Libby Ludlow captures giant slalom title in final event of U.S. Nationals

Libby Ludlow captures giant slalom title in final event of U.S. NationalsTwo days after a collision with a panel in the national super G race, Libby Ludlow shook off any lingering pain to win her first national title.

The U.S. B team member and student at Dartmouth College trounced the field in the first run of giant slalom and was third fastest in the second run. Her winning total time of 2.22.09 left Julia Mancuso in second for the fourth straight race, and nudged Jessica Kelley to third.

Ludlow was thankful for the two days of rest between the super G race and Tuesday’s giant slalom. It gave her time for the bruised right side of her body to heal. “This (win) makes me mentally tough,” said Ludlow at the finish. “You have to put the pain out of your mind.”

The first run down the steep, narrow Alyeska GS Trail was tight and turny, and the shaded, icy snow exacerbated the degree of difficulty. As a result, racers were exhausted at the finish. “In that first run I thought my legs were going to explode. I skied everything out of me,” said Kelley, sixth after the first run. “I had to go for a quick run before the second run.”

The bright sun had softened the surface for the second run, but the course was every bit as challenging. With five to go, Kelley took the overall lead, but Mancuso soon bumped her into second. They both survived assaults from Lindsey Kildow, winner of the slalom and super G, Resi Stiegler and Lauren Ross with only Ludlow left in the start.

Ludlow, known for her technical prowess on the World Cup speed circuit, had no choice but to go all out. “I knew any of the five girls in front of me can lay one down,” said Ludlow, who then laid down one of her own to take her first ever national title.

The fiery Mancuso always seems to come to the national championships with enough gas in the tank to be in the hunt in every event. Last year she earned three gold medals at the nationals at Lake Placid, but this year her fourth consecutive silver medal, plus a win in the combined, set the new standard. “Five medals at the championships is exciting,” said Mancuso. “I wish I got a gold – it’s always nice to win an event. I didn’t have my best first runs, so to come back and make second is great.” Mancuso did a quick hip-check on the first run.

Cochran family matriarch Ginny witnessed the third Cochran family medal in three days when granddaughter Jessica Kelley took the bronze. Kelley’s cousin, Jimmy Cochran, won both the slalom and giant slalom the previous two days. Kelley was pleased and relieved. “I finally skied well in GS,” said a smiling Kelley. “It’s a good way to end the season.”

The podium celebration got under way shortly after the conclusion of the race, as the race crews were cleaning up the race hill for the final time. An improbable run of six days of cloudless skies, perfect snow conditions, and impeccably prepared race hills had drawn to a close. The Alyeska experience will be long remembered.