The team looking sharp while out for dinner in White Pass, Washington
The Alpine Ski team has been keeping busy this January with two slalom races over the past two weekends. The women’s team continued their winning streak from Idaho to the first day of racing at 49 degrees north in Chewelah, Washington. Once again led by senior Michele Warner, who claimed bronze in the first slalom of the season. Warner was followed by Maija Wootton who skied her way to a top ten finish, with Florence Thibodeau closely behind, both in their first race of the season.
The men’s team was led by freshmen Andreas Petersen whose second run cut his first run place in half, from 44th to 21st! Unfortunately finishing proved to be a challenging task for the entire mens field and Petersen was the lone UBC skier on the second run. The men’s team came out charging in their second day at 49 degrees north with second year Jake Klonsky skiing his way to a top 10 finish. Not far behind was senior Ryan Chiricosta who finished just outside the top ten with an 11th place finish in his first race of the season.
The women’s team was once again led by senior Michele Warner who continued her streak on the podium with a 3rd place finish. And was once again followed by Maija Wootton who claimed a spot in the top 15, with freshmen Mélanie Magerstädt skiing her way into a 16th place finish. The women’s team ended the weekend with a second place finish on the second day of racing.
From left to right: Ryan Chiricosta, Jake Klonsky, Andreas Petersen
Last weekend the team traveled down to White Pass, Washington for the next slalom of the season. The women’s team headed into the first day of racing ready to hit the race course at full speed, after the first run UBC had 4 women in the top 10. The second run thinned out the crowd but second year Anastasia Kiku fought to the end and earned the silver. Third year Katherine Greer was directly behind her, claiming the bronze and winning the second run! Freshman Helena Newboult skied into a top 15 finish which clinched the women’s team win for that day. The men’s team fought their best against a difficult course and was able to finish the day with second year John Forssander in a top 10, followed by freshmen Max Duso with a top 20.
Finishing proved difficult for the women on the second day, but that didn’t stop second year Samantha Boughner who led the charge with a first place finish on both runs. Followed by Katherine Greer in 5th place and third year Molly Voltz in 12th. The men’s team was led by Jake Klonsky who ended the day with a top 10 finish!
Michele Warner rocking the leader bib in Chewelah, Washington
The team is looking forward to have a rest weekend and some more training before heading to the last conference race of the season in Government Camp, Oregon. The women’s team will be fighting to maintain their lead and finish up the regular season in first place!
To see all race results check the USCSA website here and make sure to follow along on live timing next weekend to watch the skibirds in their last race of the regular season, a GS at Mt.Hood!
Follow along on the website and in our newsletter for more features and team updates!