Featured Image: Men’s super-G podium at the Kimberley NorAm races. Credit: Duncan Gibson-MacLean
At the NorAm speed event in Kimberley, BC, Canada, the athletes raced two days of downhill and two days of super-G. The downhill had an untraditional format with two-run downhill races for both the men and women.
Before the downhill, it had snowed quite a bit, but the course crew had been focused on maintaining it, so they successfully kept it in shape for the race. “The course crew has done a great job of keeping the track in shape despite the weather,” Shae O’Brien of Canada stated.
The super-G event was run traditionally for both genders on February 8th and 9th.
Haley Cutler from Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (SVSEF) and Raphael Lessard skiing for the University of Utah were the ultimate champions of the super-G races, capturing both victories.
The two athletes showcased their exceptional skills by securing spots on the podium in both of their downhill events, achieving an impressive four-run podium streak. Even more remarkable, Haley Cutler emerged victorious in all four races.
Women’s Super G Day 1
On the first day of the super-G event, Annika Hunt of Burke Mountain Academy was first out of the start. Hunt achieved her inaugural downhill NorAm podium and a 6th place, so she was feeling strong heading into the super-G.
Hunt stated, “I love downhill; I think it is very fun, but I didn’t think that I was very good at it until this race series, so the podium felt like a huge success for me.”
Her newly found confidence with speed and her tech background meshed well for the super-G, finishing the initial day in 3rd place.
Racing bib-14, Elisabeth Bocock of the Stifel US Ski Team, conquered another NorAm podium. She concluded the day +0.49 off the lead and -0.17 ahead of Hunt.
Bocock has her focus set on a main goal this season. She stated, “My main focus for this season is World Junior Championships,” she continued, “I will hopefully improve my starting position in future World Cups, as well as at World Juniors.”
The NorAms are valuable building blocks to achieving her ambitions.
Coming off her winning momentum from the downhill races, Haley Cutler came into the super-G event ready to attack. She was able to put down a dominating run.
She also has a set goal with NorAm races: “My goal with NorAms is to win the title so I can take it to the World Cup circuit again next season!”
Men’s Super-G Day 1
The winner of both of the downhill races, Kyle Alexander, was fifth out of the start for the first super-G. The Alpine Canada Alpin athlete used the cleaner track to his advantage and put down a strong run.
Nonetheless, Lessard came down directly after him, snatching the lead by a dominating margin. Lessard finished the day -1.22 ahead of Alexander.
Last season, Lessard did not earn any NorAm points, making his achievement of securing his second victory and fifth podium finish on the NorAm Cup Circuit this season a remarkable milestone for the athlete.
He aims to secure “as many wins as possible” on the NorAm circuit this season, so Lessard is focused on achieving top results and will keep pushing himself in every discipline to reach that goal.
Kyle Blandford of Toronto Ski Club rounded out the day-one super-G podium, coming through +1.78 behind the lead.
This marked Blandford’s first podium on the NorAm circuit and secured an all-Canadian podium.
Men’s Super-G Day 2
On the second day of the NorAm super-G, everyone was aware of what was ahead, so they were ready to push their limits to secure a place on the leaderboard. Also, as the last day of a long NorAm event, the athletes wanted to leave it all on the hill.
Raphael Lessard did not hold anything back. Although he had already secured two podium finishes and a win the previous day, he was fully committed to doing what he could to add another victory to his record.
This was the tightest race of the series between the closest competitors, Lessard and Kyle Alexander. Alexander ended the day just +0.13 off of Lesserd’s blazing time.
Rounding out the podium was Tanner Perkins who competes for Montana State University. This was a milestone for the 23-year-old as it marked his first NorAm podium result and a step closer to a victory.
Perkins stated in an interview at a World Pro Ski Tour race, “If I win NorAms, then I get a spot to race World Cups,” he continued, “That’s kind of my goal, but if it doesn’t happen this year or next year, I’ll probably be done. I’m not going to keep pursuing skiing outside of college. I’ll go get a job.”
Women’s Super-G Day 2
The women were the final competitors to finish the Kimberley NorAm speed series, and they were determined to perform at their highest level.
Logan Grosdidier from the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club was the first to launch from the start gate. In every race they compete in, she and her older sister Tatum push one another.
Tatum represents both the Dartmouth Ski Team and the Stifel US Ski Team. At this race, it was Tatum who claimed the lead and secured a spot on the podium in their competitive sibling rivalry. Tatum concluded the day in 3rd place, +1.98 off the fastest time.
Annika Hunt secured her third 2nd-place result of her NorAm career. This marked the third at Kimberley and her fifth NorAm podium.
Racing in with another demanding lead, Haley Cutler throws down a time that was -1.16 faster than the field. This was an incredible streak of victories for the 27-year-old.
She stated on social media, “4 days, 4 yays! I have done three wins in a row before, but never four, especially not in NorAms! Holy cow!”
“It feels great to gain some confidence again and to ski to my full potential. My goal is to take these feelings forward with me! But, for now, some time to rest at home,” Cutler explained.
This season was a World Cup debut for Haley Cutler, and this will help her continue that pursuit. She stated, “My World Cup debut season has been so incredible and truly an eye-opening experience. It’s a whole new level of racing. I have a newfound respect for the sport and that level of racing that I aspire to get to.”
Next up for the NorAm Cup Circuit is the Stifel Success NorAm Cup Finals in Sugarloaf, Maine.
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
