Sam Sweetser of Cumblerland, Maine took first place for the U.S. after the Canadians swept the top four spots of the North American Alpine SuperG and Downhill (NorAM) series at Mammoth Mountain in California on Thursday.

The 24-year old downhill racer ended up a notch closer to the podium, when he finished the Wednesday SuperG in seventh place.

Sam, speaking on his cell phone from the finish arena on Wednesday spoke with his dad, Greg Sweetser, Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association said that he was pleased with the day's race. "This was my best race of the year and really helps my world ranking," he said.

According to the press release, Sam said that it was satisfying to beat all of the U.S. Ski Team members who are there. "I am one of the few independent racers on the speed circuit. Where the U.S. Team supports their racers with technicians, I carry my own bags, tune my own skis and make my own travel arrangements. I am skiing well and I look forward to the U.S. National Alpine Championships to be held at Alyeska Ski Resort in Alaska."

Sweetser said that his fifth place finish at last year's U.S. Alpine National Championships at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine was satisfying, but he just missed qualifying for the U.S. Ski Team. "In addition to juggling the race schedule, I am enrolled at Westminster College in Salt Lake, so officially I have no more free time, but I love racing, so it is worth the sacrifice." The next NorAM series will be the finals in March, hosted by Whiteface Ski Area in New York.

The Carrabassett Valley Academy graduate grew up on the slopes of Saddleback Mountain in Maine before attending CVA at Sugarloaf. He currently lives in Park City. His fifth place finish at the 2008 U.S. National Alpine Championships was the best showing of a Maine make skier since Karl Anderson in the 1970s.

Good luck Sam!

Ski and ride safely. Use your head and don't forget to wear a helmet.