Minnesota Skier Makes American History
By Nick Clark
Sun Newspapers
(Created: Wednesday, April 5, 2006 10:35 PM CDT)
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When Michael Ankeny of Deephaven went west to Colorado in early March for the Rocky Mountain/Central J3 Junior Olympics, he didn't bring the highest of expectations with him.
Ankeny, a ninth-grader at The Blake School, had an idea what the competition was going to be like.
"I go out to Colorado a lot during the season, and every time I did, all the Rocky [Mountain] kids were beating me, so I didn't expect to win."," said Ankeny, who helped lead the Blake boys Alpine ski team to a state title in February. "
Ninety-seven racers competed in the four-race (slalom, giant slalom, super G and downhill) skiing marathon.
Ankeny crashed hard in the event's first race - the downhill - and then finished fifth in the super G. He banged his arm in the crash and was in pain during the super G.
"I wasn't hurt too bad, but my arm was really sore, and in the super G you hit your arm a lot," Ankeny said. "So during the super G, I was kind of timid because I knew that it wasn't my best event, so I kind of wanted to save up for the next two."
Ankeny had a day off after the first day of races, so he rested, regrouped and heeled. When he was back on the hill two days later, the 15-year old was rejuvenated.
Ankeny won the giant slalom and then edged out Hunter Schleper in the slalom to win the entire event.
"I wasn't surprised," said his coach, Erich Sailor. "He's an extraordinary skier. He stands up under pressure and can always put it in another gear. He is not a complainer. When he works, he works hard."
"It was totally unexpected, but it was really cool to win," Ankeny said.
The win not only vaulted Ankeny to the top of the elite in his age group, it also verified Ankeny's status as one of the best youth skiers the country has ever produced.
Winning gave Ankeny a chance to represent the United States at this weekend's Whistler Cup in British Columbia. The Whistler Cup is considered by the skiing community as the premier junior ski race in the world. This will be Ankeny's fourth straight appearance at the race. No other American has ever been there four straight years.
"It means something to me, that is for sure," Ankeny said. "It is really cool."
Skiers from 26 countries will be represented at the Whistler Cup.
Two years ago, Ankeny finished 10th in the giant slalom and second in the slalom. This time around, Ankeny's coach thinks he can win the slalom.
"He has a good chance," Sailer said. "I don't think there is anyone better. There is always a few at the same level, and then it depends on a little luck, but he looks good. He can win."
Ankeny said will pay more attention to his surroundings at the Whistler Cup this time around. He would like to be back on the hill in four years for the 2010 Olympics, which is being hosted by the city of Vancouver and the province of British Columbia.
Ankeny would be 19 years old if he qualified for the next Winter Olympics.
"It is definitely a goal of mine," Ankeny said, "and it would be a great accomplishment, but I don't know if it is really realistic. I'd only be 19."
He will be 23 years old for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
"He's on target for one of those," Sailer said. "At his age, he's on target. It has to be seen yet with how much work he puts into the summer and in the fall. He has to keep it together. He went to Europe last year and did some summer skiing. We'll see how he is going to do against international competition at the Whistler Cup because they are sending over some good Europeans at that age. It will be a good measuring stick."
Ankeny said he is not overly concerned with how he finishes this weekend.
"It is pretty much a learning experience for me," he said. "There are always expectations. My coach thinks that I could win the slalom, but I am just hoping for a top-five [finish]. Whistler is competitive, but for me it is mostly fun."
Reprinted with permission Sun Newspapers
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