Skiers go head-to-head at U.S. telemark nationals

The nation’s best telemark skiers went head-to-head last weekend for the championship title at Tamarack Resort in Idaho. During three days of competition, the Alpine-Nordic skiers put their skills to the test as they competed in the U.S. Telemark National Championships.   

THE NATION'S BEST telemark skiers went head-to-head last weekend for the championship title at Tamarack Resort in Idaho. During three days of competition, the Alpine-Nordic skiers put their skills to the test as they competed in the U.S. Telemark National
Championships.    
    The telemark race series is compiled of four separate events: the Classic, Sprint Classic, Telemark Giant Slalom, and Dual Pro Slalom. The signature event of the series is the Classic race which requires the competitor to race downhill through slalom gates, jump a specified distance after those gates, and then finish with an uphill Nordic sprint — all within one timed run. The most spectator-friendly competition was the Dual Pro Slalom. This race pairs two skiers together for a head-to-head battle until only the two fastest racers remain.
    Kelsey Schmid-Sommer from Whitefish, Mont., took the overall women’s national title while Shane Anderson (Cody, WY) stood atop the podium for the men. Following Anderson for the men were Drew Hauser (Keystone, CO) and Eric Lamb (Whitefish, MT). For the women, Loren Paley (Steamboat Springs, CO) took second and Erika Walters (Steamboat Springs, CO) finished third.

Women’s Overall Results:                  Men’s Overall Results:
Kesley Shcmid-Sommer: 78 pts.         Shane Anderson:         78 pts.
Loren Paley:          70 pts.                Drew Hauser:            70 pts.
Erika Walters:        57 pts.                Eric Lamb:              60 pts.
Suzzane Pattinson:    55 pts.              Peter McMahon:          53 pts.
Jeannine Poucel:      53 pts.               Joel Nylander:          52 pts.
 
For more information on the U.S. Telemark Team and race results visit www.ustsa.org .