Nationals: U.S. Champs coming to Alyeska

 All eyes will be watching for World Cup overall, downhill and super G champion Lindsey Vonn to add more notches to her belt of success this season as the best alpine skiers in the U.S. head to Alyeska, Alaska for the 2009 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships, March 26-31.

“I’m really looking forward to going up to Alaska,” Vonn said. “It’s nice to finish up the season by having races in the U.S. and I’m excited to make the trip up there.”

For the third time in six years Alyeska will play host to national skiers looking to make their mark as best in the U.S. in downhill, super G, giant slalom, slalom and super combined, and also try to earn points for the region’s cup.

“We’ve had some fantastic national events in Alyeska in the past. They have great venues and we really look forward to returning there to contend for national titles,” said U.S. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt.

 All eyes will be watching for World Cup overall, downhill and super G champion Lindsey Vonn to add more notches to her belt of success this season as the best alpine skiers in the U.S. head to Alyeska, Alaska for the 2009 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships, March 26-31.

“I’m really looking forward to going up to Alaska,” Vonn said. “It’s nice to finish up the season by having races in the U.S. and I’m excited to make the trip up there.”

For the third time in six years Alyeska will play host to national skiers looking to make their mark as best in the U.S. in downhill, super G, giant slalom, slalom and super combined, and also try to earn points for the region’s cup.

“We’ve had some fantastic national events in Alyeska in the past. They have great venues and we really look forward to returning there to contend for national titles,” said U.S. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt.

This season athletes looking to win national champion medals will truly be skiing against the world’s best with the likes of Vonn, World Championship giant slalom bronze medalist Ted Ligety, World Cup winner Marco Sullivan and Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso.

According to Hunt, U.S. Championships are a chance for the best athletes in the nation to come together in the spirit of competition.

“Nationals is a great opportunity for our ski community to come together. The timing and location make it a homecoming for our top athletes that have been competing on the road all season and it is a great opportunity for the young ones to ski with our international stars,” Hunt said.

According to Vonn, while U.S. Championships are about competing to be the best skier in the nation, they are also a chance for her to hopefully inspire younger athletes by meeting them.

“U.S. Championships are always a good opportunity for me to connect with up-and-coming athletes and different ski clubs from across the nation,” Vonn said.

Six days of alpine racing kick off March 26th with the annual FIS downhill followed by the start of title races on the 27th, also with the downhill.

2009 Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships

Thursday, March 26
Men’s and Women’s downhill FIS race

Friday, March 27
Men’s and Women’s downhill
Opening Ceremonies starting at 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 28
Men’s and Women’s super G

Sunday, March 29
Men’s and Women’s slalom

Monday, March 30
Women’s giant slalom

Tuesday, March 31
Men’s giant slalom