U.S. Names Strong World Junior Alpine Ski Team
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PARK CITY, UT (Feb. 17) — Defending triple gold medalist Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA), fellow Olympian Lindsey C. Kildow (Vail, CO) and Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY), who just competed in the World Championships, were named Monday to compete in the alpine World Junior Championships next month in France.
U.S. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt said the team was selected based on a variety of World Cup, Europa Cup, and Nor Am results. The championships are scheduled for March 1-8 in Brianconnais, France.
Included on the team (with hometown, home club):
Men
Nate Asoian, 17, Vail, CO; Ski Club Vail
Nick Baker, 18; Gilford, NH; Rowmark Academy
Greg Hardy, 19, Wardsboro, VT; Stratton Mountain School; U.S. Development Team
Jeff Harrison, 19, Steilacoom, WA; White Pass Ski Club; U.S. Development Team
Ted Ligety, 18, Park City, UT; Park City Ski Team
Jeremy Transue, 19, Hunter, NY; GMVS; U.S Development Team
Evan Weiss, 18, Kenmore, WA; Stevens Pass Ski Team; U.S. Development Team
Women
Stacey Cook, 18, Truckee, CA; Mammoth Mountain Ski Club
Lindsey C. Kildow, 17, Vail; Ski Club Vail; U.S. B Team
Julia Mancuso, 18, Olympic Valley, CA; Squaw Valley Ski Team; U.S. B Team (’02 World Juniors gold medalist in DH, GS, combined)
Bryna McCarty, 19, Concord, VT; Burke Mountain Academy/Green Mountain Valley School; U.S. C Team
Kaylin Richardson, 18, Edina MN; Team Gilboa; U.S. Development Team
Ashley Spina, 17, Guildhall, VT; BMA; U.S. Development Team
Resi Stiegler, 17, Jackson Hole, WY; Park City Ski Team; U.S. C Team
Lauren Van Ness, 19, Colorado Springs, CO; Ski Club Vail; U.S. Development Team
Mancuso won the downhill, giant slalom and combined titles a year ago at the World Junior Championships after racing at the Olympics. This winter, she has scored Wordl Cup points in slalom, super G, downhill and combined, and was seventh in combined at Worlds.
In just her second World Cup, Stiegler was 11th in a slalom in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, three days before Christmas; she was 10th in combined and 19th in slalom at the World Championships, which conclude this weekend in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Previously, she had been fourth in a Europa Cup slalom and sixth in back-to-back, European-packed Chevy Truck Super Series giant slaloms in November.
Kildow missed most of December with a left hip strain, but since returning a month ago, she has posted five Europa Cup top-10s in downhill, super G and giant slalom. She previously won a Nor Am super G and was second in a slalom.
“This is a well-balanced team going to World Juniors,” Hunt said. “We have athletes who have proven themselves at every level from Nor Am and Europa Cup and previous World Juniors. I’m excited about this group and we’re looking to continue the success we’ve had in recent seasons.”
A year ago, with Mancuso leading the way, U.S. skiers won seven medals at the championships and earned the Marc Hodler Award, which is given to the top team.