Storied Alyeska Resort to host 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships

Storied Alyeska Resort to host 2007 U.S. Alpine ChampionshipsAfter a successful 2006 event at Sugarloaf in Maine, the alpine nationals are headed west — way west.

The U.S. Alpine Championships return to the slopes of Alaska’s Alyeska Resort, with the 2007 event set for March 27 to April 3.

The 2007 races will feature the country’s best athletes, including Olympic gold-medals winners Ted Ligety and Julia Mancuso, along with other members of the 2006 U.S. Olympic team and perhaps newly crowned FIS world champions.

“We’re very excited to return to Alaska with the U.S. Alpine Championships,” said USSA President and CEO Bill Marolt. “Alaska is a very important region for alpine ski racing with a history of strong athletes. Alyeska has been an outstanding host for the championships and we’re proud to return.”

No stranger to hosting major competitions, Alyeska Resort first hosted the U.S. Alpine Championships 26 years ago, in 1981, and most recently in 2004. It was at the ’81 championships that Phil Mahre, fresh off winning his first overall World Cup title, won the U.S. giant slalom title while brother Steve won the slalom. In 1989, Alyeska played host to the Junior World Alpine Championships where the U.S. team captured eight medals, including gold in super G and combined by Alaska racer Tommy Moe.

“Alyeska is honored to host the U.S. Alpine Championships again,” said Larry Daniels, Alyeska Resort general manager. “The 2004 event was very successful and we hope to build on Alyeska’s reputation of being a great venue that truly tests the athletes’ skills in all disciplines. Alaska has a very dedicated alpine race community that always rises to the challenge to host the best skiers in the nation. We look forward to the return of our many friends in the racing community.”

The U.S. Alpine Championships are considered a right of passage for many young racers who are hungry for the opportunity to ski in front of the national coaching staff and at the highest level of domestic ski racing. The championships match the best U.S. Ski Team athletes with hundreds of aspiring American skiers looking to measure themselves against world-class racers as they aim for spots on the U.S. Ski Team.

2007 U.S. Alpine Championships schedule:
March 27 – Downhill training
March 28 – Downhill training
March 29 – FIS downhill race
March 30 – U.S. championships men’s and women’s downhill
March 31 – Men’s and women’s super G
April 1 – Men’s and women’s slalom
April 2 – Men’s giant slalom
April 3 – Women’s giant slalom

From an economic standpoint, the U.S. Alpine Championships are expected to bring more than $2 million to the local economy as approximately 1,000 athletes, parents, officials and media attend.

“Events like the U.S. Alpine Championships bring great media exposure to Anchorage and Alyeska,” said Bruce Bustamante, president and CEO of the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It also gives us the opportunity to prove that we can provide a quality experience and demonstrates that we want to host future events. As Anchorage continues to grow in popularity as a winter destination, hosting nationally recognized events such as the U.S. championships increases our exposure as a quality ski venue.”