U10 Sierra Cup GS
January 18-19, 2025 - The U10 Far West race season kicked off with the Sierra Cup GS races on January 18 and 19. Twelve Sugar Bowl Academy athletes joined coaches Ben and Erhard in Mammoth. The team familiarized itself with the terrain and layout of the mountain with a freeski day on Friday, then took to the slopes of Fascination as did some local wildlife. On Saturday, Genevieve Faix and Emery Keatley traded off with the fastest times on first and second runs respectively, finishing 1st and 2nd overall. Catherine “Kitkat” Hanbury finished less than four-tenths off the podium in 4th. Lucas Strohl led the way for SBA boys in 7th.
On Sunday, competitors returned to Fascination, this time with the boys running first. Three SBA athletes finished in the top 15 including Will Phillips (4th) - only 0.62 seconds off first, Lucas Strohl (8th), and Aaron Shefftz (13th). Sitting 1, 2, and 3, SBA girls dominated the first run, putting several SBA coaches’ hair on high alert. Catherine Hanbury again finished in 4th with Saturday’s winner Genevieve Faix in 3rd and Emery Keatley skiing the fastest first and second runs to bring home the win. Congratulations to our Sugar Bowl athletes on a fantastic start to the race season. The next U10 Far West races will take place February 8 and 9 at Diamond Peak.