Ski Team Has Confidence In Sugarloaf After Lift Malfunction

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine (CBS/AP) — The U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association says its confidence in Sugarloaf hasn't been shaken by a chairlift malfunction that hurt seven skiers.

Sugarloaf is hosting the U.S. Alpine Championships this week with top skiers like Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin.

USAA spokesman Tom Kelly says the problems with the King Pine lift won't have any impact on the event. He says the ski team is "confident" in Sugarloaf's ability to host the championships.

The chairlift began moving in reverse Saturday, prompting some skiers to jump. Sugarloaf says four people were transported from the resort in ambulances.

Three adults were treated at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington with non-life threatening injuries, according to a hospital spokesperson. Two patients were later discharged from the hospital. One was transferred to Central Maine Medical Center.

The chairlift malfunction is the second in five years to cause injuries at Sugarloaf and is renewing concerns about the maintenance and safety of older lifts.

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