SSCV U16 skiers return from FESA Games with hardware
SSCV/Courtesy photo
Ski and Snowboard Club Vail athletes Kristina Shamshuryn and Calen White returned from Germany with some hardware after competing in the U16 FESA Games last weekend. The SSCV athletes joined four other Americans on Team USA, which was selected based upon results at the National Performance Series Project Gold races at Burke Mountain in January. The athletes faced spring conditions as they went up against 14 other countries in a super-G, giant slalom and slalom Feb. 27 to March 1 in Berchtesgaden.
“This event showcased the best of the U16 age group from the central European nations,” explained Ian Dunlop, SSCV’s U16 head coach. “It’s an event designed to help benchmark not only their individual progress, but how well we’re (the U.S.) preparing our young athletes for the next levels of the sport. It’s also a first chance for our athletes to experience European ski racing culture.”
Both took advantage of the opportunity. In the super-G, Shamshuryn finished 14th while White moved up from bib 45 to a tie for 22nd. In the GS, Shamshuryn moved up from bib 23 to take the silver medal.
“Kristina continues to show speed in all events and loves to shine in the big races,” Dunlop said. “Being in unfamiliar territory and performing as well as she did speaks volumes to her preparation and confidence in her skiing.”
Shamshuryn’s two-run total time of 1 minute, 35.11 seconds was just 0.17 back from winner Loane Dubuis of Switzerland. Fellow American Kira Hiebert finished in fourth.
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White was on a similar trajectory in his signature GS event, Dunlop said, but lost his ski in the final pitch on run No. 1. With unseasonably warm temps and no overnight freezing, soft snow later in the race order became a factor. White caught a groove in the melting lower section, which led to the DNF. He returned to place seventh in the slalom, overcoming tremendous rain and fog as well as what Dunlop described as an “unorthodox course set.”
“Calen has worked extremely hard in slalom and made a great leap this season,” Dunlop said. “His result among that top group at the event was definitely a highlight. It was anyone’s race going into the second run, so it’s certainly reasonable to think he could contend for a podium against this field.”
White was the top American, finishing in 1:38.38, 1.45 seconds back from winner Tobias Albl of Germany. Only 14 of the 52 female starters made it to the finish line. Germany swept the podium while Madeleine Greene led all U.S. athletes in 11th.
“Both courses used salt to harden the surface,” Dunlop stated. “It was variable and proved (to be) a challenge for the girls race.”
Dunlop has two other skiers currently in Europe. Aiden Wick and Seger Pomerantz are in Folgaria, Italy for the Alpe Cimbra (formerly the Topolino Cup) Children’s FIS race this week. Another group of U16 athletes are headed to Steamboat Springs for the U16 Rocky Central Regional Championships. Those races will select the group for U16 nationals taking place in Jackson, Wyoming at the end of the month.
