US sends 12 alpine skiers to 2016 Junior World Champs in Sochi

PARK CITY, Utah – The road to Sochi looks slightly different but no less promising in 2016 as the 2014 Olympic Games venue plays host to the 2016 FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association has named a group of 12 elite athletes to compete at the 2016 Junior World Ski Championship scheduled for Feb. 24-Mar. 5 at Rosa Khutor in Sochi, Russia. Each athlete heralds from top USSA club programs across the country including Breezy Johnson, currently ranked second in the Europa Cup downhill standings and first in the NorAm downhill standings; Erik Arvidsson, who is currently ranked fourth in the chase for the NorAm overall title; and Drew Duffy, currently ranked fifth in NorAm super G and the surprise U.S. National Champion in super G in 2015.

The team will look to carry the momentum from last year’s Junior World Ski Championships and build upon solid podiums posted by Paula Moltzan, who won gold in slalom, and AJ Ginnis, who took bronze in the slalom. Last year, the team was ninth in the standings for the Marc Hodler Trophy for overall team performance.

“This is an experienced group of young athletes with some outstanding Continental Cup results to their names so far this year. As a nation, we will be aiming for podium performances and a strong showing overall in the Hodler Cup,” said USSA Alpine Development Director Chip Knight.

The 2016 Junior Worlds will include men’s and women’s downhill, super G, alpine combined, slalom, giant slalom and team event. Live timing will be provided by FIS.

2016 FIS ALPINE JUNIOR WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS U.S. TEAM

• Erik Arvidsson (Woodside, CA; U.S. Ski Team C Team, Squaw Valley Ski Team; 9/3/96)
• Drew Duffy (Warren, VT; U.S. Ski Team C Team, Green Mountain Valley School; 6/1/95)
• Patrick Kenney (Hingham, MA; U.S. Ski Team D Team, Burke Mountain Academy; 2/13/97)
• Alex Leever (Vail, CO; U.S. Ski Team National University Team, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 7/6/95)
• Sam Morse (Carrabassett Valley, ME; U.S. Ski Team D Team, Carrabassett Valley Academy; 5/27/96)
• Florian Szwebel (Avon, CO; National Training Group, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 9/4/96)
• Breezy Johnson (Victor, ID; U.S. Ski Team D Team, Rowmark Ski Academy; 1/19/96)
• Patricia Mangan (Derby, NY; U.S. Ski Team D Team, Holimont Racing Club; 3/7/97)
• Alice Merryweather (Hingham, MA; U.S. Ski Team D Team, Stratton Mountain School; 10/5/96)
• Nina O’Brien (Edwards, CO; U.S. Ski Team C Team, Burke Mountain Academy; 11/29/97)
• Nellie Rose Talbot (Vail, CO; National Training Group, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 8/24/99)
• Galena Wardle (Basalt, CO; U.S. Ski Team D Team, Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 4/24/98)

SCHEDULE
Feb. 27 – Men’s and women’s downhill
Feb. 28 – Men’s super G
Feb. 29 – Women’s super G
Mar. 1 – Men’s and women’s alpine combined
Mar. 2 – Team event
Mar. 3 – Men’s and women’s slalom
Mar. 4 – Women’s giant slalom
Mar. 5 – Men’s giant slalom

Release courtesy of USSA