While you’re busy representing two schools — existing independently for the final time — why not win two championships?

Lindsey Jacques didn’t merely sweep the Class C slalom and giant slalom titles during February school vacation week at Saddleback Mountain.

She was in a league of her own, dominating the technical slalom event by almost three seconds and ruling the speedy giant slalom by more than four.

“That was the most memorable part of the season,” Jacques said.

Her unforgettable performance on the biggest stage was a deciding factor, giving Jacques the slightest edge in the race to one more honor: Sun Journal Girls’ Alpine Skier of the Year.

Jacques would be the first to agree that you couldn’t go wrong choosing either of Mt. Abram High School’s Luce sisters — junior Erin or freshman Elise — for that distinction.

“We’ve skied against each other for a long time,” Jacques said. “We’re always pushing each other. It’s good, friendly competition.”

The Luces split their Class B championship races while Jacques turned both of hers into a personal highlight film.

Jacques stated her case in head-to-head competition, as well. She led the first run of the Mountain Valley Conference slalom and probably was on her way to victory before a second-run fall relegated her to sixth.

Just as World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn is renowned for skiing on the edge, this Lindsey is a bit of a daredevil. Jacques acknowledged that the state competition represented the first races she had finished without a fall in two weeks.

“Both events I try to chill, not get overexcited or overly nervous,” Jacques said. “My team really gives me a lot of support.”

Jacques has finished on the podium in all six career appearances at states. She was second in slalom and third in GS as a freshman.

She nearly pulled off the sweep at Lonesome Pines in Fort Kent as a sophomore, winning gold in slalom and silver in GS.

Livermore Falls and Jay will combine sports teams in 2011-12 in advance of a full-fledged merger of the schools into RSU 73.

Skiing has been on the cutting edge of that consolidation, already training and competing together.

“It would be weird if we weren’t together. It wouldn’t be right,” Jacques said. “Most of us have been skiing together at Spruce our whole lives. To mix it up when we get to high school just seems normal.”

Jacques will be a senior at the still-to-be-christened new school next year.

In addition to her goal of a repeat as a dual Class C champion, she hopes for a better showing at the Eastern High School Championships.

Two falls in the March showcase at Cannon Mountain — one in training, the second in the opening run of slalom — derailed what were realistic hopes of a top-10 result.

“Other than that, I’ll do a lot of USSA racing and hopefully ski in college,” Jacques said. “I would love to.”

koakes@sunjournal.com

First team

Heather Farrington, Mt. Blue

Marisa Hanning, Oxford Hills

Margot Heraud, Mt. Blue

Lindsey Jacques, Livermore Falls

Allarie Lever, Edward Little

Elise Luce, Mt. Abram

Erin Luce, Mt. Abram

Second team

Courtney Carlson, Mountain Valley

Phoebe Chamberlain, Edward Little

Abby Jansen, St. Dom’s

Morgan Lee, Telstar

Kera Miller, Mountain Valley

Eliza Richard, Mt. Blue

Emily Listowich, Mt. Abram

Copy the Story Link