Riley Hunter, better known as Captain America in the ski racing community, is the best ski racer at Bellarmine, and continues to improve every season. He travels around the United States competing in rigorous events against tough competition. Riley has big plans for the future, and is looking forward to the upcoming season. Juggling schoolwork and ski racing can be challenging at times, however he continues to succeed in both of these arenas.

Riley skis at Crystal Mountain where he trains for his races.  His coach, Scott McCartney, is a two time Olympic downhiller who trains him in every ski racing event. Riley competes throughout the western United States, from Alaska to California. His best finish was at Sun Cup, a downhill race in Bend, Oregon where he tied for first. He has also competed for the Northwest region in the Junior Olympics.

There are four different events in ski racing; slalom, giant slalom, super G and downhill. Each event features  differing speed and turns. Slalom has the quickest turns, giant slalom focuses on medium sized round turns, super G and downhill are speed events where skiers can descend at up to 70 miles per hour with practically no turns. Riley’s best event is downhill.

Ski racing is one of the most dangerous sports there is. Hunter continues to ski however, aware of the danger that comes with it. He had the opportunity to go to Switzerland to improve and train with his team, and met some goats along the way.  His goal is to make the U-18 national at Sun Valley.  For those of you looking for his key to success on the slopes it is, in Riley’s words, “Look good to ski good.”