Seymour Takes U.S. Alpine Championships Slalom Win, Romanov Second

On day two of the Toyota U.S. Alpine Championships presented by Stifel, Jett Seymour and Lila Lapanja took home the slalom titles.

The day began with snow, making for a soft surface underfoot for the athletes. Many of the men describing the conditions to be difficult as more racers took on the track. Regardless, the top racers put their best skiing forward to claim the coveted national title.

“It’s nice to cap off a hectic year in Europe with some unbelievable highs and lows with a win here,” said Seymour. “Skiing was good today I turned it on and I am happy with it.”

Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athletes Luke Winters and Jay Poulter were second and third with Garret Driller just off the podium by 0.01 seconds. Both Winters and Poulter proud of their skiing and happy to walk away with a medal.

“It’s all fun here, I tried to win but Jett is skiing well so I was not quite close enough first run,” said Winters. “I am super stoked and excited to lay down two good runs, my skiing was good and run two I was pretty dialed and it was good,” said Poulter.

This marks the end of the slalom season for the majority of the Stifle U.S. Alpine Ski Team, a few skiers plan to take on spring series near their home resorts too.

On the women’s side, long time slalom force Lila Lapanja took home her first national title, a goal that she has had since her first nationals back in 2011.

“I have wanted this since I have been racing U.S. Nationals, here we are 12 years later,” said Lapanja. “I think we are all tired at this point in the year so I knew I had to focus on some good technical skiing and that would carry me to the finish.”

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Dasha Romanov took home second place on her home hill, a big win for the young skier.

“This is so unexpected, and I am so happy to put such a great day together, this was the last slalom race of the year so I am happy to go out with a bang,” said Romanov. “I am really happy with the progress I have made coming back from injury so really happy to finish it up here.”

Third place went to Norwegian and NCAA athlete Kristiane Bekkestad.