Lindsey Sine, USSA

INNICHEN, Italy — Switzerland’s Michael Schmid and Sweden’s Anna Holmlund went two for two as they won their second skiercross World Cup in as many days on Tuesday in Italy. Casey Puckett (Aspen, CO) led the U.S., finishing 18th.

“It didn’t start out as good as yesterday. We only had average qualifying results,” U.S. Ski Cross Head Coach Tyler Shepherd said. “Casey made a mistake in the upper part of the course in qualifying and didn’t get first lane choice. Getting first lane choice here is pretty critical.”

Schmid was followed in second by Norway’s Andun Groenvold and Switzerland’s Conradign Netzer in third. Daron Rahlves (Sugarbowl, CA) followed Puckett for the U.S., finishing 21st. Neither Rahlves or Puckett made it past the first heat.

“Both Casey and Daron had second choice and both got pinched out at the start,” Shepherd said. “Both their starts were good, too, so it’s a little frustrating.”

In the women’s race Holmlund was again followed by France’s Ophelie David in second. Sanna Luedi of Switzerland was third. Caitlin Ciccone (Littleton, NH) led the way for U.S. women in 27th.

It was Ciccone’s second World Cup to gain points in the standings as she slowly emerges as the top woman in ski cross in the U.S.

World Cup skiercross racing now breaks for the holidays, but will be back in action Jan. 5 in Austria.

Innichen/San Candido, Italy, Dec. 22, Skiercross

Men

1. Michael Schmid, Switzerland

2. Audun Groenvold, Norway

3. Conradign Netzer, Switzerland

4. Richard Spalinger, Switzerland

5. Xavier Kuhn, France

–

18. Casey Puckett, Aspen, CO

21. Daron Rahlves, Sugar Bowl, CA

47. Justin Johnson, Park City, UT

56. Jean Christophe Rudigoz, Sun Valley, ID

60. Patrick Duran, Fayston, VT

73. John Teller, Mammoth Lakes, CA

88. Scott Horn, Truckee, CA

Women

1. Anna Holmlund, Sweden

2. Ophelie David, France

3. Sanna Luedi, Switzerland

4. Julia Murray, Canada

5. Ashleigh McIvor, Canada

–

27. Caitlin Ciccone, Littleton, NH

48. Langely McNeal, Ketchum, ID