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Steamboat Springs — A group of more than 20 local skiers headed to Crested Butte this week with hopes of earning a berth to the Junior Olympic Championships, to be held in Steamboat Springs next month.

The 11- and 12-year-old skiers, who are all in the J-4 age class, will compete in slalom, giant slalom and super-G events this weekend. The skiers earning top finishes will qualify to compete in the J-4 championships, which are scheduled to take place in Steamboat March 19-30.

Out of the field of more than 250 racers at this weekend's event, only 85 will earn the right to race in Steamboat. The Central Division will hold a separate qualifier to determine which athletes from that division will compete.

"I expect at least 10 kids from our club to qualify for the Junior Olympics this week," coach Scott Wither said. "Our girls team is coming off of a great showing in Beaver Creek, so they have some momentum. Our boys have been strong all season."

Wither said Steamboat racers have consistently placed in the top 10 this season, which has raised the level of skiing throughout the entire program. Top racers include Taylor Coe, Ryan Coe, Jace Wirth, Hig Roberts, Ryan McConnell, Nelson Kane, Michael Lyons, Cassady Roberts, Mandi DeVos, Vikki Brown, Macy Margolin, Ashley Stamp and Charlotte Letson.

"Our athletes know that they are going up against the best in the division every time they come to training," Wither said. "If they can win a run in training, they know that they are probably one of the fastest skiers in the age group in the state of Colorado."

The coach is hoping that will give the group of J-4 racers he is taking to Crested Butte this weekend the confidence they need to earn Junior Olympic berths.

"This is the race where the kids feel the pressure," Wither said.