SUGARLOAF, ME (March 26, 2015) - Another day, another young, rising star at the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Champs. In Thursday’s giant slalom, USSA National Training Group (NTG) skier Nina O’Brien (Edwards, CO – NTG; Burke Mountain Academy) threw down the fastest time of the day to take the win. World Cup skiers Paula Moltzan (Lakeville, MN – U.S. Ski Team) and Megan McJames (Park City, UT – Park City Ski Ed Foundation) were second and third, respectively.
To the delight of the fans, Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) kicked off the day by forerunning the GS. She utilized the day to influence the kids that came to watch her. “My life has changed over the past few years. You grow as a person as you grow in your skiing,” said Vonn. “I’m really just here for the kids—for all the junior racers. It’s not about the competition, but more about the next generation.”
Well, the next generation showed their cards today, as 17-year-old O’Brien stunned the crowd with the fastest time on the first run. Even though she was nervous second run, she put down a fast time and was thrilled with his result. “I was so nervous! I haven’t been in that position in a big race like this,” said O’Brien after the GS. “I didn’t expect this at all,” she said, even though she acknowledged strong points results this season. “I’m super excited.”
Paula Moltzan and Nina O'Brien hug in the finish after O'Brien takes the win.
O’Brien has been a part of the National Training Group this season—a group set up to support the development of top regional athletes and brings those skiers together to train and compete as a team. She attends Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont, having grown up racing for the Squaw Valley Ski Team with famed Tamara McKinney as a coach.
USSA CEO Tiger Shaw was present at the race and was thrilled for O’Brien. “I think today is a great example of an up-and-comer rising quickly. Nina has had a great season. For her to win the nationals just caps it off perfectly,” said Shaw. “It is a testament to women’s team development and our staff, our team, her parents, Burke, Squaw and everybody that made it all happen.”
Behind the podium, speed skiers Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR – U.S. Ski Team) and Stacey Cook (Mammoth Mountain, CA – U.S. Ski Team) were fourth and fifth, respectively. Abby Ghent (Eagle, CO – U.S. Ski Team) was sixth. O’Brien’s NTG teammates Patricia Mangan (Derby, NY – NTG; Holimont Race Team) and Rachael DesRochers (Edwards, CO – NTG; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) were seventh and eighth. Former NTG athlete and current D Team member Stephanie Lebby (Big Bear Lake, CA – U.S. Ski Team) finished ninth. Libby Gibson (Jamaica, VT – Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) was 10th.
O’Brien and Wednesday's unexpected winner of super G Drew Duffy, pose for a picture in the finish area.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The National Training Group (past and present) took four places in the top ten—first, seventh, eighth and ninth.
- Nina O’Brien was 16th in the U.S. Alpine Championships super G and 13th in the downhill. She also won the National Junior Championships slalom and was third in the GS.
- The men race GS on Friday. First run begins at 9:30 a.m., with second run at 12:30 p.m. ET.
QUOTES
Nina O’Brien
I was so nervous! I haven’t been in that position in a big race like this. I just tried to stay relaxed and have fun. I had a lot of fun on the first run. It’s a beautiful day out here. I know there are so many fast girls, so I was going to have to ski fast if I wanted to stay in first.
I was just trying to hang on to the finish. It was a little wild down at the bottom. I didn’t expect this at all. I’m super excited.
Lindsey Vonn
My life has changed over the past few years. You kind of grow as a person as you grow in your skiing, at least that’s how I feel. It’s nice to be back here at Sugarloaf. I’m really just here for the kids—for all the junior racers. It’s not about the competition, but more about the next generation.
If anyone has watched my documentary The Climb, they have a good understanding that I had to sacrifice a lot and work hard to get back to where I am now. In general, hard work pays off. Throughout my whole career it has always been the same. You just have to fight every day as hard as you can and in the end, you have to be happy and satisfied with that. You can only do your best.
Second place-finisher Paula Moltzan and third place Megan McJames flank Nina O'Brien in the finish.
Paula Moltzan
The snow is pretty mushy. It was good. I’m happy for my teammate Nina. It’s awesome. I was kind of hoping for the win, but it’s OK. I was just hoping the best for [Nina]. She’s such a cute little girl. Well she’s not so little anymore! She’s fast. Pretty excited for her.
It’s just a ski race. I haven‘t trained much GS this year. It’s not really my best event, so I’m pretty excited with second place.
Tiger Shaw
I think today is a great example of an up and comer rising quickly. Nina has had a great season. For her to win the nationals just caps it off perfectly. That she can be a national champion at that age is wonderful. It is a testament to women’s team development and our staff, our team, her parents and Burke and everybody that made it all happen. It’s really, really fun to see.
RESULTS
Women's GS results
