World juniors a bellwether for U.S. progress

With racing at the World Juniors already under way, the U.S. team has the athletes and proven results this season to make some noise in Austria.
    The event should serve as a test to see how the U.S. is stacking up on the international stage, according to U.S. Ski Team Alpine Director Jesse Hunt. 

WITH RACING AT the World Juniors already under way, the U.S. team has the athletes and proven results this season to make some noise in Austria.
    The event should serve as a test to see how the U.S. is stacking up on the international stage, according to U.S. Ski Team Alpine Director Jesse Hunt.
    “World Juniors is one of our markers,” Hunt said. “We are getting junior success at the NorAms, which is a good indication that we will have success at World Juniors. I’m confident in the steps we have taken to provide more support for the junior level.”
    The men raced downhill on Tuesday and U.S. racers Will Brandenburg (fifth) and Travis Ganong (eighth) finished in the top 10. The women race downhill on Wednesday.
    U.S. racers have dominated on the NorAm circuit this season. On the men’s side, Erik Fisher won the overall title along with the downhill and super g crowns, Andrew Weibrecht placed second in the overall, Tim Jitloff took the GS title and Cody Marshall took the slalom title.
    “It was awesome,” Fisher said of his overall title. “I needed to get a secured spot next year so that I could go on the World Cup tour without worrying about getting a spot. It makes everything easier for next year. It was a big part of my goals this year to get these titles so it meant a lot.”
    “As a group they have speed right now,” said Andrew Cesati, U.S. D team coach. “They are all great competitors. They are working with the World Cup group and pushing each other. It’s an exciting time right now, and I think they have a real chance at World Juniors.”
    On the women’s side, Leanne Smith snagged the overall and super g titles, while teammate Megan McJames was second in the overall and won the GS title. Chelsea Marshall finished third overall and was a force in the speed events.
    “Leanne Smith has really broken through on the speed side at the NorAms,” Hunt said. “She’s definitely made a step this year. She’ll be a contender for World Juniors. Overall, we are on track and I attribute it a lot to support at the team level. I have high hopes for World Juniors.”
    McJames, Hunt said, is also in a position to do well at World Juniors. “She’s going in full guns,” he said.
    While sights are set high, it will only be a matter of time before the results are in and the U.S. will see how the future of junior ski racing is stacking up.
    “Our results at World Juniors, an international competition, is a test to see how we are doing,” Hunt said. “If we see results slipping we are going to pay attention to that particular program. We put a lot of energy into staying competitive at an international level. We will implement the programs appropriately after we see the results.”