BY WILL FALLTRICK

Elliot Leahy captured the overall title, qualifying for U.S. Nationals at the Western Region Junior championships held recently at Grand Targhee Resort on the Idaho-Wyoming border.

Athletes from the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Alpine FIS Team delivered strong performances at the Western Region Junior Championships held March 3–8 at Grand Targhee Resort. The championship series brought together top U18 and U21 ski racers from across the western United States, including athletes from California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho.

Despite a week of challenging and varied weather that included freezing rain, snow, fog, wind, and sunshine, organizers successfully hosted all six races scheduled for each gender, including two Super-G, two Giant Slalom and two Slalom competitions.

SVSEF athletes showed adaptability throughout the week, producing several podium finishes, top-10 results, and career-best performances.

Leading the way for SVSEF was Elliot Leahy, who captured victories in both women’s Super-G races and secured the overall WRJC win, earning qualification to the upcoming U.S. Alpine Championships (U.S. Nationals).

The 2026 Toyota U.S. Alpine National Championships are scheduled for March 28-31 in Vail.

“There were many great performances at this event, with career bests for some and excellent head-to-head results against peers,” said SVSEF Alpine FIS Team Head Coach Will Courtney. “Including an overall win for Elliot Leahy, punching her ticket to U.S. Nationals.”

Leahy credited the strong team atmosphere throughout the week: “The series was super fun with the team and I am looking forward to going to the U.S. Nationals in a few weeks,” she said.

SVSEF athletes delivered strong results across all disciplines during the championship series. In addition to her two Super-G victories and overall title, Leahy added fourth and eighth-place finishes in Giant Slalom and seventh in Slalom.

Lucy Olson reached the podium with a third-place Super-G finish and added several top-10 results, including fifth in Super-G and ninth in Slalom. Autumn Carpenter stood out in the Slalom events with sixth and fifth-place finishes, while Alyssa Huntsman recorded top-20 results in both Slalom races. Huxley Flood led the men’s squad with top 20 finishes in both Super-G and Giant Slalom races.

Complete results can be found at: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=AL&eventid=59235&seasoncode=2026.

SVSEF Athlete Results (Top 30 by Event)

Super-G – March 3
Men
16th – Huxley Flood (U18)

Women
1st – Elliot Leahy (U18)
3rd – Lucy Olson (U18)
14th – Perri DeGennaro (U18)
17th – Alyssa Huntsman (U18)
28th – Camden Bakker (U18)
29th – Violet Kovel (U18)

Super-G – March 4
Men
17th – Huxley Flood (U18)

Women
1st – Elliot Leahy (U18)
5th – Lucy Olson (U18)
18th – Perri DeGennaro (U18)
25th – Alyssa Huntsman (U18)
26th – Violet Kovel (U18)
27th – Autumn Carpenter (U18) 

Giant Slalom – March 5
Women
4th – Elliot Leahy (U18)
22nd – Violet Kovel (U18)
25th – Perri DeGennaro (U18)

Giant Slalom – March 6
Men
18th – Huxley Flood (U18)

Women
8th – Elliot Leahy (U18)
14th – Autumn Carpenter (U18)
18th – Lucy Olson (U18)
23rd – Perri DeGennaro (U18)

Slalom – March 7
Men
23rd – Thomas Connell (U18)

Women
6th – Autumn Carpenter (U18)
7th – Elliot Leahy (U18)
11th – Lucy Olson (U18)
19th – Alyssa Huntsman (U18)
25th – Violet Kovel (U18)

Slalom – March 8
Women
5th – Autumn Carpenter (U18)
9th – Lucy Olson (U18)
10th – Alyssa Huntsman (U18)
19th – Alaska Sewell (U18)
20th – Camden Bakker (U18)

Complete results are available https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=AL&eventid=59235&seasoncode=2026.