Kieffer Christianson was looking to overcome a slow start to the season in Saturday's Colorado Junior Ski Cup giant slalom at Breckenridge.
He wasn't hoping to win or even to earn a podium spot - the 18-year-old from Anchorage, Alaska, just wanted a performance to build on for the rest of the season, he said.
He did what he wanted - and more.
Christianson won the men's GS with a combined time of 1 minute, 54.16 seconds. Cooper Cartmill (1:54.73) and Kitt Flower (1:55.35) rounded out the podium spots. All skiers are members of Iced Out Racing Ski Club based out of Summit County.
Quantum Sports Club hosted the FIS event on the American course at Breck's Peak 9.
"I haven't been skiing my best lately," said Christianson, who moved from Alaska to Summit County to train with Icedoutracing.com. "It was definitely nice to win and hopefully that will turn things around for me."
Snow and high winds made for a tough day of racing for competitors. Christianson said his long hours on the frosty Alaskan ranges prepared him for Saturday.
"I'm used to skiing in this kind of weather," he said. "Skiing up there (Alaska) is a lot like this. A lot of people complain (back home), but it's useful in times like this."
- From the Summit Daily News - January 5, 2008
