World Championship medalist Kirsten Clark went about her business quietly. Hailing from Raymond, Maine, the Sugarloaf veteran slowly and methodically assembled a stellar career that was marked by eight World Cup podiums with one win, thirteen U.S. titles and a World Championship silver medal in super G. A three-time Olympian, from 1998 to 2009, Clark strung together five straight U.S. downhill titles.

As accomplished as she was as an athlete, her behind the scenes leadership and the example she set with her amazing work ethic was inspirational to the team. That quiet leadership played a pivotal role in the growth of the women’s speed team, which is still being seen today. Lindsey Vonn said of her, “Clark was always someone I looked up to”.

Clark started racing at the age of seven, working her way up the ladder at Carrabassett Valley Academy. Her first breakthrough came in 1994 when she took gold and bronze in the Junior Olympics at Sugarloaf at the age of 17, establishing herself as a downhiller of the future.

Four years later, she was standing on a U.S. Championship podium, winning the downhill and starting a four-year streak that remains unbeaten. In 2001, she broke through with her first career World Cup podium with a win in Lenzerheide. Clark’s pinnacle moment came in 2003 with a silver in super G at the World Championships at St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Career Highlights:

-8 World Cup podiums, including 1 win
-12 U.S. Championship medals
-7 U.S. titles
-201 World Cup starts
-13 years on the U.S. Ski Team
-3 Olympic Teams