USA’ Jett Seymour tops ANC slalom podium: photo Julia Bentley
Borgnaes Opens Series in Mt. Hutt GS
The ANC men’s series began on Aug. 18 in Mt. Hutt with giant slalom. Christian Borgnaes of Denmark (DEN) attacked both runs to win, followed by Storm Andre Hagen of Norway (NOR) and Louis Mühlen-Schulte of Australia (AUS), a former Montana State NCAA racer, in third.
For the United States, Patrick Kenney (USA) was fourth, just outside the podium but showing speed that carried through the series. Isaiah Nelson (USA) finished eighth, a solid start but one that hinted at more. Nelson looked capable of breaking deeper into the top five, a sign of his growing potential. William St-Germain of Canada (CAN), a former University of Vermont skier now racing with Global Racing, added a 10th-place finish.
Mühlen-Schulte Claims First Mt. Hutt Slalom
The first men’s slalom on Aug. 21 went to Mühlen-Schulte (AUS), who built on his early GS podium. Christoph Meissl of Austria (AUT) was second, and Theodor Braekken of Norway (NOR) third.
Jett Seymour (USA), a Stifel U.S. Ski Team World Cup slalom racer, took seventh. Camden Palmquist (USA) followed in ninth, adding another top-10.
Hystad Solberg Strikes in Second Slalom
The second Mt. Hutt slalom on Aug. 22 was won by Eirik Hystad Solberg (NOR). Mühlen-Schulte (AUS) earned another podium in second, while Braekken (NOR) was third.
Jett Seymour (USA), earned another seventh, Palmquist (USA) followed in eighth and Jacob Dilling (USA) added another top-10.
Kato Breaks Through in Coronet GS
The first GS on Sept. 3, Seigo Kato of Japan (JPN) claimed victory, with Andreas Zampa of Slovakia (SVK) second and Borgnaes (DEN) third.
Kenney (USA) again led the Americans with sixth place, adding another strong GS result. George Steffey (USA), racing with Global Racing after returning from missing the entire 2025 season with a back injury, placed ninth.
Borgnaes Wins in 2nd Coronet GS
The second GS on Sept. 6 went to Borgnaes of Denmark. Kato of Japan earned another podium in second, while Andreas Zampa of Slovakia was third.
William St-Germain of Canada (CAN) had his best result of the ANC series, finishing 5th. Isaiah Nelson (USA) finished sixth, showing versatility outside his primary slalom focus. Steffey (USA) was eighth, making it two Americans inside the top 10.
Seymour Breaks Through in Coronet Slalom
The first Coronet Peak slalom on Sept. 8 delivered the breakthrough U.S. win. Seymour (USA) attacked both runs to take victory. Hystad Solberg (NOR) was second, and Tormis Laine (EST) third.
Palmquist (USA) added another top-10 with eighth place.
Seymour Repeats in Series Finale
The ANC series concluded with another slalom in Coronet Peak on Sept. 9, and Seymour was again the fastest. The American claimed back-to-back victories to close the series. Meissl (AUT) finished second, while Hystad Solberg (NOR) rounded out the podium in third.
Palmquist (USA) continued his consistency, finishing seventh. Just outside the top 10 was Armand Marchant of Belgium (BEL), a World Cup slalom star making his return from surgery. His 11th-place result was less important than the fact he was back in the start gate.
Seymour Reflects on Double Wins
For Seymour, the two ANC victories were more than just results. Each came at the minimum 15-point penalty, lowering his FIS slalom points. That will significantly improve his start number in World Cup races, giving him better course conditions and a stronger chance to score.
“These wins bump my start position up again … which is pretty huge for this season,” Seymour said after the races.
The camp also marked a period of change. Seymour switched to Atomic equipment this summer and has been working closely with a new technician, Manny “the Italian Stallion.” The ANC block gave them time to sort out the new setup.
Training conditions across New Zealand, from Round Hill to Coronet Peak, provided a mix of challenges. “Almost every single day of training has been unbelievable … finally we got some good surfaces here at Coronet,” Seymour noted.
He also credited Jeffrey Frisch, who joined the U.S. Ski Team coaching staff this spring, with organizing high-quality training and mixing in GS work to round out the camp. “Jeff has been amazing, setting up good training … all of it as a whole has been super productive and a super positive step in the right direction.”
North American Takeaway
The U.S. men left New Zealand with podiums, wins, and depth across events.
- Seymour (USA): Two consecutive victories in Coronet Peak slalom underlined his World Cup-level class and gave him valuable FIS points heading into the Olympic year.
- Kenney (USA): Fourth in Mt. Hutt GS and sixth in Coronet GS confirmed his reestablished place on the U.S. team after a World Cup season with Global Racing.
- Nelson (USA): Eighth in the Mt. Hutt GS showed progress, but his skiing suggested he is capable of even more. He improved to sixth in the second Coronet Peak race, but he is capable of podiums at this level.
- Camden Palmquist (USA): Four slalom top-10s (9th Aug. 21, 8th Aug. 22, 8th Sept. 8, 7th Sept. 9) highlighted his steady growth and reliability in the technical discipline.
- Steffey (USA): Ninth in the Coronet GS on Sept. 6 and 8th Sept. 6 were strong markers in his return to form from a serious back injury.
For Canada, St-Germain (CAN) shined with two GS top-10s: 10th in Mt. Hutt and fifth in Coronet Peak.
The ANC races offered invaluable opportunities for World Cup start-number improvements. North Americans also revealed depth and momentum as the 2026 Olympic season approaches.
Australians Earn World Cup Opportunities
Louis Mühlen-Schulte of Australia (AUS) was one of the standout performers of the ANC series. His podiums in giant slalom secured him a personal Continental Cup World Cup start position in GS for the coming season.
In slalom, Hugh McAdam of Australia (AUS) also earned a personal Continental Cup World Cup start position, giving Australia added representation on the international stage. Both athletes used the ANC block to establish themselves among the region’s top performers.
About the Author: Peter Lange
