J2 Nationals: Morse & Marno collect DH wins

Ben Morse and Anna Marno collected the first wins of the J2 Nationals on the world-class America’s Downhill track in Aspen, Colorado.Ben Morse and Anna Marno collected the first wins of the J2 Nationals on the world-class America’s Downhill track in Aspen, Colorado.

“This is one of the Grand-Daddies of all downhills in North America,” said National Competition Director Walt Evans.

Jonna Mendes, a former national ski team member who has been coaching in the development system all season added, “To get the opportunity to race on a course of this caliber is one that most young athletes don’t get to have. I was fortunate enough to race World Cup here. These kids know that and they’re stepping up to the plate.”

And in the cases of Morse and Marno, they are hitting homeruns.

Marno got an extra chance to run at least most of the course today as she was “flagged,” meaning her run was aborted by officials after a racer before her fell. That she kept her concentration for a second test is remarkable for a relatively inexperienced competitor.

“It’s been a progression throughout the week,” she said, indicating a methodical approach. “I made my best effort to ski the precise line.”

She said coming through Aztec was the toughest section of the course for her. “Aztec was difficult. It’s steep and it was a little rough. But there’s a lot of different terrain. I just tried to ski clean.”

Marno was challenged by Lauren Samuels, the second place finisher 1.22 seconds off the winning pace. Jacquiline Wiles got third, Rose Caston fourth and Greta Bryne fifth.

Morse projected confidence. He said he was fortunate to beat a very good field, but got a premonition things might be going well before he got near the finish. “There’s a right footer (turn) exiting Spring Pitch and it goes into a triple gate corridor. I was able to grab my tuck (there), which I hadn’t been able to do all week (in training). I kinda knew then that I was having a good run.”

It was just good enough to edge Scott Snow for the win. Keiffer Christianson got third, Bryxce Bennet fourth and Alex Jerred fifth.

Both Marno and Morse gained an automatic invitation to the U.S. National Alpine Championships in Alyeska, Alaska later this month.

“That’s going to be a thrill,” said Morse. “It’s the best skiers in the country.” He said he be pleased to break into the top 15, or to earn a junior’s podium.”

Marno said she, too, was excited to be attending the biggest show of the U.S. calendar. “I want to see how well I can do against the rest of the country. I just want to ski my best.

Competition continues with super G racing Tuesday.

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J2 Nationals

Women’s Downhill
Aspen, Colo.,
March 9, 2009
1. Anna MARNO, USA/R/C      1:12.41

2. Lauren SAMUELS, USA/R/C      1:13.63

3. Jacqueline WILES, USA/WST      1:13.91

4. Rose CASTON, USA/WST      1:14.49

5. Greta BYRNE, USA/R/C      1:14.98

6. Mary SACKBAUER, USA/R/C      1:15.25

7. Vanessa BERTHER, USA/WST      1:15.28

8. Katherine RYAN, USA/R/C      1:15.34

9. Sara ANDREWS, USA/R/C      1:15.88

10. Laura HALUPOWSKI, USA/EST      1:15.90

11. Shane MCLEAN, USA/R/C      1:16.06

12. Jacqueline MAIER, USA/EST      1:16.21

13. Chandler BRYANT, USA/WST      1:16.29

14. Katelyn BARCLAY, USA/EST      1:16.46

15. Noah DUFF, USA/WST      1:16.80

16. Foreste PETERSON, USA/WST      1:16.95

17. Sydney STAPLES, USA/WST      1:17.04

18. Emma NAATZ, USA/WST      1:17.07

19. Anne STRONG, USA/R/C      1:17.15

20. Kelsey LOCKE, USA/EST      1:18.05

21. Rylee BURROWS, USA/R/C      1:18.23

22. Joanna COFFEY, USA/R/C      1:18.32

23. Catherine MULLIN, USA/EST      1:18.49

24. Kerry DAIGLE, USA/EST      1:18.50

24. Victoria BOBBE, USA/EST      1:18.50

26. Anna KIKUT, USA/EST      1:18.58

27. Marley PAWLAK, USA/EST      1:18.91

28. Jacqueline LEBEL, USA/WST      1:19.11

29. Makenzie BROWN, USA/EST      1:19.16

30. Brittney ZIEBELL, USA/EST      1:19.35

Men’s Downhill
Aspen, Colo.,
March 9, 2009
1. Ben MORSE, USA/EST      1:10.68

2. Scott SNOW, USA/WST      1:10.83

3. Kieffer CHRISTIANSON, USA/EST      1:11.01

4. Bryce BENNETT, USA/WST      1:11.02

5. Alex JERRED, USA/EST      1:11.38

6. Jake PERKINS, USA/WST      1:11.43

7. Taber ENGELKEN, USA/EST      1:11.48

8. Taylor SHIFFRIN, USA/R/C      1:11.77

8. Tom BOBOTAS, USA/EST      1:11.77

8. Gunnar SHAW, USA/EST      1:11.77

11. Cameron SMITH, USA/EST      1:11.82

12. Luc Henri CHEVALIER, USA/R/C      1:11.83

13. Christoph LENTZ, USA/WST      1:11.96

14. Jack KIRBY, USA/EST      1:12.09

15. Graham COLLINS, USA/WST      1:12.13

16. Bergen PALMER, USA/WST      1:12.29

17. Tanner FARROW, USA/WST      1:12.32

18. Conor MCDONALD, USA/R/C      1:12.33

19. Andrew KIRCHER, USA/WST      1:12.49

20. Victor MAJOR, USA/R/C      1:12.53

21. Jake SCANNELL, USA/WST      1:12.56

22. Eric RASMUSSEN, USA/R/C      1:12.71

23. Zachery RICKENBACH, USA/WST      1:12.72

24. Bronson WRIGHT, USA/WST      1:12.73

25. Macaulay LYON, USA/WST      1:12.75

26. Danny FOWLER, USA/EST      1:12.96

27. Max AXELROD, USA/WST      1:12.99

28. Dylan BROOKS, USA/WST      1:13.05

29. Casey MYRICK, USA/EST      1:13.18

30. Prescott MCLAUGHLIN, USA/EST            1:13.19