Junior Alpine racers continue to shine with seven podiums

The Lutsen junior Alpine team has a great time at practice! (L-R) Riley Goettl, Ella Sporn, Cayden Zimmer, Kalina Dimitrova, Genevieve Silence, Sol Nies. (Back) Coaches Mike Swindlehurst and Wade Ingram.

Race No. 4 of the Northland Junior Race Series was held at Spirit Mountain on January 22. The Lutsen Junior Alpine Club was on hand for the two-run event, which consisted of one fast-paced run of Giant Slalom and one run of Slalom. Thirty Lutsen racers competed in a field of 133 amongst tough competition from Team Duluth on their home hill. At day’s end decent results were achieved from our team with seven podiums and a handful of top fives in the skiers respective age groups.

Eight-year-old Riley Tarver rocked his razor-sharp skis both runs, earning a much deserved first-ever trip to the top of the podium. Our friendly neighbors to the North, the Robinson family from Thunder Bay, have been a fun addition to our team this year with their four awesome skiers. Eight-year-old Penny Robinson skied great and won second place, edging out Halle Lamb (3rd) by two tenths. Eleven-yearold Sophie Robinson rocketed through the GS course and went in for her lunch break in first place one tenth of a second faster than team veteran Reilly Wahlers close behind in second. Sophie blew out in her slalom run and Reilly won the day landing in first place.

Race No. 4 of the Northland Junior Race Series was held at Spirit Mountain on January 22. At day’s end the Lutsen skiers achieved seven podiums and a handful of top fives. Above: Eight-year-old Riley Tarver charges to a first place finish.

Because of the big age differences in our program the action really heats up when the older kids run. What a thrill to watch the 12 and 13 boys soar over the skyline (a steep headwall at Spirit with a beautiful view) one after another through the action packed GS course.

At the lunch break the boys’ ranking was USSA star Wyatt Obey (1st), Will Lamb 4 /100s back (2nd), Team Duluth’s Tyler Winberg (3rd), Logan Backstrom (4th) and new addition to our team Alex Robinson (5th). After completion of their second runs, amazingly, all five boys finished the day in the same positions.

Sixteen-year-old Megan Lehto continues to shine, bringing home another first place. Luke Fenwick went full throttle in all the right places (3rd) after his first run, but was disqualified on his second attempt.

Above left: Team veteran Sela Backstrom propels herself through the course. Above right: Ian Kurschner has been having a blast at practice. He enjoyed his first Alpine race.

Solstice Nies and Ian Kurschner have been having a blast at practice and completed their first-ever Alpine ski races. Apologies to Ella Sporn who skied great on this day but completed her first Alpine event a few weeks ago at Mont Du Lac.

Stay tuned for more exciting junior Alpine action, including races at Lutsen Mountains.

Results