24 Hours of Aspen

William Besse entering Kleenex Corner. photo: Michael Brands

Aspen/Snowmass, Colo. - After 24 hours, 63 laps, 205,821 vertical feet (62,748 meters) Casey Puckett of Aspen, Colorado, won the men's division in the 14th Annual Audi 24 Hours of Aspen walking away with the $10,000 first prize. Puckett took a two second lead on the first lap and finished 17 seconds ahead of Michael Brunner of Germany. Winning the women's division was Aleisha Cline of Canada, claiming victory by 38 seconds over Aspen local Asia Jenkins. As champions of the 14th Annual 24 Hours of Aspen, Puckett and Cline now proudly own the title of the "world's toughest skiers."

Puckett won with a total time on snow of 2:18:46 (two hours, 18 minutes and 46 seconds) completing 63 laps. Puckett also broke the course record with a time of two minutes eight seconds on the fifth run.

The defending men's champion Michael Brunner of Germany took second place overall with a time of 2:19.03 (two hours, 19 minutes and three seconds). Placing third was William Besse of Switzerland with a time of 2:19.56 (two hours, 19 minutes and 56 seconds).