News Release
Most of 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships Athletes Arrive Today
Girdwood, Alaska – March 26, 2007 – The 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships are just days away, and many athletes are already in Girdwood or are arriving throughout the day today. The impressive list of athletes slated to hit the slopes this week 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.
Thirty percent of the nation’s top ski athletes are currently in Girdwood, including Greg Bartels, Marcus Caston, Melissa Gill, Colby Granstrom, Marti Harris, Errol Kerr, Alice McKennis, Andy Phillips, Zach Schwartz, Seppi Stiegler, Jenni VanWagner, Bryce Wehan and Kate Williams.
One of these notable skiers, 15-year old Colby Granstrom, went home with a bronze medal in the boys giant slalom this year at the Chevrolet J2 Junior Olympics. The Lake Stevens, Washington resident took the gold last year during the Sierra Wireless Whistler men’s K2 slalom race in Whistler, Canada. Two years ago, Granstrom was one of three American boys in his age group representing the U.S. at an international ski event at the FIS International Children’s Competition in Pinzolo, Italy. Another skier to watch is 19-year old Errol Kerr of Truckee, California. Kerr has been ranked first nationally in his age group category in downhill and speed events.
Forty percent of the athletes competing in the 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships arrive later this afternoon, including Thomas Biesemeyer, Nolan Kasper, Trevor Leafe, Luke McLaughry and Brian Morgan. The remaining athletes will arrive in Girdwood tomorrow.
Downhill training for men kicks off tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on the Bowl Trail. The downhill training for women begins two hours later in the same location. The male and female athletes will follow the same schedule on Wednesday, March 28, 2007. The men’s Downhill FIS Race starts at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007 at the Bowl Trail, followed by the women’s Downhill FIS race at 12:30 p.m. After the races, the men’s and women’s awards will be held on the Sitzmark Deck. The Championships begin on Friday, March 30, 2007.
The exciting event features 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 to ranked racers, including 2007 World Championships silver medalist Julia Mancuso as well as World Cup winners Bode Miller, Steven Nyman and Ted Ligety. The event is expected to draw more than 1,000 athletes, family members, official and the media. It’s also expected to generate more than $2million to the local economy. For a complete race schedule, explore www.SkiAnchorage.net .
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 and www.Anchorage.net.
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Media Contacts:
Jason Lott
Chief of Press for 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships at Alyeska Resort
Direct: (907) 754-2211
Cell: (907) 223-1823 cell
email: jlott@alyeskaresort.com
Jeanette Anderson Moores
Media Room Director for 2007 U.S. Alpine Championships at Alyeska Resort
Direct: (907) 754-2153
Cell: (907) 229-6925
email: mooreswj@gci.net
Juliann Fritz
Public Relations Director for U.S.S.A
Main: (435) 647-2061
Cell: (435) 640-8379
email:jfritz@ussa.org
