BY WILL FALLTRICK

Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation FIS Alpine athletes delivered outstanding performances at the Bryce Astle Memorial Utah FIS Elite Races, securing championship qualifications for 19 athletes, who competed against the best racers from across the Western Region.

Held February 17–21 at Utah Olympic Park and Snowbird, the event served as the final qualifier of the season for U18 Nationals and Western Region Junior Championships. Despite a shortened schedule due to conditions, SVSEF athletes rose to the occasion and competed well in a stacked field including many U18, U21, and Senior category athletes. 

Elodie Olsen led the team with a dominant performance in the women’s slalom events at Snowbird, claiming first place overall and first in the U18 category in the second race, and finishing sixth overall (first U18). Her consistent excellence throughout the qualifier series helped secure her spot among the top three overall athletes in the Western Region. 

Eight SVSEF athletes qualified for U18 Nationals at Mittersill, N.H.: Elodie Olsen, Samantha Milne, Ruby Smith, and Ava Huey on the women’s side, along with Henry Roberts, Tucker Reimund, Ulrich Rossi, and Conway Selznick representing the men’s team. An additional 11 athletes earned qualification for Western Region Junior Championships at Grand Targhee.

Ruby Smith showed consistent strength across multiple disciplines, taking 14th overall and first in U18 in the women’s giant slalom at Utah Olympic Park, while also posting strong finishes in both slalom races at Snowbird. In the men’s competitions, Ulrich Rossi finished 11th overall and second in U18 in the second slalom at UOP, while Tucker Reimund placed 30th overall and second in U18 in the giant slalom.

“The Utah elite series was the final qualifier series before championships. We qualified four girls (top three overall in west) and four guys (top two overall in west) for the U18 nationals in New Hampshire next week,” said SVSEF FIS Alpine Head Coach Will Courtney.

SVSEF ATHLETE RESULTS

Women’s 1st SL @ Snowbird 2/17

6th - Elodie Olsen (1st U18)

28th - Ruby Smith (12th U18)

Women’s 2nd SL @ Snowbird 2/17

1st - Elodie Olsen (1st U18)

13th - Samantha Milne (4th U18)

15th - Ruby Smith (6th U18)

30th - Lucy Olson (15th U18)

Women’s GS @ UOP 2/20

14th - Ruby Smith (1st U18)

23rd - Ava Huey (6th U18)

Men’s GS @ UOP 2/20

30th - Tucker Reimund (2nd U18)

Men’s 1st SL @ UOP 2/21

17th - Henry Roberts (4th U18)

19th - Huxley Flood (6th U18)

Men’s 2nd SL @ UOP 2/21

11th - Ulrich Rossi (2nd U18)

28th - Huxley Flood (19th U18)

Full Results

Utah Olympic Park: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=AL&eventid=58643&seasoncode=2026

Snowbird:

https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=AL&eventid=58548&seasoncode=2026

The SVSEF FIS Alpine Team will compete next at U18 Nationals in Mittersill, N.H., and Western Region Junior Championships at Grand Targhee, Wyo.