Name game: Lauren Ross tips Laurenne Ross

LAUREN ROSS: A winning second run (Joel Page/Associated Press)

The US Alpine Championships wound up yesterday at Carrabassett Valley, Maine, with mixed skies and weather conditions, and a confusion of names.

In the final race, the women's giant slalom, Lauren Ross beat Laurenne Ross (no relation), thus coming all the way back from injuries that forced her to sit out last season.

For Lauren Ross, a native of Stowe, Vt., who at 26 is uncertain about her future with the US Ski Team, it all came down to a decision to go for it in the last minute of her season. Over a difficult set in the first run, she disappointed herself with a fifth place. Then, she said via cellphone, "I was definitely on fire in that [second] run. I had nothing to lose at that point, so I just went for it, took a more direct line through the technical section, and . . . I won."

Laurenne Ross, 19, who led after the first run, had to wait as 29 skiers took a shot at her time. Only Lauren was able to do it, in 2 minutes 15.22 seconds to Laurenne's 2:15.31. Though they are seven years apart in age, both women acknowledge that they often get confused in races by announcers and reporters, and that their records sometimes get mixed up.

In third place was Libby Ludlow, a Dartmouth College student who won the title last year and struggles with back and knee pain. "With those two together, everything just falls apart," she said. "I've had more injuries than anyone my age [26] should go through."

Over two runs, the racers experienced everything from blue sky and sun to clouds, fog, and even spitting snow bubbling off Bigelow Peak in the distance. But the snow, said Lauren Ross, "was just great. It held up well through all the races. But in that first run, I just couldn't get in the rhythm of the course."

The Narrow Gauge trail keeps racers shifting gears as the upper flats fall into a steep lefthand bend, and there, Lauren Ross thought, she may have won.

"It was such a mental challege, and when I got to the headwall, I just punched it, took a direct line, and pulled it off," she said. "But I'm not sure if it's enough to qualify me for the Ski Team next year. We'll see. At least the coaches know I can do it."

For Laurenne Ross, who wished her namesake well, the key to her future is consistency. Though she has had some good results in Noram this season, there were several disappointing ones.

"I've been inconsistent," she said. "I need to work my way up. Starting back in the 20s or 30s, it's hard to get your nose in, but I'm working my way up."