SAINT-BON-TARENTAISE, France (Feb. 1, 2016) – A talented group of U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) U16 National Training Group (NTG) athletes will compete this week at the 7 Nations Cup, one of Europe’s premiere U16 events. Sixteen athletes will represent the U.S. in giant slalom and slalom races at France’s Courchevel ski resort.
Now in its fourth season, the 7 Nations Cup is hosted by a different nation in Europe each year. It is a good international test for the U.S. U16 racers, with deep competition from the strong central European nations. The U.S. U16s have posted three top-five finishes since the event’s inception.
This year, eight of the 16 athletes on the 7 Nations Cup team have spent the last few weeks in Europe training and competing. The group got a taste of what it’s like to compete on the world stage, finishing ninth in the Hahnankamm Juniors event on January 20. While some competed in Kitzbuehel, others stayed back in the U.S. to complete a NTG project in Stowe, VT, before traveling to Hinterreit and Bad Wiessee, Germany for more training and competitions.
“The 7 nations cup is the biggest and most significant youth race in Europe,” stated NTG U16 Head Coach John Cashman. “It will be great international experience for our U16 athletes to see just how they are stacking up with the best U16s in Europe and how we are doing as a country developmentally with our younger athletes. I have high expectations as we have been in Europe preparing for this event for a few weeks. The athletes are skiing well and with confidence going into the event.”
The 7 Nations Cup kicks off with a giant slalom race on Feb. 4 and concludes on Feb. 5 with a slalom race. Both events begin at 9:30 a.m. local time.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sixteen American athletes will compete at this year’s 7 Nations Cup at Courchevel ski resort in France.
- The group of U16 athletes represent over seven different USSA clubs from around the country.
- The 7 Nations Cup is one of the premiere U16 events in Europe.
- Athletes will compete in a giant slalom race on Feb. 4 and a slalom race on Feb. 5.
QUOTES
John Cashman, NTG U16 Head Coach, USSA
The 7 nations cup is the biggest and most significant youth race in Europe. It will be great international experience for our U16 athletes to see just how they are stacking up with the best U16s in Europe and how we are doing as a country developmentally with our younger athletes. I have high expectations as we have been in Europe preparing for this event for a few weeks. The athletes are skiing well and with confidence going into the event.
2016 7 Nations Cup
Name (Hometown; Club; Birthdate)
Men
Max Bervy (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/22/2000)
Peyton Brones (Steamboat Springs, CO; Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club; 4/14/2001)
Patrick Coughlin (North Salem, NY; Burke Mountain Academy; 4/10/2001)
Zach Dekko (Edina, MN; Buck Hill Ski Racing Club; 5/2/2000)
Kellen Kinsella (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 8/7/2001)
Gus Lablanc (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 1/28/2000)
Eric Negomir (Littleton, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 5/30/2000)
Dashiell Prince-Judd (San Francisco, CA; Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy)
Ben Ritchie (Waitsfield, VT; Green Mountain Valley School; 9/5/2000)
Zane Worrell (Vail, Co; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 8/29/2001)
Women
Tatum Coutu (Foster, RI; Burke Mountain Academy; 5/13/2000)
Kaitlyn Harsch (Avon, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 1/1/2001)
A J Hurt (Carnelian Bay, CA; Squaw Valley Ski Team; 12/5/2000)
Allie Resnick (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 9/1/2001)
Sarah Rowe (Dollar Bay, MI; 11/18/2000)
Alix Wilkinson (Park City, UT; 8/2/2000)