Diamond Peak’s J3 Ski Team wrapped up their 2008-9 technical season with strong results at the Far West Championships featuring two giant slaloms at Sugar Bowl, April 3 and 4, followed by the Emily Clothier Memorial slaloms at Heavenly, April 5 and 6.

First-year stand-out Ty Sprock showed his technical strength with an outstanding performance during the weekend, winning the gold in the slalom finale at Heavenly. Making his mark moving into next season, Sprock also stood out from his competition by securing a J3 silver and 4th in giant slalom and a podium silver day-one of slalom.

Capping a stellar season, Lila Lapanja won all four J3 titles in convincing fashion and was in the hunt for the overall at each competition, going 4-3-4-2 against all J2 through mid-racers (20 years and older). Teammate Julia Bjorkman had her first J3 podium finish, winning bronze in slalom.

J3s Sarah Wright and Kerrie Tonking of Diamond Peak also raced well, setting up their points for solid solid start positions going into the 2009-10 season. The team heads south now to Mammoth for the six final races of the season at the Far West Speed Championships featuring downhill, super-G and one giant slalom. For complete results, please visit www.fwskiing.org.

For information on the Emily Clothier Memorial Scholarship Fund, please visit www.emilyclothier.org.

Coach Vojko and his J3 girls
Heavenly Valley, 4/6/09