CARRABASSETT VALLEY -- Lindsey Vonn, Stacey Cook and Caitlin Ciccone arrived at the U.S. Alpine Championships at Sugarloaf with first place goals.

Kristin Waddle, Emma Coffin and Katie Houser, each made the short trip up the road from Carrabassett Valley Academy for the competition. The three made their U.S. Alpine Championship debuts this week, and their goals were simpler.

"I was trying not to have any expectations. I was kind of surprised I made it here to begin with," Coffin, 18, said. "I just didn't want to come in last, really. I know that sounds awful, but that was really my only goal."

Coffin made the last day her best day, placing 27th in Wednesday's giant slalom. Coffin also took 30th in the slalom, 42nd in the downhill, and 36 in the Super G.

Waddle, 18, placed 30th in the giant slalom, capping a week in which she earned 22nd in the slalom, 22 in the downhill and 27th in the Super G.

"It's just a great experience to be skiing with all these top level skiers," Waddle said. "Just learning how the (U.S.) team skiers can carry themselves along, and how they prepare for each race."

Houser's best finish also came in Saturday's slalom, where she placed 25th. Houser, 17, also finished 34th in the downhill and 43rd in the Super G. She finished her week with a 36th place finish in the giant slalom.

"It was a surprise even to be here, so it's been really fun competing," Houser said. "Once we started competing, I wanted to start doing better. But I'm pretty happy with how I did. I made a few mistakes, but it's all the experience for me right now."

The three CVA girls were nervous entering their first national championships, but that they were skiing on a familiar mountain just a few miles from school made it easier.

"I was just trying to remember the fact that I've skied the course so many times," Coffin said following her first giant slalom run Coffin's first run time of one minute, 11.83 seconds placed her 28th. "It was definitely an advantage."

Taking part in Saturday night's parade and autograph session was a highlight of the week, too.

"That was really neat. I've never really signed autographs before," Waddle said.

"Watching all the big guns do it, then it's like, me? What? It's been neat... you have to keep reminding yourself 'I'm a competitor,' " Houser said.

Houser made it a point to not be star struck by the big name competitors, and focused on her racing.

"I feel like I've learned that it's just racing. I try not to look at the big girls and be like 'Oh my Gosh! That's Lindsey Vonn! She just won the World Cup overall!' I remember, it's just racing. It's just me," Houser said. "You've got to go for it and do as best as you can. You can't worry about people you're competing against. You've got to go as fast as you can."

Rather than be intimidated by the top skiers, the CVA rookies tried to learn as much as they could from the veterans.

"Just watching them helps you practice your own form. To see what really works, especially in the course," Coffin said. "Since you get to start in the back, you have time to watch them in the front. It just helps you figure out what works and what doesn't work."

Next time around, expect the goals of Waddle, Coffin and Houser to go up a notch. They're athletes, and happy to be there won't cut it again. The competition between the three will remain friendly, they said.

"We compete with each other every race we do. Every day it's someone's race. It could be any (of the) three of us on top. It's nice to have teammates in it, too," Houser said. "I feel like it would be a little lonely if you were in it by yourself. Especially like today. You're starting at the back of the pack, it's nice to have a few friends back there."

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com