6 Steamboat Skiers Named to U.S. Ski and Snowboard Nordic Junior World Ski Championships Roster

Six Steamboat skiers with strong ties to Steamboat Springs have been named to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Nordic Junior World Ski Championships roster. The event, set to take place in Lake Placid, New York from February 11–16, 2025, will bring together the top under-20 Nordic athletes from 21 nations. The championships feature competitions in both Nordic combined and ski jumping.

For the Nordic combined event, the women’s team includes Ella Wilson, Haley Brabec, and Kai McKinnon, while the men’s team is comprised of Anders Giese, Arthur Tirone, Caleb Zuckerman, Ethan Maines, and Ronen Woods. The article notes that selection to the team was based on objective criteria such as World Cup points, Continental Cup results, and performance in domestic qualifier events. Several qualifiers were held in Steamboat Springs and Lake Placid, underscoring the rigorous process that these young athletes underwent.

Coach Karl Denney of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club provided insight into the selection process. He explained that while some athletes were initially unimpressed by the idea of competing in Lake Placid – largely due to familiarity – they have come to appreciate the excitement of hosting such an international event on home snow. Denney highlighted standout performances, including that of 16-year-old Arthur Tirone who dominated domestic qualifiers, as well as 15-year-old Ethan Maines who impressed as a newcomer by matching the pace of athletes several years his senior.

In the ski jumping category, the women’s team features Kaija Copenhaver, Estella Hassrick, Josie Johnson, and Sandra Sproch. The men’s ski jumping team includes Jason Colby, Tate Frantz, Sawyer Graves, Bryce Klock, and Henry Loher. Special attention was given to athletes like Jason Colby, who has recently begun competing in World Cup events, and Sawyer Graves, whose improvements in handling competitive pressure have been noted by coach Denney.

The article also emphasizes the additional benefits for U.S. athletes competing on home snow, such as reduced travel times and easier access to local resources. Overall, the roster selection is seen as not only an opportunity for the junior athletes to showcase their talents on the world stage but also a moment of pride for U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined.

For more detailed event information and scheduling, readers are directed to OlympicJumpingComplex.com/NordicJuniorWorlds/.