Squaw athlete captures his first downhill win

By USSA

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. -– Jackie Wiles (Aurora, Ore.) and Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley) claimed the U.S. Alpine Championships downhill titles during a chilly Tuesday at U.S. Ski Team Speed Center.

It was the second straight U.S. downhill gold for Wiles, who nearly scored Audi FIS Alpine World Cup points last weekend in both Lake Louise downhill races, the second and third World Cup starts of her young career.

Bennett also harnessed momentum from his first World Cup start – also in Lake Louise – to capture his first U.S. title with the men’s downhill crown. consecutive U.S. Alpine Championships downhill title.

Katie Hartman (Breckenridge, Colo.) was second, followed by Katie Ryan (Aspen), who was also the top junior woman.

2013 men’s downhill champion Jared Goldeberg (Holladay, Utah) took second in the men’s race, followed by Artem Borodaykin of Russia, who was also the top junior.