Featured Image: Sophia Waryas. Photo by Phil Lodico Photography.
Whiteface Mountain, N.Y. | February 4–7, 2026
The 2026 Nor-Am Speed Series launched in emphatic fashion at Whiteface Mountain, NY where the women opened competition with back to back downhill races on a brand new speed track that immediately earned the respect of the field.
With 36 athletes on the start list, the first Nor-Am speed race of the season carried both anticipation and nerves. Whiteface, long known for its Olympic legacy, unveiled a reimagined speed venue that blended terrain, rhythm, and technical demand. By the end of the week, one sentiment echoed across the finish. Impressed.
Behind the scenes, the project represented months of planning and an enormous amount of work from the organizing committee and coaching staff. “The Nor-Ams were awesome,” said Seppi Stiegler, FIS Men’s Head Coach for the New York Ski Educational Foundation. “It was an absurd amount of work, but it was really cool when it all came together.”
The new track delivered a true full length FIS downhill experience, something rare in the East. “The track was really technical on the top half,” Seppi explained. “There were big high speed turns down Parkway into Thruway. There were three small jumps on the track that required proper inspection, and then the bottom section was gliding into a new finish at the base of Whiteface.” The combination of terrain and flow created a course that demanded both courage and precision. “The snow conditions and the high level of athletes really made for a good show.”
Beyond the racing itself, the week represented something bigger for East Coast speed skiing. The event opened another full length FIS downhill track in the region, joining Sugarloaf as one of the only venues in the East capable of hosting that level of speed competition. “It seemed like coaches and directors liked the idea of variety, additional high level events at Whiteface, and the possibility of adding another option for Speed Week in the East,” Seppi said. “Maybe it is some growth for a really small sport and an even smaller discipline.”
Just as impactful was the amount of time athletes were able to spend on downhill skis. “The first takeaway was the access our skiers had to time on downhill skis and in gates,” he added. “Our forerunners and racers had a whole season’s worth of downhill training. It was amazing to see the progression through the week. The athletes loved it and were already excited for Speed Week next season.”
For Whiteface and for Nor-Am speed racing, the new venue proved not only successful, but promising for the future.
Downhill Day 1: A Statement to Open the Season
The opening downhill set the tone for the series. Bib numbers ran deep, but the performances proved that in NorAm racing, opportunity can come from anywhere in the field. Three first-year athletes, all born in 2009, delivered standout performances against a seasoned and competitive field.
Mari Renick of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail captured her first NorAm victory in stunning fashion. “Winning my first NorAm was completely surreal, especially as a first year,” Renick shared. “I’m so grateful for my coaches and teammates—they made the moment even more meaningful.”
Renick handled the new Whiteface track with composure beyond her years. “Whiteface is such a fun hill and great venue for speed,” she said. “The track had everything—jumps, gliding sections, and a good pitch. The conditions held up really well, even running later in the field.”
It was a big week of speed in Lake Placid, where NYSEF, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard invested heavily in preparing a new speed track. The result was a challenging, well-built venue that adds another quality downhill and super-G option in the East.
“The track was really good and very well prepared,” said Kyle. “It has an intimidating steep start that sends you off a jump after the second turn. There are three jumps on the course, steep technical turns on the top pitch, and lots of gliding, high-speed turns in the middle. It’s a good mix of all the elements, which is great for our development in the East and in the U.S. to have another quality DH/SG venue.”
The track demanded commitment from the first push. Athletes navigated long gliding sections and terrain-driven features that forced smart line choices and tactical patience. Speed carried over blind rolls, transitions required balance and strength, and the final pitch rewarded those willing to stay direct and trust their skis.
Burke Mountain Academy athletes Katie Quinn and Katie Rowecamp secured third and fourth place, respectively, rounding out an extraordinary day for the 2009 class. For three first-year racers to step into their first NorAm speed event and lay down such fast, composed runs was nothing short of impressive — signaling the arrival of a talented new generation in North American speed skiing.
As the first Nor-Am downhill of the season, the race also highlighted the depth of the women’s field. A full start list of 36 competitors brought intensity from top to bottom, setting a high standard to kick off the speed calendar.
Kyle also noted the importance of international preparation for moments like this.
“Training and racing in Europe is preparing us well for competition both domestically and abroad,” he said. “The athletes get exposure to venues that tend to have more character than your average North American race piste. The level of focus and intensity rises when we go into new environments and compete against Europeans.”
That experience showed in Lake Placid — where preparation, composure, and commitment defined the week.
Feb. 4, 2026 — Whiteface Nor-Am Cup Downhill No. 1 Results
- 1st 🇺🇸 Mari Renick — Bib 34- YOB 2009- 1:13.97- Ski and Snowboard Club Vail
- 2nd 🇨🇦 Stefanie Fleckenstein — Bib 18- YOB 1997- (+0.38)- Independent
- 3rd 🇺🇸 Katie Quinn — Bib 35- YOB 2009- (+.80)- Burke Mountain Academy
- 4th 🇺🇸 Katie Rowekamp — Bib 36- YOB 2009-(+.83)- Burke Mountain Academy
- 5th 🇺🇸 Bobbi Jo Griffin— Bib 7- YOB 2005- (+1.23)- Western Regional Team
Downhill Day 2: Confidence Builds on a World-Class Track
Day 2’s downhill built on the momentum of the opener. With a run already under their belts, athletes attacked the course with greater familiarity and confidence. Conditions held strong, allowing the field to push the pace and refine their lines.
Canadian Stefanie Fleckenstein owned the day. In a performance that was as emotional as it was dominant, Fleckenstein claimed victory by an impressive .53 seconds. The result marked a powerful milestone—coming 781 days after an injury that many told her would prevent her from ever skiing again, let alone returning to competition.
“I was the most nervous I think I’ve ever been for a race in my whole life,” Fleckenstein admitted of her first training run back. “I genuinely didn’t know how it was going to go—I felt like I forgot what going fast felt like.” But after coming down that opening run within the top group, her mindset shifted. “I was like, OK, easy—I know I can do this. I know I can ski fast.”
By race day, the nerves had transformed into calm confidence. “I felt like I was meant to be there. I had no pressure on myself—this was my first race back in over two years, so I just wanted to enjoy it.” Once out of the start gate, instinct took over. “All of a sudden my race mentality came back. I felt way more aggressive, way more confident… it was such a cool experience to have that feeling come back.”
Her victory was more than a win—it was validation. “Getting back in the start gate and feeling like I could go for it was surreal,” she said. “It made me realize that all the hard work I’ve put in has paid off.”
Securing the win was not only a testament to her resilience and determination, but an inspiring reminder of what perseverance can achieve. As Fleckenstein proved at Whiteface, she is not only back—she is ready.
Whiteface’s new speed track once again showcased its quality, providing a fair yet challenging test that rewarded clean execution and tactical discipline. The back-to-back downhill format gave athletes the opportunity to adapt quickly—an essential skill in high-level speed racing—and reinforced Whiteface’s reputation as a premier NorAm venue. Fleckenstein’s commanding victory showed not only the field, but herself, that she is not just back—she is ready, and her confidence is clearly returning.
Feb. 5, 2026 — Whiteface Nor-Am Cup Downhill No. 2 Results
- 1st 🇨🇦 Stefanie Fleckenstein — Bib 20- YOB 1997- 1:12.80- Independent
- 2nd 🇺🇸 Beatrice May — Bib 12- YOB 2006- (+0.53)- Dartmouth Ski Team
- 3rd 🇨🇦 Zoe Gray — Bib 6- YOB 2004- (+.72)- Montana State University
- 4th 🇨🇦 Shae Obrien — Bib 10- YOB 2006-(+.77)-
- 5th 🇺🇸 Bobbi Jo Griffin— Bib 9- YOB 2005- (+1.14)- Western Regional Team
Super-G: Precision and Power on Display
Following the downhill races, the series shifted to Super-G, where two races were scheduled. While one Super-G was ultimately cancelled, the race that did run delivered another high-level test on the new speed track.
The Super-G course emphasized rhythm and precision, demanding technical accuracy at speed and the ability to adapt quickly.
For Katie Rowecamp, the performance was another milestone moment. “It felt pretty cool to win a Nor-Am, I was really excited,” she shared. “It was nice to be surrounded and congratulated by my teammates afterwards, knowing how much they helped me get there and pushed me to achieve something like that.”
Her experience racing internationally also proved valuable. “I think racing in Europe has definitely helped me get accustomed to adjusting to unexpected change—that being a big part of our sport,” Rowecamp explained, a skill that translated seamlessly to the evolving schedule and the demands of the Super-G set.
Athletes who carried momentum from the downhill days were able to apply that confidence to a tighter, more tactical course. The combination of terrain and course design continued to earn praise from competitors, many of whom walked away impressed with the quality and potential of Whiteface’s revamped speed venue.
Feb. 6, 2026 — Whiteface Nor-Am Cup Super-G Results
- 1st 🇺🇸 Katie Rowekamp — Bib 2- YOB 2009- 1:14.82- Burke Mountain Academy
- 2nd 🇨🇦 Shae Obrien — Bib 11- YOB 2006- (+0.19)
- 3rd 🇺🇸 Mari Renick — Bib 9- YOB 2009- (+.20)
- 4th 🇺🇸 Bobbi Jo Griffin — Bib 3- YOB 2005-(+.26)
- 5th 🇺🇸 Logan Grosdidier— Bib 6- YOB 2008- (+.27)- Stifel US Ski Team
Nor-Am Finals Ahead: Aspen Set for Speed Showdown
The Nor-Am speed circuit now turns its focus to Nor-Am Finals in Aspen, Colorado, kicking off March 19 with downhill. With momentum building, the women’s speed standings are tightening at just the right time. Stefanie Fleckenstein heads into Finals leading the downhill standings, carrying both confidence and experience into the season’s final showdown. In Super-G, Kate Rowecamp sits atop the standings, positioning herself as the one to beat in Aspen. With titles on the line and a competitive field continuing to raise the bar, NorAm Finals promise a fitting conclusion to an already electric speed season.
About the Author: Katie Twible
