Whiteface to host U.S. alpine championships

By Published On: July 30th, 2009Comments Off on Whiteface to host U.S. alpine championships

LAKE PLACID, NY (July 30) – The greatest alpine skiers in the country are set to return to the Olympic venue of Whiteface/Lake Placid March 20-23 as the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) announced Whiteface as host of the 2010 U.S. Alpine Championships.

Located in nearby Wilmington, the 1980 Olympic alpine venue will feature athletes fresh from the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver including two-time World Cup overall champion and double World Championships gold medalist Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and 2006 Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety (Park City, UT).

LAKE PLACID, NY (July 30) – The greatest alpine skiers in the country are set to return to the Olympic venue of Whiteface/Lake Placid March 20-23 as the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) announced Whiteface as host of the 2010 U.S. Alpine Championships.

Located in nearby Wilmington, the 1980 Olympic alpine venue will feature athletes fresh from the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver including two-time World Cup overall champion and double World Championships gold medalist Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) and 2006 Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety (Park City, UT).

“On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games, there is no better way to celebrate than by hosting the 2010 U.S. Alpine National Championships. Our nation’s top skiers will compete on Whiteface – the Olympic Mountain,” said Governor David Paterson. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, we are honored to be hosting this event, which is a wonderful way to welcome home our Olympians and keep the legacy of the Whiteface and Lake Placid alive.”

“This is another tribute to the venue and staff we have at Whiteface. The activity generated from these national championships will again solidify our role in the winter sporting world,” said ORDA Chairman Joe Martens. “I thank the volunteers that help to make competition like this possible.”

“They’ve done a lot of work on the hill the last couple years and I think they’re equipped to put on a great event. They had an awesome U.S. Champs the last time it was there with a huge turnout,” said hometown hero Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) “People up there get excited. On a personal level, I am psyched to be able to compete at home. I think it has the potential to be a really great competition.”

Whiteface has been home to the NorAm Finals the past two seasons and successfully hosted the 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships.

“With Lake Placid’s Olympic heritage, hosting this event at Whiteface is going to be the perfect place to welcome our Olympians home and celebrate their success,” said USSA Vice President of Events Calum Clark. “ORDA has once again gone over and above in their commitment to this event in order to deliver the best possible venues for these competitions.”

Competition opens Saturday, March 20 with super G, followed by slalom on Sunday. Men’s giant slalom is set for Monday with the women’s giant slalom closing four days of intense competition on Tuesday, March 23. Men’s and women’s downhill will be held in coordination with a NorAm series race earlier in the season in order to best utilize an already prepared speed venue.

“We are honored to have been awarded the 2010 U.S. Alpine Championships,” said ORDA President and CEO Ted Blazer. “We have a wonderful relationship with USSA and are confident that these national championships will be one of the best yet. We look forward to welcoming home our Olympians.”

In addition to the top World Cup racers, the U.S Championships also feature the next generation of World Cup and Olympic athletes as the event also crowns junior champions. Numerous young racers have qualified for the U.S. Development Team following their performances at the U.S. Championships.

2010 U.S. Alpine Championships Schedule

Friday, March 19
Athlete Arrival

Saturday, March 20
Men’s & Women’s Super G
Opening Ceremonies

Sunday, March 21
Men’s & Women’s Slalom
Parent/Athlete Banquet

Monday, March 22
Men’s Giant Slalom

Tuesday, March 23
Women’s Giant Slalom

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About the Author: Pete Rugh