The top skier on the Plymouth State University women’s ski team competed against the best skiers in the country in March 2004 at the United States Ski Association (USSA) National Alpine Championships at Alyeska Resort in Alaska.

Senior Whitney Swaffield earned an invitation to the prestigious event based on her outstanding performance at the U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association’s (USCSA) National Championships in February at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine. A seven-time collegiate skiing All-American, Swaffield finished sixth in the giant slalom and 13th in the slalom, which gave her fifth place overall in the women’s individual alpine event at the collegiate nationals. She was also the top American female finisher, which earned her a spot in the USSA Nationals.

“It’s basically the national championships for skiing for the United States,” said veteran Plymouth State Ski Coach Kim Bownes. “It was so exciting for Whitney to get an invitation. It’s as if a Plymouth State tennis player or golfer got invited to play in the U.S. Open.” The USSA Nationals included members of the U.S. National Alpine Ski Team and world-class ski racers, such as New Hampshire native Bode Miller.

“I was in awe when I first got there,” said Swaffield, “just seeing all the U.S. Ski Team together. I was just standing there and watching. The starting area was pretty cool, too, with all the banners and everything. They treated all the racers pretty well. It was definitely a great experience.” She was accompanied on the trip by her father Bill Swaffield and PSU Assistant Ski Coach Dave Gyger.

Swaffield held her own against the top ski racers in the country. Last out of the starting gate in both races, she completed all four grueling runs (two slalom, two giant slalom), placing 47th out of 57 in the slalom and 38th out of 60 in the GS.

“The races were longer than I’m used to, so I was pretty tired,” said Swaffield. “The GS was so long, it was definitely the longest and hardest run I’ve ever done. But it was important to me that I finish every run, and I did.”

—KC

For more on Whitney Swaffield ( 24 Mb) see Plymouth Magazine, Summer 2002, page 25.