J2 Nationals: Samuels and Snow wins finals SG's

Lauren Samuels had already won the J2 National overall title (for a 3 event combined) before the final day of competition and the super G etched down Aspen’s famed track, Ruthies Run. She had not won any of the previous races, but placed second in two of the three races. Then she took the super G.Lauren Samuels had already won the J2 National overall title (for a 3 event combined) before the final day of competition and the super G etched down Aspen’s famed track, Ruthies Run. She had not won any of the previous races, but placed second in two of the three races. Today she took the super G.

“It feels great,” she said. “I wanted to get podiums in three events at Nationals. … and I did that.”

She said the results that surprised her most were her second in slalom, and today’s super G win. “I’ve skied decent slalom this year, but not two runs together. Here, I finally did it.” She said.

“And, super G. I knew the best girls were here and I finally did it.”

Despite getting “a little late on Aztec,” Samuels pulled out the win by a half second over Rose Caston, a member of this season’s team for the World Junior Championships. “I just figured, (when she got late) that I got to get going, and not to give up now.” Good decision.

The winner of the men’s super G was first year J2 Scott Snow who edged Kieffer Christianson – a two time downhill bronze medallist in J2 competition – for the win.

He said his dad and coach just smiled and gave him a big hug after his win. “And then he said ‘better start working, it will be an expensive trip’.”

That was in reference to winning an automatic berth to the Nature Valley U.S. National Championships in Alyeska, Alaska, beginning March 24, where Snow just hopes he can apply some of what he’s learned this year.

He said a National Development Program speed camp at Beaver Creek immediately after the World Cup races in December had been the “highlight of my career,” and that one of the big lessons he carried forward was staying centered on his skis. “I use to work the tails a lot more than the tips,” he said. “At Beaver Creek they really stressed how far forward I needed to be. I wouldn’t have made it through some of the high speed turns today (otherwise).”

Also honored today was men’s combined champion Bryce Bennett who had a miserable day failing to finish the super G. In the other three events, however, he placed fourth (DH), second (SL) and first (GS) for a massively large margin of combined victory.

“I’m pretty thrilled that I was consistent in all my events. It’s important to me that I’m not set on one event.”

And the one thing he said he learned? “In slalom, when you have a lead, don’t give up.”

The Rocky Central divisiont won the Regions Cup over the West 213-205. Rocky women led the charge, taking the gender class 150-103. The Eastern men won their class 122-102 for the West.

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J2 National Junior Olympics

Women’s Super G
Aspen, Colo.,
March 13, 2009
1 Lauren SAMUELS USA/R/C    1:21.43
2 Rose CASTON USA/WST    1:21.99
3 Anna MARNO USA/R/C    1:22.12
4 Abby GHENT USA/R/C    1:22.20
5 Vanessa BERTHER USA/WST    1:22.67
6 Jacqueline WILES USA/WST    1:23.37
7 Sydney STAPLES USA/WST    1:23.90
8 Kaytlyn SAMUELSON USA/R/C    1:24.10
9 Jacqueline LEBEL USA/WST    1:24.31
10 Rylee BURROWS USA/R/C    1:24.76
11 Rebecca WOLF USA/WST    1:25.25
12 Anne STRONG USA/R/C    1:25.28
13 Makenzie BROWN USA/EST    1:25.32
14 Laura CREWS USA/WST    1:25.61
15 Katherine RYAN USA/R/C    1:25.63
16 Sara ANDREWS USA/R/C    1:25.72
17 Samantha HALL USA/WST    1:25.75
18 Chandler BRYANT USA/WST    1:25.76
19 Marley PAWLAK USA/EST    1:25.92
20 Emma NAATZ USA/WST    1:26.24
21 Mary SACKBAUER USA/R/C    1:26.36
22 Catherine MULLIN USA/EST    1:26.60
23 Joanna COFFEY USA/R/C    1:27.29
24 Leah SCOTT USA/WST    1:27.40
25 Emily HAYES USA/EST    1:27.44
26 Victoria BOBBE USA/EST    1:27.74
27 Kristen KARR USA/WST    1:27.92
28 Katie ULVESTAD USA/WST    1:28.57
29 Anna KIKUT USA/EST    1:29.35
30 Katelyn BARCLAY USA/EST    1:36.76

Men’s Super G
Aspen, Colo.,
March 13, 2009
1 Scott SNOW USA/WST    1:19.45
2 Kieffer CHRISTIANSON USA/EST    1:19.63
3 Luc Henri CHEVALIER USA/R/C    1:19.71
3 Taylor SHIFFRIN USA/R/C    1:19.71
5 Ben MORSE USA/EST    1:20.12
6 Gunnar SHAW USA/EST    1:20.33
7 Jack KIRBY USA/EST    1:20.35
8 Maclane BRADY USA/WST    1:20.37
9 Andrew KIRCHER USA/WST    1:20.38
10 Sam MACOMBER USA/EST    1:20.47
11 Casey MYRICK USA/EST    1:20.86
12 Jake SCANNELL USA/WST    1:20.87
13 Robert CONE USA/EST    1:21.10
14 Christoph LENTZ USA/WST    1:21.24
15 Bronson WRIGHT USA/WST    1:21.52
16 Victor MAJOR USA/R/C    1:21.67
17 Michael TURNER USA/WST    1:21.85
18 Hunter RESEK USA/EST    1:21.92
19 Zachery RICKENBACH USA/WST    1:21.95
20 Tom BOBOTAS USA/EST    1:21.98
21 Prescott MCLAUGHLIN USA/EST    1:21.99
22 Sam GLAISHER USA/R/C    1:22.05
23 Conor MCDONALD USA/R/C    1:22.12
23 Dylan BROOKS USA/WST    1:22.12
25 Danny FOWLER USA/EST    1:22.25
26 Brad FARRELL USA/EST    1:22.41
27 Alex JERRED USA/EST    1:22.43
28 Cannon O’BRIEN USA/R/C    1:22.67
29 George RODNEY USA/R/C    1:22.75
30 Kegan ZORENS USA/R/C    1:22.94