

RESULTS
Women’s giant slalom