SSWSC hosted the Rocky/Central U16 Championships last week from March 4-8, highlighting SSWSC’s commitment to athletic excellence, teamwork, and community involvement. Months of planning by staff, along with significant contributions from parent volunteers, race crew, and community members, to welcome over 105 athletes and their families to Steamboat and ensure the successful execution of the event.
The collaborative effort allowed U16 coaches to focus on supporting their athletes, who faced a variety of weather conditions that made for a challenging, exciting and memorable week of competition.
The series began with a Downhill race in favorable conditions on Thursday, March 5. Soren Shepherd finished second in the men’s race, with Felix Hadley, Ryder Roth and Jonathan Nichols also placing in the top 15. For the women, Miya Lippuner finished seventh and Caroline Kristoff-Brown placed 14th.
In the Super-G, held during a snowstorm on Friday, March 6, athletes worked together to clear the venue and maintain racing conditions. Ella Orton led the women with a fifth-place finish, followed by Caroline Kristoff-Brown in 18th and Chloe Kafka in 27th. Ryder Roth took fourth for the men, and Owen Applequist, Felix Hadley, Soren Shepherd and Jonathan Nichols all finished in the top 15.
The championships ended with two days of technical racing in Giant Slalom and Slalom. Caroline Kristoff-Brown earned silver medals in both events. Rylee Thomsen won the second run of the Giant Slalom and finished fourth overall, while Miya Lippuner won the second run of the Slalom and finished seventh. Chloe Kafka, Rylee Thomsen and Brielle Walsh also placed in the top 15 in Slalom.
In men’s Giant Slalom, Owen Applequist, Felix Hadley, Jonathan Nichols and Reed Pope all placed in the top 15. In Slalom, Reed Pope finished sixth, Jonathan Nichols finished 12th and Felix Hadley finished 16th.
At the end of the series, the top 15 men and top 15 women were selected, based on their two best results in Super-G, Giant Slalom or Slalom, to compete at the U16 National Championships in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, from March 28 to April 1.
Eight Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athletes were named to the Rocky/Central National Team: Rylee Thomsen, Caroline Kristoff-Brown, Ella Orton, Owen Applequist, Reed Pope, Jonathan Nichols, Ryder Roth and Felix Hadley.
Photos:
SSWSC U16 Nationals Qualifiers: Rylee Thomsen, Caroline Kristoff-Brown, Ella Orton, Owen Applequist, Reed Pope, Jonathan Nichols, Ryder Roth and Felix Hadley.
- SSWSC U16 RC Giant Slalom Caroline Kristof-Brown (2nd) Rylee Thomsen (4th)
- SSWSC RC U16 Men’s Podium Downhill Soren Shepherd (2nd), Felix Hadley (6th)
- SSWSC RC U16 Giant Slalom Owen Applequist (7th), Felix Hadley (8th), and Jonathan Nichols (9th)
- SSWSC RC U16 Women’s Podium Ella Orton (5th)
