This year's YSL Championships at Terry Peak in South Dakata was a success for the BSF Alpine Devo team. We had almost 20 athletes competing in the GS, Slalom, and Kombi events, making up a quarter of the field.
The first day was scheduled for GS, but due to freezing rain and fog, the lifts were shut down, and the race was postponed. Our athletes showed incredible bravery, waiting at the start for an hour before the decision was made to move the race to the next day when conditions looked better.
Saturday brought beautiful, sunny weather. The snow, firm from the previous day's wet conditions, softened slightly, creating a fast yet grippy surface. The course featured a maximum 250m vertical drop, the longest GS of our season, with a grueling 43-turn layout. BSF athletes delivered outstanding performances. In the U10 boys category, Seb Sadaj took first place, with Alden Goldsworth finishing fourth. The U12 boys had five finishers in the top ten, with Peter Buchbauer securing second place. The BSF girls dominated their categories: the U12 girls had six athletes in the top ten, including Fiona McCurdy in third and Hailey Stephenson taking the win. In the U10 girls, Ellie Eggnatz finished second, Sarah Holt achieved a season-best fourth, and Brooke Nickell placed seventh. The U8 girls saw two top-five finishes, with Greta Skoglund claiming victory.
Later that day, the Kombi Big G race took place. This high-speed event featured 25 delay turns spaced at about 30 meters, providing an exciting challenge. BSF athletes continued to shine: Greta secured another top-three finish in the U8 girls, Ellie placed second again in the U10s, and Avi Galli and Hailey Stephenson finished fourth and second, respectively, in the U12s. The U10 boys saw another win from Seb, with Alden joining him on the podium in second place.
Sunday's final event was a quick slalom race. Athletes navigated a challenging course with a moderate headwall pitch leading into a fast flat section that demanded precision and agility. The course design featured rhythm sections with offsets, vertical faux flushes, and tough combinations set across the fall line. The surface remained firm, allowing athletes to push their limits. Greta claimed another U8 girls' victory, with Hanna Hewitt securing third place. In the U10 girls, Ellie finished second once more, with Sarah in sixth. Hailey dominated the U12 girls' race again, while Leisl Crum achieved a season-best fifth place, contributing to four BSF girls in the top ten. The U10 boys had two top-ten finishers, while the U12 boys placed four in the top ten, including Peter on the podium in third.
This year's championship event was a major success for the BSF Devo team. In the overall standings, Hailey secured second place, and Ellie took third. Nearly every BSF athlete who participated reached the medal positions, showcasing the team's depth and talent. With many athletes in their first year of their age groups, next season promises even greater success as they continue to develop and compete at a high level.
