Whistler (BC), Canada – The world’s finest junior alpine ski racers have come together for the 18th annual Whistler Cup, the largest and most important ski race in North America for athletes ages 11 to 14. The U.S. has sent a team of 24 top junior athletes from U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) clubs across the U.S. to Whistler for the competition that gets underway today.nThe women’s racers are led by Trofeo Topolino double gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin (Vail, Colo.; Burke Mountain Academy). Shiffrin became the first American since 2007 to win at Topolino, taking gold medals in both GS and slalom.
In the men’s races J3 Junior Olympic gold medalists Max Hall (Olympic Valley, Calif.; Squaw Valley) Hughston Norton (Stateline, Nev.; Heavenly Valley) and Jack Auty (Durham, N.H.; Burke Mountain Academy) will each be in the hunt for the podium.
An estimated 400 athletes from 20 countries will converge on the 2010 Olympic venue at Whistler to race in super G, slalom, giant slalom and combined races. Participants hail from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, U.S.A., U.S. Virgin Islands as well as Hong Kong, the only new entry this season.
“It’s my honor to welcome all athletes, coaches, families, friends, volunteers and sponsors to this thrilling event,” said Whistler Cup Organizing Committee Event Chair Wayne Holm. “Once again we greet young athletes from many nations, as we watch their passionate involvement in their chosen sport and their eagerness to forge lasting friendships that span the globe. We welcome the world and we hope you enjoy the competition.”
Canada won the competition last year, reclaiming the title that it had won for the first time ever in 2007. The United States ended up claiming second spot with Japan in third.
The Whistler Cup has proven to be a destination of future ski racing champions, with remarkably seven of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games medalists at the alpine events having competed in the Whistler Cup including USA’s Lindsey Vonn (Kildow) and Julia Mancuso as well as Slovenia’s Tina Maze and Anja Paerson of Sweden.
The Whistler Cup is one of only eight international events for youth racers, and the only one to be held on North American soil. Competition gets underway today following yesterday’s training.
2010 Whistler Cup Schedule
Friday, April 9
- K2 men’s and women’s super G
- K1 men’s and women’s combined
Saturday, April 10
- K1 and K2 women’s giant slalom
- K1 and K2 men’s slalom
Sunday, April 11
- K1 and K2 men’s giant slalom
- K1 and K2 women’s slalom
2010 USA Whistler Cup Team
(Name, Hometown, Club)
Men
- Jack Auty, Durham, NH (Burke Mountain Academy)
- Ryan Berkshire Mooney, Charlemont, MA (East/Eaglebrook School)
- Kyle Burcin, Basking Ridge, NJ (Killington Mountain School)
- Max Hall, Olympic Valley, CA (Squaw Valley)
- Zac Kjos, La Crosse, WI (Apex Racing)
- Hunter Lord, Kittery Point, ME (Burke Mountain Academy)
- Nicholas Mitchell, Edina, MN (Welch Village)
- Hughston Norton, Stateline, NV (Heavenly Valley Sle Educ Found)
- Peter Papineau, Park City, UT (Park City Ski Team)
- KJ Savaria, Hailey, ID (Sun Valley)
- Mitchell Underhill, Plymouth, MN (Buck Hill)
- Nicholas Veth, Arroyo Seco, NM (Taos Ski Academy)
Women
- Diana Abbott, Middletown, CA (Squaw Valley)
- Julia Bjorkman, Incline Village, NV (Diamond Peak)
- Danielle Brownell-Patty, Carbondale, CO (Aspen)
- Kelly DiNapoli, Ludlow, VT (Holderness School)
- Hannah Johnson, Incline Village, NV (Diamond Peak)
- Madeline Johnson, Truckee, CA (Squaw Valley)
- Brittany Lathrop, S. Londonderry, VT (Stratton Mountain School)
- Montana Marzario, Prior Lake , MN (Buck Hill)
- Julia Mueller-Ristine, Aspen, CO (Aspen)
- Alita Rogers, Huntington, VT (Mt. Mansfield Ski Club)
- Mikaela Shiffrin, Vail, CO (Burke Mountain Academy)
- Kendall Vanhee, Edwards, CO (Ski Club Vail)