Big Sky, MT – The 2010 U.S. Adaptive Alpine Championships officially commence today with the men’s and women’s downhill races at Montana’s Big Sky ski resort.nHeadlining this week’s races will be 2010 Paralympic medalists Stephani Victor (Park City, Utah; sit-ski), Danelle Umstead (Taos, N.M.; visually impaired), Alana Nichols (Farmington, N.M.; sit-ski) and Mark Bathum (Seattle, Wash.; visually impaired).

Coming fresh off an impressive 11 medals at the 2010 Paralympics, the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Team is ready to showcase it’s talent on home turf at Big Sky. Joining the Paralympic medalists in the races will be all members of the U.S. Adaptive Alpine’s A, B and C Teams as well as some members from the Development Team.

Among this star studded cast are speed extraordinaires Chris Devlin-Young (Campton, N.H.; sit-ski) and Tyler Walker (Franconia, N.H.; sit-ski) competing for the U.S. champ title, as well as Allison Jones (Winter Park, Colo.; standing).

Although the event officially begins today with the downhill race, competitors got into the zone on Monday with downhill training.

U.S. Adaptive Alpine Championships Schedule:

• March 29 – Men’s and women’s downhill training
• March 30 – Men’s and women’s downhill
• March 31 – Men’s and women’s super G
• April 1 – Men’s and women’s GS
• April 2 – Men’s and women’s slalom