U.S. Nationals: Who is … J2 Michael Ankeny

It might have been somewhat of a surprise to see such a young kid storm into the fifth spot in Saturday’s slalom at U.S. Nationals in Sugarloaf, Maine — but not if it’s Michael Ankeny.
IT MIGHT HAVE been somewhat of a surprise to see such a young kid storm into the fifth spot in Saturday’s slalom at U.S. Nationals in Sugarloaf, Maine — but not if it’s Michael Ankeny.
    At the J2 Junior Olympics in Aspen, Colo., earlier this month, the recently turned 17-year-old took the overall title dominating the field with a series of podiums: a first in slalom, second in GS and downhill and a third in super G. Gee. “I was thrilled to do better in the speed events there,” Ankeny said. “I come from Minnesota, and that was my first speed event all season.”
    And his speedy skiing is turning some heads. Jimmy Cochran, the slalom champ Saturday and a World Cup regular, acknowledged that the product of Buck Hill Ski Racing Club is someone to keep an eye on.
    “Watching the younger guys ski today, it is amazing,” said Cochran after his winning run. “It’s amazing to watch people like that ski and think, ‘Wait, I beat those guys.’ “But the nature of this sport, especially in slalom, the young guys are pushing the technique and the line and the equipment and we’re kinda holding on. There’s a lot to be learned from watching guys like Michael Ankeny, basically all those up-and-coming junior racers. I mean, they’re fast.”
    As for Ankeny, he’s taking advantage of being part of nationals and competing against skiers racing on the world stage such as Cochran. So far Ankeny has learned that “experience matters” most, he said.
    “All these guys are a lot older than me and they know how to ski courses like this and know how to deal with it when races are postponed,” he said. “I’m just watching them, learning from them, taking it all in.”
    It seems as though paying attention is sinking in if Saturday’s results are any indication of what’s to come from this racer in the next few days. He hopes to make a big impression.
    “I hope to make the U.S. Ski Team and get on that program, and I’m really looking forward to finishing high school and applying to colleges,” he said. “Hopefully I will get into Dartmouth.”
    His favorite subjects: “Math and science, I’m a number cruncher,” he said.
    But it doesn’t take a number cruncher to point out what’s happening on the hill. Ankeny is fast.