Competition at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games kicked off today (Jan. 14) in Innsbruck, Austria.

More than 1,000 athletes ages 15-18 from 70 countries have gathered to compete and learn from each other in cultural exchange.

The alpine skiers were the first snow-based competitors to vie for medals with men’s and women’s super G races today. Moroccan Adam Lamhamedi took the men’s race by 0.12 seconds. Ski and Snowboard Club Vail’s Alex Leever represented the U.S. in 16th. Canadian Martin Grasic did not finish.

In the women’s super G, France’s Estelle Alphand took the gold ahead of Norwegian and Austrian podium mates. Canada’s Mikaela Tommy led the North Americans in 11th. Julia Mueller-Ristine of the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club did not finish.

The alpine racers will be back at it tomorrow in super combined races. Click here for the full alpine schedule.

Flying Eagles ski club’s Emilee Anderson finished ninth in the women’s ski jumping competition while Canadian Taylor Henrich took fifth. Park City Nordic Ski Club’s William Rhoads took 19th in the men’s contest and Dusty Korek represented Canada in eighth.

For full results click here. Competition will continue through Jan. 21.

Click here to see a full list of American competitors.

Image by Gepa