U.S. riders Klug, Gorgone win Continental Cup parallel GS events

U.S. riders Klug, Gorgone win Continental Cup parallel GS events{mosimage}A 6:30 a.m. start to the first Continental Cup of the season may have slowed some, but not Olympic bronze medalist Chris Klug or U.S. team youngster Michelle Gorgone, who outlasted international fields of 90 riders to take the Copper Mountain, Colorado, parallel slalom on Thursday.

Finishing second for the men was Olympic silver medalist Richard Rikardsson of Sweden, with Landgraaf parallel slalom winner Adam Smith of the U.S. in third. Aprilia Hagglof of Sweden and U.S. veteran Lisa Kosglow went 2-3 for the women.

The early morning start was designed to free up the trail as quickly as possible for Copper’s customers.

“It wasn’t the first time I’ve ridden up the lift in the dark and I’m sure it won’t be the last,” said Klug. “It was a full starry morning, which gave way to sunshine and epic snow conditions. The wind could have toned it down a bit, but I’m just happy to put a win up there after a slow start to the season.” Klug is still recovering from a tumble over the start gates in Soelden, Austria, last month, in which he suffered a cut to his chin that took 20 stitches to close.

For Gorgone, 21, it was the biggest win of her career, one she’s particularly proud of because of the tough international field that included the Swedes, who had been training with the U.S. team all week, and nearly the entire Canadian national team.

Head coach Nick Smith agreed. “Michelle rode great,” he said. “She had enough in her tank to beat some of the best in the world, and I’m glad she realized that today. She knows now that she can do it, she showed it to herself today and that’s more of a confidence builder than anything I can tell her.”

The Continental Cup continues Friday with another 6:30 a.m. start to a parallel slalom. The U.S. team will then have a week off before the World Cup starts up again in Tandadalen, Sweden.