U.S. Olympic Alpine Team Named

by the USSA News Desk


Daron Rahlves makes a turn on his way to winning the gold medal in the men's super-G at the World Alpine Ski Championships in St. Anton, Austria, last year. Rahlves became the first American to capture the event since the super-G was added to the world championship schedule in 1987. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)

Park City, UT, Jan. 28, 2002 -- World Cup sensation Bode Miller of Franconia, NH, whose four World Cup alpine victories this season are the best by an American man since Phil Mahre in 1983, world super G champion Daron Rahlves of Sugar Bowl, CA, reigning Olympic champion Picabo Street of Park City, UT, and World Cup winner Kristina Koznick of Burnsville, MN head a 22-athlete Olympic Ski Team named Monday.

The team, made up of 11 men and 11 women, includes 15 athletes who have been to the Olympics. Selection was based on international results, predominantly World Cup racing, officials said.

Street has been the leading downhill qualifier since the first DH of the season in November. Miller has lit-up the World Cup this winter with his aggressive racing style, which includes three slalom wins and another in giant slalom.

Rahlves stunned the racing world a year ago when he claimed the super G gold medal, ahead of two Austrians, during the 2001 World Alpine Ski Championships in St. Anton, Austria. Koznick, heading to her second Olympics, recently won the fifth World Cup slalom in her career.

"We're really excited about this team. It has strong Olympic experience and many individuals with proven World Cup success," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association VP-Athletics Alan Ashley.

"Bode's rightfully grabbed the headlines this season but I think we'll surprise more than a few people with our depth and the way we come to compete," Ashley said. "I don't think for a moment think these will be a one-man Olympics for us; I know these athletes are proud to represent their country and they'll do everything they can to light-up their races."

The 2002 U.S. Olympic Alpine Team:

Men
Jake Fiala, 26, Frisco, CO ('98 Olympian)
Chip Knight, 27, Stowe, VT ('98 Olympian)
Scott Macartney, 24, Redmond, WA
Bode Miller, 24, Franconia, NH ('98 Olympian)
Casey Puckett, 29, Aspen, CO ('92, '94, '98 Olympian)
Daron Rahlves, 28, Sugar Bowl, CA ('98 Olympian)
Tom Rothrock, 23, Cashmere, WA
Erik Schlopy, 29, Park City, UT, ('94 Olympian)
Dane Spencer, 24, Boise, ID
Marco Sullivan, 21, Squaw Valley, CA
Thomas Vonn, 26, Newburgh, NY

Women
Kirsten Clark, 24, Raymond, ME ('98 Olympian)
Lindsey C. Kildow, 17, Vail, CO
Kristina Koznick, 26, Burnsville, MN ('98 Olympian)
Caroline Lalive, 22, Steamboat Springs, CO ('98 Olympian)
Julia Mancuso, 17, Squaw Valley, CA
Jonna Mendes, 22, Heavenly, CA ('98 Olympian)
Katie Monahan, 29, Aspen, CO ('98 Olympian)
Tasha Nelson, 27, Mound, MN ('98 Olympian
Sarah Schleper, 22, Vail, CO ('98 Olympian)
Alex Shaffer, 26, Park City, UT ('98 Olympian)
Picabo Street, 30, Park City, UT ('94, '98 Olympian)

source:http://www.skinet.com/article/competition.cfm?alias_id=9855