Rob Cone Wins World Pro Ski Tour Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival Cup.

With more than a year since dual pro racers last stood in the World Pro Ski Tour gates, they showed their appreciation to be back with an action-packed season opener at tonight’s City of Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival Cup. Rob Cone came away on top of the socially distanced podium, but the dominant racer of the past 2 seasons had to fight hard for the win.

Racing began this afternoon with a field that was smaller than normal; COVID-19 continues to limit travel for some athletes and other racers were physically limited from reaching the race due to road closures from the 14+ inches of snow that fell overnight. The race crew did an excellent job clearing the course for a safe race, with extra help by way of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club athletes who slipped the course throughout the day. Rather than qualifying to the normal Round of 32, athletes were able to take their two best times from four total runs and the top 16 progressed on to race under the lights.

By nightfall, the temperature lowered and the course set up to ski fast. Garret Driller, who delivered the swiftest qualifying time, eliminated newcomer Alex Baronos and Tour veteran Tucker Marshall, before finding himself in a tougher battle with 2020 Tito’s Rookie of the Year, Simon Breitfuss-Kammerlander. The two were separated in their first run by only .07 of a second, and Driller ultimately prevailed to face Robert Cone in the finals.

Rob Cone, 2020’s World Pro Ski Tour Champion after winning two of the three season races before the remainder of the season faced cancellation due to the pandemic, out-skiied his opponents with his strong, athletic style. The margins of his victories narrowed when he faced Driller, who knew he had to lay it all on the line - which he did when he reached a little too aggressively at the finish and skidded headfirst into the corral.

“I’m fine,” said Driller. “I took the fall to my shoulder and sprayed some powder for sure; it’s always harder in the end when your legs are tired but you want to push just a little more.”

Driller’s final push was not enough to prevail over Cone, who graciously accepted his victory over his fellow athletes.

“It’s great to be back with all of these guys,” said Cone. “We are all trying to get our feet under us after the long break, but we are excited to be here and get some racing in this season.”

The next scheduled race is Monday’s Moose Barrows’ Trophy (February 8th) as part of the WPST’s initiative to hold more races during the pandemic with less travel required for the athletes and WPST team.

Full race results available HERE.