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Elliott Takes Banked Slalom Crystal Globe; Schultz Second in Kühtai
By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
February, 2 2025
Noah Elliott shows off his Crystal Globe after his banked slalom win in Kühtai, Austria. (invisions.at).
On the second day of competition in Kühtai, Austria, Noah Elliott completed his perfect banked slalom season, winning all four events to take home the 2025 FIS Banked Slalom Crystal Globe.
The beautiful conditions from day one continued into the second day of competition, a great contrast to the past two World Cup stops where weather played a role in the results. Darian Haynes, Mike Schultz and Elliott advanced to the finals for the U.S. after finishing in the top four in their respective classifications in qualifying. In the women’s LL1/LL2 class, Kate Delson led the way in fifth, followed by Brenna Huckaby in ninth, Rebecca Johnston in 11th and Dennae Russell in 13th. In the men’s LL2 classification, Zach Miller finished fifth, securing a third-place finish in the overall banked slalom standings. Joe Pleban followed in 11th and Aleks Godowski ended the day 14th. Colby Fields finished 13th in men’s UL.
In the finals, Haynes was once again head-to-head with Anna Drobna (POL). Haynes put up a great fight but fell behind and finished the day fourth. Elliott and Schultz went head to head in the big final, fighting for first and second place. Elliott triumphed, earning his fourth banked slalom win of the season, which allowed him to earn the Overall Banked Slalom Crystal Globe. Schultz finished second, earning his fourth podium of the season.
The team is returning to the States for a training block before heading to Steamboat Springs for the first domestic World Cup since 2017.
Mike Schultz
In 2008, while competing in a snowcross race, Mike Schultz drifted off course, flying off his snowmobile and landing on his left leg. He sustained a severe compound fracture to his knee and, after multiple surgeries, had his leg amputated above the knee.
Noah Elliott
Noah learned about Para snowboarding through a camp he attended for children with cancer and was intriqued after meeting an adaptive athlete. This event helped him start his journey, and he moved from the Midwest to begin training consistently.
Elliott Wins, Huckaby Third in Kühtai
By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
February, 1 2025
Noah Elliott smiles on the podium in Kühtai, Austria after winning the banked slalom. (invisions.at).
The Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team athletes are back in the banks for the first time since November, and the wait did not disappoint, with Noah Elliott and Brenna Huckaby taking the top and third steps of the podium, respectively.
The conditions were picture-perfect in Kühtai, Austria, for the first of two banked slalom races. After two great days of training and a few days of joyriding, the team was ready to be back in competition mode. In qualifying, Huckaby, Elliott, and Darian Haynes were the three U.S. athletes to advance to finals, as only the top four finishers in each classification move on to finals in banked slalom. Mike Schultz finished fifth in the men’s LL1 class. Zach Miller led the LL2 category in seventh, followed by Joe Pleban in 13th and Aleks Godowski in 14th. Colby Fields finished 13th in men’s UL. On the women’s side, Peggy Martin finished fifth in women’s UL. Kate Delson ended the day eighth in the LL1/LL2 classification, Dennae Russell in 12th and Rebecca Johnston in 13th.
In the finals, Huckaby was paired against Yanhong Geng (CHN) and prevailed, winning the small final by over 10 seconds. Huckaby admitted that she was surprised she finished on the podium today after struggling with a few of the turns on the course, so the third place was a major win in her book. Haynes finished the day fourth after her battle with Anna Drobna (POL). After qualifying in the top spot, Elliott continued his dominance by winning by almost two seconds over his opponent Zhongwei Wu (CHN) in the big final, earning his third win and fifth podium of the season.
Tomorrow, the team takes on the second banked slalom event in Austria starting at 3:35 am ET. Follow along on FIS Live Timing.
Mike Schultz
In 2008, while competing in a snowcross race, Mike Schultz drifted off course, flying off his snowmobile and landing on his left leg. He sustained a severe compound fracture to his knee and, after multiple surgeries, had his leg amputated above the knee.
Noah Elliott
Noah learned about Para snowboarding through a camp he attended for children with cancer and was intriqued after meeting an adaptive athlete. This event helped him start his journey, and he moved from the Midwest to begin training consistently.
Snowboard Cross is Back; Huckaby on Top in Pyhä
By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 19 2025
Brenna Huckaby and Kate Delson smile on the podium in Pyhä, Finland. (Simo Vilhunen).
The start of the snowboard cross season was worth the wait for The Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team. After a weather cancelation on day one due to icy conditions, the athletes battled through thick, fluffy snow on day two to get the event off the ground. Despite the weather, the team had a fantastic day all around, with Brenna Huckaby and Kate Delson (Team Utah Snowboarding) landing on the podium in the women’s LL2 classification in first and third, respectively.
Also in the women’s LL2 class, Dennae Russell of Team Utah Snowboarding made the women’s small final, finishing eighth and Courtney Godfrey in ninth.
On the men’s side, Colby Fields from Adaptive Action Sports and the lone U.S. athlete in the UL category, ended the day 14th. Mike Schultz finished fifth in the LL1 classification, followed by Noah Elliott in sixth. This is Schultz's first snowboard cross event in over a year, and he said it "felt good to be back in the start gate." Schultz had a great time trial, finishing third, but made a mistake in the heats, which kept him off the podium. Aleks Godowski of Team Utah Snowboarding led the way for the men’s LL1 category, making the small final and finishing eighth, followed by Zach Miller in 10th and Joe Pleban in 15th.
Next week, the team is heading to Lenk, Switzerland for two more snowboard cross races Jan. 23-24.
Mike Schultz
In 2008, while competing in a snowcross race, Mike Schultz drifted off course, flying off his snowmobile and landing on his left leg. He sustained a severe compound fracture to his knee and, after multiple surgeries, had his leg amputated above the knee.
Noah Elliott
Noah learned about Para snowboarding through a camp he attended for children with cancer and was intriqued after meeting an adaptive athlete. This event helped him start his journey, and he moved from the Midwest to begin training consistently.
Elliott Strikes Again; First Banked Slalom of the Season in the Books
By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
December, 1 2024
Noah Elliott stands atop the podium in Landgraaf, Netherlands. (Brian Neff).
The Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team took on their first banked slalom World Cup of the season this week at the icebox in Landgraaf, Netherlands. Noah Elliott dominated again, finishing atop the podium two days in a row.
Landgraaf is the team's favorite stop on the circuit, kicking off the season for the last few years.
The women started the action on day one, where Darian Haynes (UL) finished fourth overall. Kate Delson (LL2) of Team Utah Snowboarding finished fifth, just missing out on finals.
On the men's side, Noah Elliott again showed his dominance following his two wins at this location last season, with another win in a stacked LL1 field. Mike Schultz also made the finals, finishing fourth. In the LL2 classification, Zach Miller added another podium finish to his resume, landing in third. Evan Strong finished just behind him in fifth, followed by Joe Pleban in 10th. Colby Fields from Adaptive Action Sports ended in seventh place in the UL classification.
The team continued to impress on the second day of competition. Haynes improved upon her fourth-place finish on day one with a third-place podium appearance. Delson finished ninth. Elliott went lights out to land atop the podium once again, his 18th career win. Also in the LL1 category, Schultz finished the day in eighth. In the men's LL2 class, Miller again led the way, finishing fourth, followed by Strong in sixth and Pleban in 10th.
Next, the team will return to the States for a training block before returning to Europe for their first snowboard cross World Cup of the season in Pyhä, Finland, Jan. 18-19.
Mike Schultz
In 2008, while competing in a snowcross race, Mike Schultz drifted off course, flying off his snowmobile and landing on his left leg. He sustained a severe compound fracture to his knee and, after multiple surgeries, had his leg amputated above the knee.
Noah Elliott
Noah learned about Para snowboarding through a camp he attended for children with cancer and was intriqued after meeting an adaptive athlete. This event helped him start his journey, and he moved from the Midwest to begin training consistently.
Para Snowboard Pipeline
The sport of Para Snowboard competition owes its success to the determination of a group of pioneering riders who in 2005 began their quest to have the sport included at the Paralympic Winter Games.