U.S. names World Junior Team

PARK CITY, Utah (Feb. 8) – Fourteen athletes were named Friday to compete Feb. 23-March 1 in the 2008 FIS Alpine Junior World Championships in Spain, the U.S. Ski Team announced. Junior Worlds gives developing skiers a chance to measure themselves against their age group internationally and is a vital tool in gauging how they compare.
    U.S. Alpine Director Jesse Hunt said the group includes seven young men and seven young women, including defending NorAm slalom champion Kiley Staples (Park City, UT).
    "We're sending a strong team to Junior Worlds and we have expectations of medals. Travis Ganong has shown his capabilities, as has Kiley Staples, who won the NorAm slalom title last season. We know they can perform," said. "This group also has some promising younger juniors getting some experience against their international peers, which is so important as they look to advance to the World Cup and beyond."
 

Park City, Utah – fourteen athletes were named Friday to compete Feb. 23-March 1 in the 2008 FIS Alpine Junior World Championships in Spain, the U.S. Ski Team announced. Junior Worlds gives developing skiers a chance to measure themselves against their age group internationally and is a vital tool in gauging how they compare.
U.S. Alpine Director Jesse Hunbt said the group includes seven young men and seven young women, including Nor Am slalom champion Kiley Staples.
"We're sending a strong team to Junior Worlds and we have expectations of medals. Travis Ganong has shown his capabilities, as has Kiley Staples, who won the Nor Am slalom title last season. We know they can perform," Hunt said. "This group also has some promising younger juniors getting some experience against their international peers which is so important as they look to advance to the World Cup and beyond."
    U.S. Competition Director Walt Evans will serve as team leader. U.S. alpine coaches john Hale and Randy Pelkey will serve as women's and men's team captains.

The U.S. team (date of birth, Hometown, club) for the Junior World Championships which will be racing in Formigal, Spain.
Men
Tommy Ford, 3/20/89; Bend, OR (U.S. Development Team/Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation)
Travis Ganong, 7/14/88; Olympic Valley, CA (U.S. C Team/Squaw Valley Ski Team)
Max Hammer, 1/29/88; Jackson Hole, WY (U.S. Development Team/Jackson Hole Ski Team)
Bump Heldman, 10/25/88; Auburn, ME (U.S. Development Team/Gould Academy Snow Sports Club)
Nolan Kasper, 3/27/89; Warren, VT (U.S. Development Team/Burke Mountain Academy)
Wiley Maple, 5/25/90; Aspen, CO (Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club)
Andrew Phillips, 5/18/89; Sandy, UT (U.S. Development Team/Rowmark Ski Academy)
Women
Lindsay Cone, 7/1/88; Killington, VT (U.S. Development Team/Burke Mountain Academy)
Kirsten Cooper, 11/12/88; Eagle, CO (U.S. Development Team/Team Summit/Santa Fe Ski Team)
Julia Ford, 3/30/90; Plymouth, NH (Holderness Ski Team)
Katie Hartman, 9/2/88; Breckenridge, CO (Team Summit)
Alice McKennis, 8/19/89; Glenwood Springs, CO (Rowmark Ski Academy)
Laurenne Ross, 8/17/88; Klamath Falls, OR (U.S. Development Team/Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation)
Kiley Staples, 2/2/89; Park City, UT (U.S. C Team/Rowmark Ski Academy)