After pushing out bib three on Saturday’s junior world championship super-G in Panorama, British Columbia, Isaiah Nelson held the fastest time for 82 more races to walk away with his inaugural junior world medal — a gold. 

Nelson had a successful downhill race on Friday, grabbing seventh place despite skiing on the safer side in rough conditions. After not taking enough risk with his line, Nelson was hopeful to build on his momentum in the days ahead. Nelson’s best junior world finish thus far was in the downhill, after leading the U.S. men in the super-G last year in ninth. Now, Nelson is a junior world champion. 

“Today was amazing, insane really,” said Nelson. “I still don’t quite believe it.”

When Nelson crossed the finish line he was first upset, knowing he had left some time on the top section of the course. After his mistake, he pushed to the limit the remainder of his run and held onto the gold.

“I was really pushing hard and on the limit the rest of the way,” said Nelson. “And it was enough to hold first place! I was super nervous in the finish because the next three guys to come down were the best ranked, and seeing each one come down behind me was a feeling I cannot describe.” 

Behind Nelson was 20-year-old Franjo Von Allmen of Switzerland who grabbed his second silver of the series, 0.13 seconds behind Nelson. This marks two second-place finishes for the first time Junior World participant after his second-place finish in the downhill. 

After his second-place finish in downhill, 20-year-old Franjo Von Allmen of Switzerland grabbed the silver once again, 0.13 seconds behind Nelson. The result marked two second-place finishes for the first-time junior world participant. 

The defending junior world super-G champion Giovanni Franzoni of Italy finished in third. Franzonia won the downhill on Friday and was 0.41 seconds out. 

Gerrit Von Soest of Alpine Canada had his best junior world finish in sixth. Nelson’s U.S. teammate Copper Puckett snagged his first top-10 in ninth after a miraculous recovery when soaring off a jump on his tails. 

The men will compete in alpine combined on Sunday. Saturday’s super-G run will count towards the super-G portion of the alpine combined.

“We are all super fired up for the combine and I must say that we are definitely a little lucky this super-G counts for both the super-G and alpine combined,” said Nelson. “I think a lot of us are in a really good position for the slalom.”

RESULTS

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