Mick Osmundson to return to J2 Nationals in Sugarloaf, Maine

Picked to spend speed week in Aspen

Second year J2 (ages 15-17 years old) alpine racer and Crested Butte Mountain Sports Team athlete Mick Osmundson will make his second trip to the J2 Nationals in as many years.

Osmundson and teammate Cole Byron headed to the I-70 corridor for the Millennium Bank Colorado Junior Slalom at Beaver Creek Friday and Saturday, February 5-6.
Osmundson’s strength lies in the speed events but he managed to reel himself in for the technical event of slalom and post 13th- and 12th-place finishes. Byron continues to hone his skills at the J2 level, finishing in 34th place both days.
“They both finished both days which is challenging enough in slalom,” says CBMST director and head alpine coach Drew Cesati. “For Mick to stuff a couple results in there was one of his goals, though there’s certainly room for improvement in their slalom skiing.”
Osmundson punched his return ticket to the J2 Nationals as part of the Rocky Mountain Division (RMD) team. The Nationals will be in Sugarloaf, Maine March 3-10.
Furthermore, Osmundson was selected to join the RMD team headed to race in the NorAm Continental Cup in Aspen the week before. The Continental Cup week will include a Super Combined (one slalom, one Super G), a Super G and three downhill races. One of the downhill races is also the U.S. Nationals downhill championship race.
“It’s essentially the next tier down from the World Cup,” says Cesati.
While Osmundson will be one of the youngest skiers there, Cesati sees the Continental Cup as a learning experience and preparation for the J2 Nationals.
“We’re looking at this to get him some pace and really good training,” says Cesati. “It’s a good opportunity and the kid has got the touch. He has an innate ability to be fast in the speed disciplines.”