Los Alamos Ski Racing Club dominates the podium in the U18+ men’s Super-G race! Hirotaka Mertes (top center) claims 1st place, Liam Brown (top right) takes 2nd, and Michael Bane (top left) secures 3rd. A thrilling sweep for LASRC! Photo by Tim Brown
Los Alamos Ski Racing Club racer Liam Brown powers through a Super-G turn with precision and speed. Photo by Michelle Mosby
By KEVIN MERTES
Los Alamos Ski Racing Club
The Los Alamos Ski Racing Club (LASRC) stormed the slopes of Purgatory, Colorado, leaving a trail of victory in its wake! Ten youth alpine ski racers made their mark in the first event of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard (USSA) Rocky Mountain Southern Series, held from Jan. 9-12 and hosted by the Durango Winter Sports Club. Under the expert guidance of head coach Lisa Kimura and coach Kevin Mertes, LASRC racers clinched an impressive 11 medals, including 2 golds and 5 silvers, in the high-speed Super-G (SG) and technically demanding Giant Slalom (GS) races.
Super-G Races: Speed and Precision Rule the Slopes
The first SG race saw a powerhouse performance from U18+ men as Hirotaka Mertes (sophomore, Los Alamos High School) dominated with a 1st-place finish, while Michael Bane (senior, Los Alamos High School) charged into 2nd place, and Liam Brown (junior, St. Pius X High School, Albuquerque) secured a strong 4th-place finish.
Among the U16 men, Noah Bane (sophomore, Los Alamos High School) showcased his speed with a 3rd-place finish. Meanwhile, Micah Brown (6th grade, St. Pius X School, Albuquerque) held his ground in the U14 men category, placing 5th. The U14 women also put up a solid fight, with Izel Garcia-Balkey (7th grade, Albuquerque) finishing 14th and Takara Mertes (6th grade, Mountain Elementary School) landing in 17th place.
The second SG race turned into a full-blown LASRC sweep in the U18+ men category, with Hirotaka Mertes again claiming 1st, followed by Liam Brown (2nd), Michael Bane (3rd), and Jack Harris (6th, sophomore, Los Alamos High School). Noah Bane powered through to 2nd place in the U16 men, while Micah Brown fought hard for 6th place in the U14 men. In the U14 women, Takara Mertes took 18th, while Izel Garcia-Balkey secured 20th.
Giant Slalom Battles: Strength and Technique on Display
On Day 1 of the GS races, LASRC continued its podium streak. In U18+ men, Hirotaka Mertes powered his way to 2nd place, with Michael Bane following closely behind in 3rd, and Elliot Gaunt (sophomore, Los Alamos High School) securing 6th. Noah Bane once again shined, capturing 2nd place in U16 men. Meanwhile, Micah Brown placed 7th in U14 men, while Izel Garcia-Balkey and Takara Mertes took 14th and 15th place, respectively, in U14 women.
Day 2 of GS proved to be another thrilling event. In U18+ men, Michael Bane claimed 3rd, with Liam Brown (4th), Hirotaka Mertes (5th), Jack Harris (6th), and Elliot Gaunt (9th) stacking up impressive finishes. Micah Brown held 7th place in U14 men, while Takara Mertes battled to 14th place in U14 women. Mitchell Honig (3rd grade, Mountain Elementary School), competing in U10 men, placed 11th.
What’s Next for LASRC?
The action doesn’t stop here! LASRC will head to Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff Feb. 1-2 for slalom races hosted by the Flagstaff Ski & Snowboard Team. The season culminates at the USSA Rocky Mountain Southern Series Championship, held at Taos Ski Valley March 22-23, where LASRC racers will aim to conquer the competition once again.
But that’s not all—LASRC will host fun races at Pajarito in March as part of Pine Cup and Skiesta, inviting all ski enthusiasts to join in the excitement.
About LASRC
The Los Alamos Ski Racing Club (LASRC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, run primarily by dedicated volunteers. It provides young athletes from Los Alamos and neighboring communities with the opportunity to develop their ski racing skills in a competitive, yet fun and supportive environment—all at a relatively low cost. Proudly calling Pajarito Mountain home, LASRC continues to nurture the next generation of alpine ski champions.
For more information, visit here.
Los Alamos Ski Racing Club racer Noah Bane (top right) celebrates his impressive second-place finish in the U16 men’s Super-G race at Purgatory Resort. Photo by Tim Brown
Los Alamos Ski Racing Club racer Jack Harris charges through a GS gate with power and precision. Photo by Michelle Mosby
Los Alamos Ski Racing Club racers Liam Brown, Elliot Gaunt, Michael Bane, and Micah Brown (left to right) share a victorious moment, smiling at the finish line after a stellar performance. Photo by Tim Brown
Los Alamos Ski Racing Club U10 racer Mitchell Honig carves through a GS turn with determination. Photo by Michelle Mosby
Los Alamos Ski Racing Club racers Izel Garcia-Balkey (left) and Takara Mertes (right) share s miles at the mountain base, celebrating a great day on the slopes! Photo by Alicia Garcia-Lopez
