BY HEATHER FOSTER

Local skiers traveled to Mt. Bachelor, Ore., to compete in the 2023 U.S. Alpine Masters Nationals April 6-9. There they competed in two Super G races, one Giant Slalom, and one Slalom race.

Athletes from across the United States traveled to the Pacific Northwest to race for personal accomplishment and also for glory in winning the Division Cup. At the end of the four days, the Intermountain Division claimed the victory, with shining results from Sun Valley athletes.

Four local athletes came home as U.S. Alpine Masters National Champions in their respective age categories. Knut Olberg (Class 11), Chris Maxwell (Class 7), Jesse Foster (Class 6), and Heather Black (Class 7), all finished with the highest point totals at the conclusion of their race series.

Olberg and Foster defended their national champion titles from 2022, when the championships were held in Sun Valley.

Knut Olberg, Chris Maxwell, Jesse Foster, Heather Black, and Nancy Auseklis were also named to the 2023 Kappa Masters National Team based on combined points and highest results in three out of the four races held during the championships.

"While I've skied all my life, I did not start racing until my early 30's," said Heather Black. "I have worked hard for 25 years to try and climb to the top step of the national podium, and I am beyond thrilled to have made it there at last and to be named to the Masters National Team—it is quite an honor."

The 2023 National Speed Series belt buckle awards were also presented at the final award ceremony. Speed Series winners are awarded per age category based on total points from speed races (Downhill and Super G) throughout the season.

This year's belt buckle winners from the Wood River Valley were Knut Olberg (1^st in Class 11), Chris Maxwell (1^st in Class 7), Jesse Foster (1^st in Class 6), Nancy Auseklis (2^nd in Class 12), Heather Black (1^st in Class 7), and Heather Foster (2^nd in Class 6).

"It is such an honor to be able to ski with a team so diverse in age and so strong in ability," said Jesse Foster. "Our team demonstrated strong results and helped reclaim the Division Cup for Intermountain due to everyone's hard work and collaboration throughout the season, and our access to incredible training venues like Sun Valley and Rotarun."

Nancy (Sise) Auseklis of Sun Valley presented the Al Sise award given out at the Nationals in honor of her father, Al Sise, a Hall of Fame inductee. Chris Maxwell of Sun Valley was the male recipient.

The Al Sise award is given to the outstanding female and male alpine masters racers based on results at the annual USSA Masters National Championships. The USSS National Alpine Masters Committee makes these selections.