Alaska News

Christianson 42nd in his second World Cup race

Anchorage skier Kieffer Christianson on Saturday did what Bode Miller could not -- complete the first run of a World Cup giant slalom race in Adelboden, Switzerland.

Starting 46th in a field of the world's best alpine gate-runners, Christianson finished 42nd in the first run. He needed a top-30 result to qualify for a second run, so his day ended early.

Miller, a five-time Olympic medalist, crashed during his first run. Ted Ligety, the American who won in Adelboden last season, crashed during his second run.

Adelboden is the site of what is generally acknowledged as the World Cup's most challenging giant slalom course, a tiny town that welcomes 20,000 fans on race day. "This is the best crowd in ski racing," Vermont racer Robby Kelley said in a U.S. Ski Team press release after placing 28th.

For Christianson, it was a milestone event -- his first time racing at Adelboden and his second World Cup start, his first coming earlier this season in Soelden, Austria. The race marked Miller's 467th start and Ligety's 237th, and each has had more than a dozen races at Adelboden.

Christianson, 21, is the youngest member of the six-man U.S. squad that competed in the race.

SNOWBOARDING

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Callan 23rd in Andorra

Girdwood's Callan Chythlook-Sifsof made it to the quarterfinals of a World Cup snowboardcross race Saturday in Andorra but advanced no farther, finishing 23rd.

Chythlook-Sifsof, who is seeking her second Winter Olympics berth, was the third American finisher. Lindsey Jacobellis claimed the bronze medal in the women's finals and Jacqueline Hernandez made it to the "small" final, placing ninth.

The result puts Chythlook-Sifsof 28th in the world rankings. She trails three other Americans -- Jacobellis (2nd), Hernandez (12th) and Faye Gulini (19th).

The U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Team will name two women to the snowboardcross team for next month's Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The first criteria is a top-four result in one of four qualifying events, and so far Jacobellis is the only American woman to meet that standard.

The last qualifying event is next weekend in Switzerland. If no one other than Jacobellis finishes in the top four, a second rider could make the Olympic team as a discretionary choice by the coaching staff.

ALPINE SKIING

Lundgren, Garrigus triumph

Sarah Lundgren and Adam Garrigus sped to victory Saturday in a super-G event at Alyeska Ski Resort. The event was a make-up race for last month's Coco-Cola Holiday Classic.

Lundgren completed the one-run event on Alyeska's lower race trail in 1 minute, 5.28 seconds, edging Margo Lane (1:05.41) of the U16 group by .13 seconds. Morgan Leach, also a U16 skier, took third place at 1:07.22.

Garrigus' victory was also won by a narrow margin. The U16 skier clocked 1:03.07 to beat Clayton Wade, who finished in 1:03.35. Will Ingram took third in 1:05.42.

Racing continues Sunday with another super-G and a race that combines multiple alpine disciplines in a single event.

Coca-Cola Holiday Classic

At Alyeska Ski Resort

Women -- 1) Sarah Lundgren, 1:05.28; 2) Madison Mashburn, 1:08.19; 3) Molly Lukes, 1:08.89; 4) Hannah Ingrim, 1:12.84. U14 -- 1) Sanne Cassee 1:08.43; 2) Zoe Hancock, 1:15.34; 3) Emily Workman, 1:18.35; 4) Lexi Patten, 1:20.77; 5) Emma Wrigley, 1:21.30; 6) Lubava Wessels, 1:22.78; Joyce Kim, 1:25.30. U16 -- 1) Margo Lane, 1:05.41; 2) Morgan Leach, 1:07.22; 3) Amanda Lundgren, 1:09.11; 4) Frances Ruth Carlisle, 1:09.29; 5) April Ingrim 1:10.72; 6) Arianna Hall, 1:10.83; 7) Hannah Lukes, 1:10.85; 8) Brenna Petrie, 1:13.69; 9) Haley Carney, 1:17.77.

Men -- 1) Clayton Wade, 1:03.35; 2) William Ingrim, 1:05.42; 3) Ross Johnson, 1:07.09; 4) Raymond Wessels, 1:10.70; 5) Jim Henderson, 1:13.70. U14 -- 1) Conner Lane, 1:07.43; 2) Hunter Eid, 1:07.80; 3) Jack Stahla, 1:08.37; 4) Kevin Leach, 1:10.60; 5) Kelemen Legate, 1:15.15; 6) Kai Penn, 1:16.71; 7) Adam Ostberg, 1:20.53. U16 -- 1) Adam Garrigus, 1:03.07; 2) Charlie Lamb, 1:06.50; 3) Garrett Mashburn, 1:06.87; 4) Col Lindemuth, 1:08.55; 5) Taylor Mapes, 1:09.81; 6) Austen Eriksson, 1:09.24; 7) Cabell Hildreth, 1:11.62; 8) Zachary Burris, 1:13.79.

NORDIC SKIING

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Ebner 2nd in Montana

UAA senior Lukas Ebner skied to a place on the podium Saturday at the Montana State Invitational in Bozeman.

Ebner, an NCAA All-American, placed third in the men's 10-kilometer classic race at Bohart Ranch. His time of 31 minutes, 1.1 seconds put him 31 seconds behind winner Madlener Moritz of Denver. Freshmen Etienne Richard (8th, 31:57.7) and Andrew Arnold (13th, 32:47.2) gave the Seawolves three skiers in the top 15.

In the women's 5-K race, freshman Synnoeve Bruland (12th in 18:04.5) and sophomore Marine Dusser (15th in 18:17) paced the Seawolves. Denver's Sylvia Nordskar dominated in 16:40.1.

A trio of Alaskans who ski for Montana State claimed spots in the top 10 -- Jessica Yeaton (6th in 17:42.4), Kate Backstrum (7th in 17:54.4) and Annie Liotta (10th in 18:01.3).

Anchorage Daily News

sports@adn.com

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