J2 Nationals: Byers wins big after rerun

By Published On: March 7th, 2008Comments Off on J2 Nationals: Byers wins big after rerun

ASPEN, Colo., – In the women's J2 National Junior Olympics, Felicia Byers set a new standard. She won the race, which was not a surprise, she had also won in training. She won by a full second, and while more of a surprise, it still did not qualify as a new standard. It was the circumstance of her run and three quarters that raised the bar.
    Byers was flagged off the course when the skier in front of her crashed and took out a panel. By the time she cycled back up to the top the course was notably slower, considerably rougher and generally speaking, downright nasty. She still "kicked ass," as any number of people commented afterward.

ASPEN, Colo., – In the women's J2 National Junior Olympics, Felicia Byers set a new standard. She won the race, which was not a surprise, she had also won in training. She won by a full second, and while more of a surprise, it still did not qualify as a new standard. It was the circumstance of her run and three quarters that raised the bar.
    Byers was flagged off the course when the skier in front of her crashed and took out a panel. By the time she cycled back up to the top the course was notably slower, considerably rougher and generally speaking, downright nasty. She still "kicked ass," as any number of people commented afterward.
    "I was pretty much at the bottom of the course," Byers said. "The racer in front of me (bib nine), Emily James, fell at Strawpile. I had just nailed Spring Pitch and was really glad I had nailed it. Then when I got to Dago Road some guy comes out right onto the line and flagged me down."
    Getting flagged off a downhill course is not all that common an occurance and never an anticipated one.
    "Suddenly there was somebody right in front of me. I never stopped so fast in my life," she said. "I was basically shaking the whole way up the lift from the adrenalin."
    There was some time spent at the top getting back into the race skis, but it was apparent the course was slowing so wisdom dictated going as soon as possible. She started right after bib 33. "It was really difficult to get into the right mental state to do what I had to do," she says, and the course condition did not help that process.
    "It was slower, I was 13th on the top flat," she said, "And a lot bumpier, but I held it together. I was just giving it all I could. You can't control falls. You've got to go with what's best and take everything how it comes."
    It came to a climax with a huge win, a J2 Championship and a trip to Nationals.
    There was a tie for second between Lauren Samuels (who started 29th) and Delainey Ackerman, a second and a hundredth back. Jenna Kantor was fourth, Gabrielle Anthony fifth.


 

J2 Junior Olympics
Women's Downhill
Aspen, Colo.
March 7, 2008

1 Felicia BYERS USA/91      1:18.18
2 Lauren SAMUELS USA/92      1:19.19
2 Delainey ACKERMAN USA/91      1:19.19
4 Jenna KANTOR USA/91      1:19.20
5 Gabrielle ANTHONY USA/91      1:19.47
6 Sara ANDREWS USA/92      1:19.60
7 Anna MARNO USA/92      1:19.62
8 Zoe LIVINGSTON USA/91      1:19.75
9 Devin DELANEY USA/91      1:19.78
10 Jetta RACKLEFF USA/91      1:20.12
11 Mikaela BRUCE USA/92      1:20.40
12 Shane MCLEAN USA/92      1:20.63
13 Mary SACKBAUER USA/92      1:20.76
14 Vanessa BERTHER USA/92      1:20.90
15 Christie PATIENT USA/91      1:21.26
16 Aylin WOODWARD USA/92      1:21.30
17 Emily HAMMEL USA/91      1:21.62
17 Abby GHENT USA/92      1:21.62
19 Morgan BLACK USA/91      1:21.70
20 Linsey WRIGHT USA/92      1:21.80
21 Paige MINANA USA/92      1:21.90
22 Cate KISTLER USA/91      1:22.55
23 Joelle CHEVALIER USA/91      1:22.56
24 Cayla WEBER USA/91      1:22.72
25 Rylee BURROWS USA/92      1:22.78
26 Joanna COFFEY USA/92      1:22.83
27 Kelsey REDDEN USA/91      1:22.93
28 Cassady ROBERTS USA/91      1:22.98
29 Jacqueline MAIER USA/92      1:23.00
30 Amelia ROWLAND USA/91      1:23.09
31 Rebecca WOLF USA/92      1:23.12
32 Nicole LARSON USA/92      1:23.40
33 Lizzie KISTLER USA/92      1:23.97
34 Carly MCDOWELL USA/92      1:24.06
35 Samantha HALL USA/92      1:24.14
36 Michelle SEARES USA/91      1:24.17
37 Gabrielle HALL USA/91      1:24.22
38 Kelsey LOCKE USA/92      1:24.23
39 Rose CASTON USA/92      1:24.46
40 Bridget GILROY USA/91      1:24.60

41 Annie LEITER USA/91            1:25.17

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About the Author: Pete Rugh