Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic GS: Collegiate and U.S. Ski Team Stars Shine

Day Two Women’s GS podium overall Moritz, Rask and Zaytseva Photo SSWSC

Stellar Performances at Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic GS Races

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — The Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic brought thrilling giant slalom racing to Steamboat Ski Resort on December 18 and 19. With two action-packed days, the competition showcased top-notch performances by collegiate athletes, U.S. Ski Team members, and promising juniors.

Day One: Louison Accambray and Johs Braathen Herland Dominate

On the first day, University of Colorado’s Louison Accambray clinched the women’s overall win. Accambray displayed incredible precision and speed on a fast, well-prepared course. Sara Rask from the University of Denver secured second place, while Tatum Grosdidier, an alumna of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (SSWSC), claimed third. Grosdidier also led the Junior division, showcasing her dual affiliation with the U.S. Ski Team and the University of Utah.

In the U18 category, Viktoria Zaytseva from APEX emerged victorious, followed by Solveig Moritz of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and SSWSC’s Abby Olson in third.

For the men, University of Utah’s Johs Braathen Herland triumphed, with University of Colorado’s Jacob Dilling close behind in second. Raphael Lessard, also from Utah, took third overall. Pietro Giovanni Motterlini of the University of Denver captured the Junior men’s title, while SSWSC’s Jeremy Nolting and Stewart Bruce of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail rounded out the podium.

The U18 men’s division was swept by SSWSC skiers. Adrian Beauregard claimed first, his brother Caman took second, and Owen Wither completed the podium.

Day Two: Kjersti Moritz and Raphael Lessard Take the Spotlight

The second day of racing crowned two new champions. Kjersti Moritz skiing for Middlebury College and the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, dominated the women’s race, capturing both the overall and Junior titles. Rask earned another second-place finish, while Zaytseva climbed onto the podium in third. Zaytseva also repeated her U18 victory, ahead of Logan Grosdidier of SSWSC and Solveig Moritz.

For the men, Lessard claimed his first win of the competition, marking a strong comeback from his third-place finish the previous day. Herland secured second, while Justin Bigatel rounded out the podium in third. Nolting continued his impressive streak by winning the Junior men’s title, with Bruce and SSWSC alumnus Charlie Welch taking second and third, respectively.

Honoring Murphy Roberts with Scholarships and Prize Money

The Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic is more than just a premier ski racing event—it’s a celebration of passion, sportsmanship, and community. Central to this tradition is the Murphy Roberts Scholarship Award, which honors the memory of Murphy Roberts, an SSWSC athlete who tragically passed away in 2016 at the age of 22.

Each year, the Roberts family offers a $1,000 scholarship to an athlete who demonstrates the qualities Murphy exemplified: an unyielding passion for alpine ski racing, infectious enthusiasm, and a commitment to uplifting their team. This award is presented during the ceremony following Friday’s night slalom races at Howelsen Hill.

In addition to the scholarship, the Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic provides a platform for athletes to earn prize money through their performances. With top-tier competitors from collegiate programs, the U.S. Ski Team, and regional clubs, the stakes are high, and the rewards reflect the event’s status as a standout race on the calendar.

The scholarship and prize money not only recognize athletic excellence but also support the development of young ski racers, reinforcing the event’s mission to inspire and nurture the next generation of alpine athletes.

As spectators gather for the iconic night slalom under the lights, they’ll witness not just the thrilling conclusion of the competition but also the spirit of generosity and community that defines this beloved event.

For live results and race updates, visit www.sswsc.org.

Prize Money Breakdown for the 2024 Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic

The 2024 Murphy Roberts Holiday Classic offers an impressive $40,000 prize pool, rewarding top performances across all races. Here’s how the prize money is distributed:

GS1, GS2, and SL2 Races

Each of these races features a total purse of $4,500:

1st Place Overall: $2,000
2nd Place Overall: $1,000
3rd Place Overall: $500
1st Place Junior (U21 & Younger): $400
2nd Place Junior: $250
3rd Place Junior: $150
1st Place U18: $200

Day One Podium Results

Overall Women

1st Place: Louison Accambray – University of Colorado
2nd Place: Sara Rask – University of Denver
3rd Place: Tatum Grosdidier – U.S. Ski Team / University of Utah (SSWSC Alumnae)

Junior Women (U21 and younger)

1st Place: Tatum Grosdidier – U.S. Ski Team / University of Utah (SSWSC Alumnae)
2nd Place: Kjersti Moritz – U.S. Ski Team and Middlebury College
3rd Place: Viktoria Zaytseva – APEX

U18 Women

1st Place: Viktoria Zaytseva – APEX
2nd Place: Solveig Moritz – Ski and Snowboard Club Vail
3rd Place: Abby Olson – Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

Overall Men

1st Place: Johs Braathen Herland – University of Utah
2nd Place: Jacob Dilling – University of Colorado
3rd Place: Raphael Lessard – University of Utah

Junior Men (U21 and younger)

1st Place: Pietro Giovanni Motterlini – University of Denver
2nd Place: Jeremy Nolting – Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
3rd Place: Stewart Bruce – Ski and Snowboard Club Vail

U18 Men

1st Place: Adrian Beauregard – Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
2nd Place: Caman Beauregard – Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
3rd Place: Owen Wither – Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

Day Two Podium Results