KEYSTONE, Colo. (Nov. 28) - Austrian Kathrin Zettel, a two-time World Cup winner with 11 other top-3s, won with a time of 1:59.95. McJames, the 2006 NorAm GS champion, finished her two runs in 2:01.27. Jessica Kelley (Starksboro, VT) was 13th and Lauren Ross (Stowe, VT) 15th on Keystone's Star Fire Trail on North Peak. Last season, Kelley won her third NorAm GS crown with McJames second in the standings. "This was the deepest field of talent we've seen in a NorAm in at least five years," said U.S. Coach John Hale. The Super Series races are the U.S. portion of the NorAm Cup schedule, which is a key development program leading to the World Cup. An overnight snowstorm left eight inches of powder on the course, so coaches and some athletes from all teams helped race organizers slip the course, pushing loose snow to the side to improve conditions. "Keystone's done such a great job in preparing this hill," Hale said, "and it turned out to be a serious, serious race. This was an awesome field of competitors, and all the wind made it even more challenging." The women run another GS Thursday, then head to Winter Park Resort for two slaloms. The Europeans are participating in the early season Super Series races before they head to Aspen next week for the Audi Aspen Winternational. 2008 ALPINE SUPER SERIES NorAm Cup Keystone, CO - Nov. 28, 2007 Women's Giant Slalom 1. Kathrin Zettel, Austria, 1:59.95 2. Tessa Worley, France, 2:00.38 3. Maria Pietilae-Holmner, Sweden, 2:00.81 4. Carolin Fernsebner, Germany, 2:01.01 5. Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 2:01.27 - Other U.S. in the top 25 13. Jessica Kelley, Starksboro, VT, 2:02.01 15. Lauren Ross, Stowe, VT, 2:02.41 24. Kiley Staples, Park City, UT, 2:02.76 25. Katie Hitchcock, Carmichael, CA, 2:02.83 |