The U16 Alpine Team Steam competed February 11-13 in the U16 SYNC Cup Qualifiers, showcasing their skill and determination across multiple events. The competition kicked off in Vail with two slalom races before moving to Steamboat for two scheduled GS races—one had to be canceled due to the tremendous snowfall.

The team put up an impressive performance, with standout results, including Molly Fretwell’s 2nd place finish in the first slalom event and Isabella Konecsny’s 3rd place podium in the GS. Naia Broggi also delivered a strong performance, securing 14th place. On the men’s side, Schuyler Biglow earned two top-10 finishes, Wilson Walker placed a solid 8th in GS, and Pthalo Plomteux achieved his best result of the season, finishing 15th in GS.

Over three days of competition and three races, the team amassed two podium finishes and an impressive fifteen top-15 results. At the conclusion of the series, qualifiers for the U16 Rocky Central Junior Championships were announced, and Team Steam delivered, with 9 of their 14 athletes earning a spot—Schuyler Biglow, Leo Orton, Soren Shepherd, Jonathan Nichols, Wilson Walker, Pthalo Plomtheux, Molly Fretwell, Isabella Konecsny, and Naia Broggi.

The athletes will head to Vail, CO, from March 6–10 to compete against top racers from the Rocky and Central regions, aiming for qualification to the U16 National Championships in Sugarloaf, Maine, at the end of March.

For those who narrowly missed qualification, the journey isn’t over. They will have the chance to push their limits at the U14/U16 R/C Showdown in Steamboat Springs from March 3–5, a competition that promises excitement, challenge, and valuable experience for the first-year U16 athletes.

Best of luck to all our racers in the coming weeks!

U16 Alpine Qualifier Results:
February 11, 2025 Women SL in Vail:
Race 1: 2nd Molly Fretwell, 5th Isabella Konecsny, 26th Naia Broggi, 32nd Rylee Thomsen
Race 2: 4th Molly Fretwell, 31st Naia Broggi,  35th Rylee Thomsen

February 12, 2025 Men SL in Vail:
Race 1: 8th Schuyler Biglow, 11th Soren Shepherd, 14th Jonathan Nichols, 16th Leo Orton, 18th Wilson Walker, 20th Pthalo Plomteux, 28th Keagan Austin
Race 2: 10th Soren Shepherd, 12th Leo Orton, 14th Wilson Walker, 17th Pthalo Plomteux, 22nd Keagan Austin, 24th Henry Davis, 27th Felix Hadley,

February 13, 2025 Men and Women GS in Steamboat Springs:
Women: 3rd Isabella Konecsny, 5th Molly Fretwell, 14th Naia Broggi
Men: 6th Schuyler Biglow, 8th Wilson Walker, 9th Leo Orton, 15th Pthalo Plomteux, 16th Jonathan Nichols, 20th Felix Hadley, 23rd Henry Davis, 32nd Dillon Middledorf

PHOTOS - Ann West
1. The 2024-2025 SSWSC U16 Alpine Team
2. Women’s GS podium in Steamboat Springs: 1st Anya Leunig (SUM), 2nd Eden Demino (SUM), and 3rd Isabella Konecsny (SSWSC)
3. Women’s SL podium in Vail, CO, 2/11/25: 1st Mari Renick (SSCV), 2nd Molly Fretwell (SSWSC), 3rd Xania Gayer (SSCV)
4. The SSWSC U16 women’s team at the start of the women’s GS course (from left): Isabella Konecsny, Molly Fretwell, Rylee Thomsen, and Naia Broggi

U16 R/C Champs Qualified Athletes
Schuyler Biglow
Leo Orton
Soren Shepherd
Jonathan Nichols
Wilson Walker
Pthalo Plomtheux
Molly Fretwell
Isabella Konecsny
Naia Broggi