Topolino: Christianson, Morse nab SL medals

Team USA had a stellar day in the opening event of the Trofeo Topolino 2007, nabbing gold and bronze in the J3 slalom.
TEAM USA had a stellar day in the opening event of the Trofeo Topolino 2007, nabbing gold and bronze in the J3 slalom.
    Kieffer Christianson of Alaska won the first run and held on in very warm afternoon conditions for the gold medal. His combined winning time was 1 minute, 20.24 seconds. Ben Morse of Carrabasset Valley Academy in Maine nailed the bronze, finishing sixth on the first run and winning the second. His combined time was 1:20.81.
    Italian racer Andrea Ravelli took the silver medal. The third USA J3 athlete, Dylan Rogers, skied out on the last part of the first run.
     Tracie Kroneberger of Team Winter Park was the top U.S. girls finisher, placing 13th in a race won by Swedish racer Emelie Wikstroem. Linsey Wright of Mount Snow, Vermont, was 24th and Rose Caston of Rowmark Academy did not finish.
    The Trofeo Topolino continues Saturday with the J3 giant slalom at Panarotta 2002. After that, the athletes will head home for their regional Junior Olympic competitions.