By USSA

HAFJELL, Norway — River Radamus (Edwards, Colo.) took the biggest victory of his young career, winning the men’s super G at the Youth Olympic Winter Games Saturday.

“The course was pretty technical today,” said Radamus. “There were a couple of really key spots that I think I nailed. I didn’t really go in with any sort of expectations. I knew that if I executed my lines and skied the way I wanted to, I would have a chance, but this is definitely a welcome surprise.”

Competing on the Hafjell, Olympic Slope, Radamus edged out Italy’s Pietro Canzio for the gold by 0.03 seconds. Austria’s Manuel Traninger won the bronze. Radamus, who just turned 18 on Friday, is the current U.S Junior National slalom champion.

“The entire experience here has been really awe-inspiring and something I think I’ll always remember,” said Radamus. “The fact that I got to go out and win a medal is something that I don’t think I’ll ever forget and something that I’ll be very proud of for a long time.”

Radamus grew up in ski racing, with his father Aldo a former U.S. Ski Team coach and longtime head of Ski & Snowboard Club Vail. Radamus moved up through the alpine development pipeline in the Vail club and into the USSA’s National Training Group program. He also attended the USSA TEAM Academy, the U.S. Ski Team’s program for high school aged athletes. He graduated from the academy last year at the same time he was named to the U.S. Ski Team’s D team.

“This is a great result by River on a big stage against an international field of the best athletes his age,” said USSA Alpine Development Director Chip Knight. “It’s shows our next generation is on track against the best in the world.”

In the women’s super G, 16-year-old Keely Cashman (Squaw Valley) finished 10th. Austria won the gold and silver with Nadine Fest and Julia Scheib going 1-2. Switzerland’s Aline Danioth won the bronze.

Modeled after the Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games debuted its winter event in 2012 at Innsbruck, Austria. Held every four years, the Youth Olympic Winter Games feature more than 1,100 athletes aged 15 to 18, from around the world. Alpine events will include slalom, giant slalom, super G, downhill and alpine combined. The Games continue through Feb. 21.