US Skiers Krupka and Hurt Triumph with ANC Slalom Wins

1 year ago

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Peter Lange

Jimmy Krupka Coronet Peak ANC SL: Photo Neil Kerr

Today marked another triumphant chapter for the US skiers at the Australia-New Zealand Cup (ANC). The Stifel US Ski Team women claimed the top spot for the third consecutive race, while USA’s Independent Jimmy Krupka won in the men’s category.

AJ Hurt of Palisades Tahoe wins her second race in three tries and secures her first Continental Cup slalom victory. She placed 6th (+0.92) after the first run but dominated the second run (-1.55), finishing the race first (-1.22). Teammate Ava Sunshine took second place, while Austrian Valentina Pfurtscheller claimed third (+1.86) behind 1st. Significantly, Sunshine clinched her second podium of the series and dominated the slalom’s first run by (-0.75) on her path to becoming the runner-up. Their US teammate Dasha Romanov also skied well, the 20-year-old Sun Valley racer finished 5th overall and won the Junior division.

Green Mountain Valley School alumni Independent Krupka claimed his debut ANC win in the men’s race. His inaugural SL on Nordica gear will likely lead to World Cup starts this winter. Even though he ran 30th in challenging second-run conditions, his first-run lead was enough to propel him to victory. World Cup veterans Sam Maes, Belgium (+0.23), and Laurie Taylor of Great Britain (+0.42) completed the podium.

Stifel US Ski Team member and Team Summit alumni Camden Palmquist also contributed to the US men’s success. Palmquist (2003 YOB) finished 11th overall and was the fastest junior in the race.

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