Queenstown’s Adam Barwood Wins Prestigious North American Slalom Title

Jackson Hole, WY (24 February 2012) – New Zealand Ski Team representative nineteen-year-old Adam Barwood  of Queenstown is continuing to carve his niche on the North American race circuit this season, finishing on top of the podium in the slalom at the Wild West Classic Elite FIS series at Snow King Jackson Hole this week, in a demanding and highly competitive race with a large attrition rate.

Slalom podium at Wild West Classic Elite FIS Series (left to right): James Cleason (USA), Adam Barwood (NZL) and Ryan Chase (USA)

Barwood had the fastest first run in the 128-strong field of 51.12 to finish with a combined time of 1.44.70 ahead of James Cleason (USA) in 1.44.89 and Ryan Chase (USA) in 1.44.97. New Zealand’s Finlay Neeson  19 (Oakura) took out fourth equal in 1.45.63.

Only 46 athletes completed the course underlining its challenging nature. Earlier in the series Barwood was sixth in slalom and fourth and fifth respectively in the two giant slaloms, while Neeson finished tenth and 16th in the giant slaloms.

Barwood and Neeson are members of the US based Sugar Bowl Academy and Head Coach Guenther Birgmann says Barwood out skied the top USA juniors in the slalom to take the title, scoring a 37.53 result, just outside his current slalom points.

“Jackson Hole is Adam’s favourite race venue and his performance here and during the other events has earned him a lot of respect on the North American race circuit.”

Adam Barwood showing good form in his race for the title

Birgmann says Barwood has been in the top junior rank in every race he has started in so far this Northern Hemisphere season.

“Many elite athletes who race in NCAA, Nor-Am and World Cup events have started in these races and Adam has showed how competitive he already is at this level.  His most significant strength is his consistency  having finished all races he has started in and scoring in the 30 FIS point range in ten of them.  This season he has also scored his first Nor-Am points at Vail in Colorado where there were more than ten World Cup athletes competing.”