PARK CITY, Utah (June 23) – Athletes of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing came together on Sunday to compete in the second annual Sundance Sufferfest and crown alpine skier Will Brandenburg as champion. The nine-mile climb begins at the base of Sundance Resort and finishes at the summit (8,060 ft.). After being seeded according to their cycling speeds, athletes began the race with handicaps of up to 35 minutes. Brandenburg earned the title of Sufferfest champion, coming across the finish line only moments before freestyle moguls skier Heather McPhie. Cross country skier Noah Hoffman recorded the day’s faster time to finish in third.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sundance Sufferfest is an annual bike race organized by the USSA for the athletes of the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing. The trophy is presented at Sundance Resort's brunch immediately following the race.
- Athletes are seeded according to cycling ability, with a maximum handicap of 35 minutes.
- Alpine skier Will Brandenburg took the title of Sundance Sufferfest champion for 2013.
- Freestyle moguls skier Heather McPhie came in second and cross country skier Noah Hoffman took third as well as clocking the overall fastest time.
QUOTES
Alex Moore, USSA Strength and Conditioning Coordinator
This is the one event we do every year where all the athletes, coaches and staff from different disciplines have a chance to go head-to-head with all having the same chance of winning. It is impressive seeing the nordic athletes round everyone up but also satisfying that they didn't win for another year. Will Brandenburg did a great job improving by nine minutes from his time last year to take the win, but he was closely followed by a 40 people hot on his heels. This is a great USSA event and one that helps build camaraderie amongst the teams and staff.
Will Brandenburg, Alpine
I'm really happy that Alex Moore and the rest of the sport science staff put this event on. It's fun riding this pretty big climb with all the other athletes from the different sports within USSA. The handicap start makes things super interesting at the finish and let's us wannabe bikers see the greatness of our Nordic teams firsthand.
