BY HEATHER FOSTER

The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation FIS Alpine team opened their 2025–26 race season at the Western Region FIS Devo Open hosted at Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Mont., Dec.15-18.

And Ruby Smith and Elodie Olsen climbed the podium in their first contests of the season.

The event featured two Giant Slalom races and one Slalom race and drew competitors from California, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Utah, as well as several Division I collegiate athletes.

Elodie Smith took first and Samanta Milne third in the Women’s U18 Slalom.

Each race consisted of exceptionally deep fields, with approximately 115 women and 125 men competing in each event. Despite the challenges, SVSEF athletes showed determination and good early-season form highlighted by multiple U18 podium finishes and solid results throughout the men’s and women’s teams. 

“This week the athletes showed great confidence and grit,” said SVSEF FIS Team Assistant and Assistant Alpine Director Charlotte Gourlay. “Dedication to strength and conditioning and the prep period have helped the athletes start the season right.”

Athletes echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the value of racing in large, competitive fields.

“It was a great experience in Big Sky,” said SVSEF FIS Team athlete Tucker Reimund. “It showed what it was like to run from the back and the persistence that you need to get down the hill and finish the race.”

On the women’s side, Ruby Smith led the way with an impressive third-place finish in the opening GS race on Dec. 15, earning first in the U18 category. She followed up with another strong performance on Dec. 16, placing ninth overall and second among U18 athletes.

Elodie Olsen capped off the series with a standout second-place finish in the Slalom on Dec. 18, taking the top spot in the U18 category. The women’s team consistently placed multiple athletes inside the top 30 throughout the series.

The men’s team also posted solid results in the highly competitive fields. Henry Roberts recorded top-20 finishes in both GS races, including 19th and 15th overall (6th and 5th among U18 athletes). Tucker Reimund was top-placed in the men’s Slalom with a 22nd overall (5th in U18), gaining valuable experience to start the season.

MEANWHILE….

Other athletes with Sun Valley ties have gotten off to good starts on the World Cup circuit, according to John Lundin, who is reporting on the World Cup races for the North American Snowsports Journalists Association this year.

Ryan Sarchette from Sun Valley placed tenth in the men’s GS at Val d’Isere. And Breezy Johnson was fourth in the Downhill at St. Moritz.

SVSEF Athlete Results from Big Sky, Mont.

FIS Men GS Dec. 15 

19th- Henry Roberts (6th U18) 

27th- Tucker Reimund (9th U18) 

52nd- Huxley Flood 

FIS Women GS Dec. 15 

3rd- Ruby Smith (1st U18) 

20th- Anna Taylor (5th U18) 

24th- Ava Huey (8th U18) 

28th- Elliot Leahy (11th U18) 

38th- Lucy Olson 

41st- Alyssa Huntsman 

54th- Perri DeGennaro 

58th- Violet Kovel 

61st- Alaska Sewell 

63rd- Camden Bakker 

66th- Iyla Field 

73rd- Malaya Yarmark 

76th- Amilia Selznick 

FIS Men GS Dec. 16 

15th- Henry Roberts (5th U18) 

FIS Women GS Dec. 16

9th- Ruby Smith (2nd U18) 

15th- Samantha Milne (3rd U18) 

21st- Ava Huey (5th U18) 

27th- Anna Taylor (8th U18) 

37th- Autumn Carpenter 

43rd- Elliot Leahy 

48th- Lucy Olson 

57th- Perri DeGennaro 

59th- Violet Kovel 

60th- Alyssa Huntsman 

75th- Alaska Sewell 

88th- Amilia Selznick 

FIS Men SL Dec. 18 

22nd- Tucker Reimund (5th U18) 

FIS Women Dec. 18 

2nd- Elodie Olsen (1st U18) 

10th- Samantha Milne (3rd U18) 

18th- Autumn Carpenter 

21st- Anna Taylor 

30th- Elliot Leahy 

38th- Lucy Olson 

41st- Alyssa Huntsman 

54th- Camden Bakker 

59th- Iyla Field 

66th- Amilia Selznick