News Release
U.S. Alpine Championships Hit the Slopes in Anchorage This Spring
Anchorage, Alaska – Dec. 19, 2006 – The nation’s top athletes are returning to Alaska’s world-class Alyeska Resort to shred the slopes this spring during the 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships. Spectators can look forward to extreme speeds as competitors charge thousands of vertical feet in the downhill, or dart between dozens of gates in the GS. Several exciting events will take place on the slopes March 27 – April 3, 2007, as Alyeska Resort hosts this prestigious event for the third time.
“Alyeska has both the mountain and the volunteers to pull off top quality competitions,” said Larry Daniels, Alyeska Resort’s mountain general manager. “We pull out all the stops to show both competitors and spectators how proud we are of our racing traditions. We have one of the most spectacular settings of any mountain in North America.”
Alyeska first hosted the U.S. Alpine Championship 26 years ago in 1981 and most recently in 2004. Notable accomplishments include Phil Mahre winning the U.S. giant slalom title, while his brother Steve won the slalom. In 1989, Alyeska hosted the Junior World Alpine Championships. At that time, the U.S. team walked away with eight medals, including gold in the Super G by Alaska racer Tommy Moe.
“Alyeska has produced dozens of top athletes, and a full spectrum race like the U.S. Alpine National Championships shows everyone why,” Daniels added.
In 2007, the impressive list of athletes slated to hit the slopes include gold medal winners Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) and Julia Mancuso (Olympic Valley, CA) as well as other members of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team. In addition, newly crowned FIS World champions will hopefully join the competition.
The U.S. Alpine Championships is an exciting, heart-pounding event featuring downhill races, the super G, slalom and the men’s and women’s giant slalom. The championships pair the best U.S. Ski Team athletes with hundreds of aspiring American skiers hoping to face off against top ranked racers. The event is expected to draw approximately 1,000 athletes, family members, officials and media. It’s also an event that’s expected to bring more than $2 million to the local economy.
“Nationally recognized events such as the U.S. Alpine Championships are a true economic engine for the city of Anchorage, impacting a broad range of businesses and carrying a lasting effect for future visitors,” said Bruce Bustamante, president and CEO of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau.
March conditions are ideal at Mt. Alyeska, with plenty of daylight, mild temperatures and an abundance of snow. There will be plenty of room on the mountain for competitors and spectators, as well as recreational skiers and snowboarders.
“Alyeska is currently hard at work providing the man-made snow base to pull off a world-class event,” said Daniels. “Snowmaking started at the beginning of November in addition to extensive summer brush cutting and race timing wire improvements in preparation for the event.”
For years, Mt. Alyeska has been the training ground for top athletes, including ski racer and Olympic gold medal winner Tommy Moe, as well as snowboarder and Olympic bronze medal winner Rosey Fletcher. From its base near sea level to the summit of 4,000 feet, Alyeska offers 1,000 acres of terrain, nine lifts and the most spring skiing daylight hours in the country. The resort’s extensive experience hosting large-scale national events ensures that the 2007 event will be one of the best U.S. Alpine Championships in history.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.skiAnchorage.net.
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Media Contacts:
Laura Tanis
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
ltanis@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax
Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
nlarsen@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118 direct
