THE CHAMPIONSHIPS WINTER PARK 2012
On March 28, the Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships
officially kick off in Winter Park,
Colo., and continue through
April 1. After earning four World
Cup starts this year, Charles
Christianson — who has raced
for the Alyeska Ski Club, Row-mark Ski Academy and Williams
College — will be competing
back on American soil. Ski Racing chased down Christianson
to discuss Nationals, being self-funded, and getting through airports seamlessly.
Tell us a little about your past
experience at Nationals.
I always look forward to racing
at Nationals; some of my most
memorable ski moments took
place at the event. To qualify for
Nationals is not a small deal; for
many, it’s an achievement in its
own right. The first one I made it
to, in 2002, was in Squaw Valley
right after the Olympics. I was in
the same tent as Bode [Miller]
and Daron [Rahlves] and totally
wide-eyed. Pretty sure I had them
autograph my bib. Then 2004 at
my home hill of Alyeska was a
big one. The day before the first
downhill training run I had prob-
Charles Christianson spent his
28th birthday traveling to Kranjska
Gora after a last-minute invite to
another World Cup start.
GEPA
From the World Cup
to Winter Park
CATCHING UP WITH SELF-FUNDED U.S.
ALPINE CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTENDER
CHARLES CHRISTIANSON By Susan Theis
