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Thomas Vonn raced to his first national title, winning the men.s giant slalom in the final event of the 2002 Chevy Truck U.S. Alpine Championships.

"I'm really psyched to finally get one under my belt," Vonn, of Newburgh, NY, said. "I've had some chances in the past and it's nice to finally execute today and get it."

Vonn raced to a first-run lead and held on to finish with a combined winning time of 1:47.41. Tom Rothrock, of Cashmere, WA, was 2nd at 1:47.65, followed by Erik Schlopy, Park City, UT, in 3rd at 1:47.94.

Steven Nyman, Park City, UT, the 2002 Junior World Slalom Champion, was the top junior, finishing 9th overall at 1:49.74 after starting No. 49 in the first run.

The day also marked the final chapter in a 13-year U.S. Ski Team career for Paul Casey Puckett, Aspen, CO, who raced his final event - and just bear-ly made it across the finish line, much to the delight of the crowd.

"I actually wanted to wear a gorilla suit. That was Bode's suggestion because I've been known to do gorilla GS turns in my day," said Puckett, who wore the Squaw Valley Children's Ski School mascot costume on his final run. "But I wasn't able to make it to Reno to find a gorilla suit so Tamara McKinney helped me out and found the KT Bear suit over at the children's center. So I wore the bear. It was a good laugh and a lot of fun."

"He's a total character, and he will totally be missed," Vonn said of Puckett. "We all love Casey and it was sweet to see him ski in the bear suit today. That fit his character nicely. But we are all going to miss him, absolutely."

Puckett entered his final race as the defending U.S. giant slalom champion He won that title in Jackson Hole two years ago, last year's event was cancelled, along with the super G crown. In all, he reties as a five-time U.S. champion and leaves a program that has become one of the best in the world.

A former junior world slalom champion himself, Puckett says the tools are there for Nyman and the rest of the young members of the team to become the best in the world.

"(Nyman) is so lucky because he is coming into a program that is well established and has great leaders," Puckett said. "All these younger guys that are coming up are really lucky and the only advice that I would give them is to enjoy it, kick butt and listen to the coaches."

— Courtesy US Ski Team