Six AVSC J3s Qualify for Junior Olympics in Winter Park
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| by Alan Cole |
February 19, 2009
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Six out of eight members of AVSC's J3 Alpine Ski Team qualified for the 2009 Junior Olympics this past weekend at Winter Park, Feb. 15-16. Sunday's slalom races and Monday's giant slalom races boasted large fields of competitors, as they were the last opportunity for the 13-14 year-old racers to qualify.
Julia Mueller-Ristine led the way for the AVSC J3 women by finishing fourth and third in Sunday's slalom races. "She only needed to finish to qualify but she opted to go for it," said AVSC J3 coach Pat Callahan. "She's been competing well in the speed events but this was the best slalom skiing I've seen from her all year." Ilona Schwarz attacked the course both runs for an eighth place finish in the morning and tenth in the afternoon. "Ilona's improving with every competition and really starting to cross-block effectively," said Callahan. Isabelle Woodrow finished 23rd in the morning and Keile Kropf was 30th and 25th for the day out of a field of 92 racers.
Devon Cardamone started the day playing it safe with a ninth place run. "Devon was in the group with Bobby Moyer, Ilona Schwarz and Isabelle Woodrow that had already qualified," said Callahan. Nevertheless, Cardamone wasn't satisfied with ninth and unleashed a blistering afternoon run for second place. "It was crazy fast with a series of linked recoveries," said Callahan. "He was really hauling." Brannen Haderle finished 27th and 25th on the day while Julian Lambert was 61st.
Where Julia Mueller-Ristine struggled in Monday morning's GS race, Ilona Schwarz posted yet another top-ten result in eighth place. "Ilona's on fire right now," said Callahan. Just outside the top-ten was Isabelle Woodrow in 11th place in the morning and 14th in the afternoon. "Isabelle just keeps upping the ante," said Callahan. "She's definitely skiing to her potential." Muller-Ristine returned to form in the afternoon with a run good for ninth place. Keile Kropf finished 39th out of 92 competitors in the morning.
Monday's breakthrough performance came from Brannen Haderle. After several results in the mid-twenties Haderle skied a strong morning race to finish 16th overall in GS. "To recover after sliding on his hip and manage a 16th place finish was impressive," said Callahan. Cardamone suffered a fall and dropped to 41st overall and Julian Lambert finished 75th out of 99 racers.
Cardamone bounced back in the afternoon gunning for the podium but finishing fifth overall. "He was going for the win but a small bobble cost him," said Callahan. Haderle's morning result opened the door to qualify for Junior Olympics and he walked right through with a 13th place result in the afternoon.
Callahan is bullish on his team's prospects at Junior Olympics. "This team is skiing consistently well and has a lot of confidence," he said, adding, "I like our chances in Vail."
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For details, contact
Alan Cole
AVSC
(970) 205-5104
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