2002 US Alpine Championships at Squaw Valley USA on MountainZone.com

Caroline Lalive returned to her roots at Squaw Valley to take the U.S. super G title today at the 2002 Chevy Truck U.S. Alpine Championships. Lalive, coming off the best U.S. women's season-long super G World Cup finish in history, finished just ahead of Jonna Mendes of Heavenly, CA, with local favorite Julia Mancuso, of Olympic Valley, CA, 3rd, making it al all-Tahoe podium.

"It's so great to be back," said Lalive, of Steamboat Springs, CO, who left Squaw Valley for Colorado when she was 12. "I have tons of friends here and I keep seeing people. They are all so supportive telling me they've been following me all these years."

Lalive was first out of the gate in what eventually turned out to be a windy, cold race, and recorded the fastest time of the day.

Teammate Kirsten Clark (Raymond, ME), who now lives in the Lake Tahoe area, was skiing just off Lalive's pace through the first two intermediate times before crashing hard three gates from the finish. "I just caught an edge, but boy, did I eat it!" said Clark, who appeared to be uninjured.

Lalive covered Olympic Lady Downhill Course in :58.83, .25 seconds ahead of Mendes. Mancuso, who came home with three World Junior titles, was a second-and-a-half behind Mendes. Katie Monahan of Aspen, CO, was 4th with Britain's Chimene Alcott 5th.

Lalive's title came on the heels of a strong season-ending finish. She was 2nd in the World Cup downhill finals a week earlier, and wrapped up the World Cup super G season in 6th, the best U.S. women's finish ever. She carried that momentum here to Squaw Valley, winning a FIS super G on the same hill two days earlier.

"I felt like I skied pretty well," said Lalive. "I felt a little conservative in the middle section. The snow was perfect today — all in all a good run for me.

"It was funny today. I was still pretty nervous. I'm just constantly trying to remind myself of my focus and to just relax and enjoy it," she said. "I'm pretty content with the way my season ended up and this is just a bonus."

Lalive, generally considered to be the best U.S. skier overall, has seen most of her success this season in the speed events, a reversal from the past.

"I did a speed camp last summer, which I've never done before," said Lalive. "The season started strong for me in Lake Louise (super G podium) in the speed events and it seemed like the confidence just carried over there. But also the coaches on the speed side have been incredibly supportive and encouraging. I felt like they really nurtured my confidence. It was kind of a building thing the last few years and this season I felt like I got to the place I wanted to be."

Lalive will now be the top contender for the combined, which will take the super G and slalom times. The slaloms are set for Sunday at nearby Sugar Bowl Resort, with the women's giant slalom wrapping up the season Monday. Slalom specialist Sarah Schleper (Vail, CO) will also be a factor in the combined. Schleper finished 11th in the super G, about three seconds back

"I think it's the first time in a long time I haven't wanted the season to end!" said Lalive. "It's a great way to finish. It's good motivation going into next season."

— Courtesy US Ski Team