East Coast Freezes for NorAm super-G Races

Karina Schwartznau

Patrick Lebeau at his limit, Burke super-G: Photo credit Jay Riley

After a wet front and rainstorm that canceled the men’s and women’s NorAm GS races, the Super-G races were a go. The rain turned into ice, and conditions were the “real deal” for the four races at Burke Mountain. The men kicked it off first in double-header races, followed by the ladies.

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Close-up of conditions. Photo credit: Kristina Revello

The Men

The rain froze perfectly overnight, providing consistent conditions for both races. The super-G Junior World Champion Isaiah Nelson was the man to beat. After a first and second in slalom, he won the first race by a second over Stifel teammate Jack Smith. Another second behind Smith was University of Utah athlete Raphael Lessard.

“The course was very icy and I took advantage of this with my bib 24 to move up to the podium,” said Lessard. “It was a fun set with a lot of blind rolls and a big jump. I was able to attack the whole way while staying on my line.”

First race podium, from left to right: Jack Smith, Isaiah Nelson, Raphael Lessard. Photo credit: Raphael Lessard

The University of Denver alumni Tristan Lane won in the second race. Lane continues his ski racing pursuit by pursuing a NorAm title while simultaneously building the web application Propheski. The ski racer turned entrepreneur made the fantasy ski racing platform that launched last year.

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Jack Smith was just 0.02 seconds behind Lane. Smith’s results have him taking the lead in the super-G and overall NorAm cup standings. Swiss skier Andri Moser finished third, with Nelson just off the podium in fourth.

The Ladies

It was a similar story for the ladies. With shared stories of slick conditions and complex course sets, it was a fight to make it to the finish in one piece.

Tricia Mangan led the women in the first run and continued her fight for a NorAm title. She led the run by a half-second over Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athlete Tatum Grosdidier. Grosdidier secured her spot to represent the USA at the Junior World Championships, which begins later this week. Stifel U.S. D Team member May Bocock fought for bronze.

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“After a week of rain, it was awesome to race some SG finally and Burke did a great job as always with the hill prep,” said Mangan. “We had a rock-hard surface and two great races.”

Finally, Bocock found her rhythm in the second race to claim her first NorAm victory. Grosdidier was 0.01 seconds off her first NorAm win. Independent Haley Cutler finished third.

Women’s second race podium left to right: Tatum Grosdidier, Mary Bocock, Haley Cutler. Photo credit: Haley Cutler

“Skis had to be absolutely dialed in and your pressure had to be deliberate and forward,” shared Cutler. “Skiing on that type of snow is very humbling and when you make it down in one piece, you take it as a win. Being fast had to come from within and trusting yourself.”

Bocock’s Special Victory

The victory was very special and a big goal for her 2022-23 season. Furthermore, Bocock now leads the super-G NorAm standings.

“It was a surface that I had never skied before,” said Bocock. “There was a lot of terrain on the hill, so the inspection was critical. I was happy with the way I executed, but there were still some sections that could have been better.”