Crans-Montana, Switzerland – Steamboat Springs, Colo.’s Anna Marno was the top U.S. finisher in 17th in Tuesday’s downhill at the FIS Junior World Alpine Ski Championships in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.nMarno put down a solid run with a time of 1:34:21 to lead the charge for the U.S. women. Her time was fast enough to put her into the top 20. Marno was joined by her teammates Abigail Ghent of Gypsum, Colo., who finished 25th and Abby Fucigina of Hopkinton, Mass., in 38th.

The gold medal went to Lotte Smiseth Sejersted of Norway with a solid time of 1:32:11. The silver medal went to Wendy Holdener of Switzerland with a time of 1:32:45 followed by the bronze medalist, Cornelia Huetter of Austria, not far behind with a time of 1:32:80.

Sarah Freeman got Canada’s women off to a solid start by finishing ninth. The 19-year-old, of Pincher Creek, Alberta, is making her first appearance at the Worlds and finished in a time of 1:33.67.

“I’m happy with my downhill today,” Freeman said. “The track was way faster today than the last two days. The fastest time is two seconds faster, so it’s pretty notable.”

Two other Canadians took part in the downhill race, with Julia Roth, of Waterloo, Ontario, finishing 28th and Canadian Prospect Group athlete Madison McLeish, of Canmore, Alberta, who finished 40th.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Junior World Alpine Ski Championships
Crans-Montana, Switzerland – Feb. 1, 2011
Women’s Downhill

Gold: Lotte Smiseth Sejersted, Norway, 1:32:11
Silver: Wendy Holdener, Switzerland, 1:32:45
Bronze: Cornelia Huetter, Austria, 1:32:80