MEIRINGEN-HASLIBERG, Switzerland (March 14) - Caitlin Ciccone (Littleton, NH) put down a career-best performance Sunday, finishing 15th during a World Cup ski cross competition in Switzerland.

"Caitlin did awesome today. She finally got through the first round battle. She was able to get out of the start pretty much even, and that had been her weakness all year," U.S. Ski Cross Head Coach Tyler Shepherd said. "That was a huge break in her skiing and something to certainly end the year well on.  She had a solid day of skiing and 15th was a great finish for her."

According to Shepherd, the course was not ideal for passing, and Ciccone's success came through her start and making the best of a tricky first turn.

"It was not a course that allowed a lot of passing opportunity because it was really tight and had a ton of really quick turns," Shepherd said. "Going into the first turn there was a ton of contact and she came out in the best way she could, tucked in behind Ophelie David [France] and was able to maintain the transfer position the whole way down"

Sweden's Anna Holmlund won the women's race, followed in second by Ophelie David and Norway's Marte Hoeie Gjefsen in third.

In the men's event, John Teller (Mammoth Lakes, CA) was back at the helm for the U.S. in 21st.

"We're excited about John. He had the results he wanted today. He's gaining more confidence," Shepherd said. "Unfortunately he didn't get on the right side of it out of the start and couldn't make anything happen on this course, but all in all it was a good try."

Michael Schmid of Switzerland won the men's race, followed by Audun Groenvold of Norway in second and Canada's Chris DelBosco in third.

The ski cross athletes now move to Sierra Nevada, Spain, to finish out the season on March 20.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2010 FIS FREESTYLE WORLD CUP
Meiringen-Hasliberg, Switzerland - March 14, 2010
Ski Cross

Men
1. Michael Schmid, Switzerland
2. Audun Groenvold, Norway
3. Chris DelBosco, Canada
4. Stanley Hayer, Canada
5. Andreas Steffen, Switzerland
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21. John Teller, Mammoth Lakes, CA
47. Biche Rudigoz, Sun Valley, ID
50. Patrick Duran, Fayston, VT

Women
1. Anna Holmlund, Sweden
2. Ophelie David, France
3. Marte Hoeie Gjefsen, Norway
4. Katrin Mueller, Switzerland
5. Ashleigh McIvor, Canada
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15. Caitlin Ciccone, Littleton, NH
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