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hill top 10s, Cook ended last season in the top- 20 World Cup downhill rankings for the second consecutive season. A pair of bronze
medals at U.S. Nationals closed her season on a high note.
First Person: “Last season started out a little rough. Lake Louise
is usually a consistent race for me, and it didn’t go very well. But
the season ended well with the last few World Cups, and then Nationals. It was the first season I was able to turn around from a bad
start, so I look at that as a positive, and it gives me confidence to
move on after bad races in the future. I have switched boot models
with Rossignol, which I hope I will give me a bit more speed. It has
been a tough change but I am embracing the challenge and I know
it is going to be better once I get more used to them.”
Julia Mancuso
Hometown: Squaw Valley, Calif.
Team Years: 12
Club: Squaw Valley Ski Team
School: Park City Winter School
Equipment: Völkl, Lange, POC,
Marker, Leki
Sponsors: VISA, Sprint, Nike,
Audi, Spyder, Kaenon, Squaw Valley
Catch Up: Topped with her first
World Cup victory in four years,
last year Mancuso hauled in four
more podiums on her way to her best rankings in three years (fifth
overall, third in downhill and super G). She ended the season with
U.S. National titles in both super G and GS.
First Person: “It was nice to win the last race of the season, but
then it feels like you almost start all over again after the summer.
You get six months off of skiing and then you have to get back in the
race gate and perform at the same level, so it’s definitely difficult.
The confidence is there; I know I can do it. I’m back in my van this
season cruising through Europe, cooking some meals and living the
California dream in Europe. When we don’t have a World Champi-
onships or Olympics it kind of gives you more creativity within the
races without thinking, ‘I need to rest up for the weeks in February
when I want to do really well.’ It’s just full-on every race and, actu-
ally, it’s less of a break. We don’t get two or three weeks in one
place; with World Cup it’s every weekend. It’s a packed schedule
and I really want to be consistent on the whole tour.”
Alice McKennis
Hometown: Glenwood Springs,
Colo.
Team Years: 3
Club: Rowmark Ski Academy
School: Westminster College
Equipment: Atomic, Shred, Swix,
Slytech
Sponsors: Aspen/Snowmass,
World Cup Dreams Foundation,
T2 Foundation
Catch Up: Just a year after pulling in 12 World Cup scoring performances, including two top- 10
finishers during her first year on the tour, McKennis had her 2010-
2011 season cut short in early January, when she broke the tibia
plateau of her left leg while training in Europe.
First Person: “There are silver linings to every setback in life. I
have been living in Park City to continue my rehab. So far, so good.
My leg is responding well, and I’m happy to be moving forward.”
“I started skiing in August and went to Chile. I don’t know what
to expect; my main goal is just to be healthy all season and see
how it goes. I definitely want to stay in the top 30 in downhill but I
don’t really have any expectations right now. I’m hoping to race in
Lake Louise.”
Laurenne Ross
Hometown: Bend, Ore.
Team Years: 5
Club: Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation
School: Westminster College
Equipment: Atomic, Leki, Shred
Catch Up: Ross really broke out
in 2011, with 13 World Cup scoring
results — including a fourth-place
result in Tarvisio. A pair of top- 20
results in combined races showed
she is a true all-rounder. Ranked
16 in the super G at season’s end, Ross is positioned for a crack at
the podium this year.
First Person: “Last season I learned how to deal with pressure a
lot better and I learned that I can be a really fast ski racer. I have
the capabilities to be in the top five and, if I believe in myself, I can
crack onto the podium on the World Cup. I want to get on the podium in World Cups this year; that’s one of my main goals. What
I’m trying to do is be relaxed everywhere I go and get myself honed
into that moment in where I do it more for myself and don’t get so
worked up and nervous. I want to do the best that I can and take
advantage of every experience. The race that I’m looking forward to
the most is Cortina because my family is coming out, and it’s such
a great course and beautiful area.”
Sarah Schleper
Hometown: Vail, Colo.
Team Years: 15
Club: Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
School: Vail Valley Academy
Equipment: Rossignol, Lange, Keka, Shred
Sponsors: Vail Resorts, Buzz’s Ski Shop, Vail Valley Foundation
Catch Up: Last season, her 14th on the U.S. Ski Team, Schleper
SkiRacing.com NOVEMBER 21, 2011 | 33
