Steamboat Springs, CO (Dec. 11) The Race to the Cup wrapped up  in Steamboat Springs on Friday night with Daniel Biveson of Sweden and Nico Sauerbreij of the Netherlands topping the podiums in the parallel giant slalom race.

Biveson was followed in the men's race by Chris Klug (Aspen, CO) who was second and Justin Reiter (Steamboat Springs, CO) closing out the podium in third.

"The afternoon qualifier was tough due to the setting sun and the lighting on the course not being able to take effect," said Klug. "The night run was perfect though and the visibility was great. I was a little nervous heading into competition because I broke my wrist the week before. So it was amazing to have a great run and end up on the podium."

The field was extremely competitive as the event was a qualifier for the three upcoming World Cups. The stakes were raised even higher due to the fact that those World Cups serve as qualifiers for the Olympics.

"I have been training at Steamboat for the last ten years so it was great to see such a strong international showing. I fortunately am already qualified for the next two World Cups but this was definitely a great way to build up momentum heading into January," added Reiter.

Other U.S. men to compete in the event were Tyler Jewell (Steamboat Springs, CO) who took fifth and Zachary Kay (Mount Shasta, CA) who finished 13th. Vic Wild (White Salmon, WA) rounded up the U.S. men finishing 15th.

Sauerbreij was followed on the women's podium by Isabell Laboeck of Germany taking second and Hilde-Ka Engeli of Norwary finishing in third.

Lindsay Lloyd (Centerville, UT) just missed the podium for the second time in the Race to the Cups series, ending the day in fourth.

Other U.S. women to compete were Erica Mueller (Steamboat Springs, CO) who took seventh, Michelle Gorgone (Boston) who was ninth, and Madelin Wiencke (White Bear Lake, MN) who ended the day at 15th.

The third leg of the Race to the Cup series will hit Mt. Bachelor in Orecon on Feb. 4-5. The final, which brings the circuit back to Steamboat, will wrap up the Race to the Cup tour on March 25-26.

RACE TO THE CUP
Steamboat Springs, CO – Dec 11, 2009
Parallel Giant Slalom

Men
1. Daniel Biveson, Sweden
2. Chris Klug, Aspen,CO
3. Justin Reiter, Steamboat Springs, CO

Women
1. Nico Sauerbreij, Netherlands
2. Isabell Laboeck, Germany
3. Hilde-Ka Engeli, Norway