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In storybook fashion, Olympian and local favorite Marco Sullivan of Squaw Valley, skiing on the No. 1 spot, outraced an impending blizzard Friday to win his first national title, capturing the men's super G crown as the Chevy Truck U.S. Alpine Championships opened in a snowstorm.

"I had the home hill advantage today and I think I took advantage of it. It came out okay," the soft-spoken but gregarious Sullivan said. He had the best U.S. finish in the Olympic downhill a month ago, finishing 9th.

By the end of the race, the Lake Tahoe region was in a full-on blizzard, receiving several inches of new snow per hour.

Sullivan's victory completed a sweep by Tahoe-area natives. Caroline Lalive, who lives in Steamboat Springs, CO, but was born in nearby Truckee, CA, and skied locally until she was 12, won the women's super G in the morning.

With U.S. Ski Team downhill/super G leaders Daron Rahlves, of Sugar Bowl, CA, the world super G champion, and Chad Fleischer, of Vail, CO, sidelined by injuries, Sullivan skied first and took advantage of his opportunity. His winning time was an unofficial 59.14 seconds with junior TJ Lanning of Park City, Utah, also taking advantage of an early break in the weather that benefited skiers with start numbers in the 20s, earning the silver medal in 59.26. Steve Nyman, of Sundance, UT, the world junior slalom champion and combined silver medalist, took 3rd in 59.37.

"It's awesome being home. It's cool," Sullivan said. "I think I know about 80 percent of the people here. Just having all my friends here, cheering me on, makes it a little sweeter.

"Top 10 in the Olympics gave me a lot of confidence in my skiing. I've just been skiing well the last few months and it came together here today."

Sullivan added, "I had the No. 1 bib. I was a little worried because we had the fresh snow. I was a little slow at the top with the accumulation of snow and trying to push through it. But I knew the hill well enough where people couldn't see the track and I knew it was there. I was skiing confidently and having a good run."

World champ Rahlves watched on crutches. "I really wish my buddy Daron was racing so we could have had a real Tahoe shootout, but he'll be back next year and I wish him well." Rahlves, who watched from the bottom of the hill, re-injured a hip freeskiing earlier in the week and is done for the season.

The championships take a break Saturday for the eighth Chevy Truck Return of the Champions with Olympic and World Championships medalists joining current Ski Team racers and top development skiers in a gentle giant slalom. Racing resumes Sunday with men's and women's slaloms at Sugar Bowl before returning to Squaw Valley Monday and Tuesday for the giant slalom title races.

— Courtesy US Ski Team