Snowbird, UT (Friday, February 3, 2006) - Despite eight inches of new snow on the course Wednesday morning, the Fourth Annual Subaru U.S. Skiercross Nationals went off without a hitch. Thirty-five of North America’s top skiercross competitors converged on Snowbird in pursuit of a $7,500 prize purse. Master course builder Corley Howard sent racers through one of the most technical runs he’s ever built — a 50-second combination of tables, fall-away turns, double- and triple-rollers, and rhythm sections, finishing off with a 50-foot gap jump over a brand new 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX.

Skiercross veteran Brett Buckles of Steamboat, Colo., dominated the women’s field, winning the time trials by over two seconds, and taking both semi-finals and finals—beating out last year’s winner Anik Demers of Sugarbowl, Calif., by a 40-foot margin. Jess McMillan of Jackson Hole, Wyo., came from behind in the finals to clench the third place spot.

“I was really disappointed with how I did at the X-games,” said Buckles, “so I came here ready to prove something. It feels great to come out on top, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the tour.”

Men’s competition was a tight battle all day between Chris Del Basco of Vail, Colo., and Davey Barr of Whistler, B.C. They took the top two spots in time trials — with Del Basco winning the trials by one-hundredth of a second — and went on to win each of their heats in qualifiers and semi-finals. The final round brought them head-to-head, with Barr taking an early lead, but almost losing the win on the final jump.

“He went a little too far right, allowing me to sneak in on the inside,” said Del Basco. “I thought I had him.” However, Barr was able to hold on, winning the finals by half of a ski length.

“I honestly didn’t think the competition would happen with all of the new snow, but the [event] crew and course were great,” Barr said. “I’m psyched how it all turned out.”

The Subaru U.S. Skiercross Nationals is the first stop on the Subaru U.S. Skiercross Series, which continues onto Steamboat, Colo., for the Subaru Rocky Mountain Skiercross Classic on February 11, and concludes at the Subaru North American Skiercross Championships, April 2, at Kirkwood, Calif.

Final Results
Subaru U.S. Skiercross Nationals
Snowbird, Utah - Feb. 1, 2006

Men
1. Davey Barr
2. Chris Del Basco
3. Kyle Sul
4. Jakub Fiala
5. Eric Archer
6. Justin Glick
7. Tahir Bisic
8. Lloyd Tucker

Women
1. Brett Buckles
2. Anik Demers
3. Jess McMillan
4. Anne Marie Lafrancois
5. Elisha Stephens
6. Alexis Bennett