The 2025-2026 competition season is officially underway for SSWSC ski jumping and nordic combined athletes following the first home event of the year at Howelsen Hill, Winter Start, December 13. After a challenging lead-up, the annual Winter Start competitions came together seamlessly. Despite difficult weather and a number of logistical hurdles, our dedicated crew prepared the venue just in time for several productive training days and one outstanding day of competition.
Athletes from Steamboat Springs, Park City, Lake Placid, and Canada took to the HS100 on Saturday morning under calm, crisp conditions, ideal for ski jumping. In the US Cup Women’s class, hometown favorites McKenzie Maines and Charlotte Fleming earned second and third place, finishing behind Canada’s Rayna Leachman. Ethan Maines delivered a dominant performance in the boys’ class, securing the win by a commanding 10-point margin. Steamboat athletes also shined in the U16 class, with Nico Bowdre taking the victory and teammate Miles Warnke rounding out the podium in third.
The action continued Saturday evening with the Nordic Combined competition, featuring an improvised race course around the base of Howelsen Hill. Haley Brabec powered through the field to claim the win in the US Cup Women’s class. In the U16 and U20 men’s races, Ethan Maines and Miles Warnke both started with the lead and skied confidently to victories in their respective categories.
With uncertain weather looming throughout the week, the entire community was relieved—and excited—to successfully kick off the season. Winter has officially arrived!
