Girdwood, Alaska – March 19, 2004

Success on the slopes drives Friedman

Bryon Friedman is waiting for his stretch limo.

That’s not a stretch of the imagination after Friday, when Friedman won the first national title of his career by capturing the men’s downhill at the Chevrolet U.S. National Alpine Championships.

Friedman, 23, bounded onto the awards platform to collect a $3,000 certificate and birch bowl made in Fairbanks. He was an upset winner over teammate Daron Rahlves the No. 2-ranked downhiller in the world who finished third Friday behind Jeremy Transue. Friedman timed 1 minute, 38.96 seconds over the 10,000 foot course that featured one long jump and a shorter jump over a run known as “waterfall” that immediately went into a hard left-hand turn. Friedman said the course wasn’t particularly difficult, “but you get a lot of air and that’s exciting.”

Friedman, who made a point of putting his helmet atop his skis on the podium because of his “awesome sponsor,” joked after the awards ceremony that his first national title didn’t come with a stretch limo to match his stunning victory. Instead Friedman rode the Alyeska Resort shuttle along with Alaska novice skiers and some of his newfound fans.

An hour after the day’s races are over Friedman and Rhalves headed back to their hotel rooms to get ready for the Athlete Parade in tonight’s opening ceremonies. Friedman and Rhalves were in disbelief when they found out the ceremonies were expected to bring in up to 3,000 spectators.

Friedman’s been to Alaska once before when he was 16 competing in the giant slalom and slalom. He is looking forward to returning to Alaska to do some heli-skiing, something Rhalves is going to do Saturday while Friedman is competing in the slalom.

As soon as the championships conclude, Friedman heads back to resume his studies at the Ivy League’s Dartmouth University.
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Story By Amanda Apodaca
UAA student, PRSSA member and Chevrolet 2004 U.S. Alpine Championships Media Room Volunteer.

Photo Credit
Pamela Eldridge
UAA Student, PRSSA member and Chevrolet 2004 U.S. Alpine Championships Media Room Volunteer