Skiers In Second At Own Invitational

January 05, 2008 | Skiing

CU Ski Invitational Results (Day 1)Men's Giant Slalom (FIS Official Results)Women's Giant Slalom (FIS Official Results)

By: CUBuffs.com

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS - The University of Colorado ski team opened its 2008 season here Saturday with four top 10 finishes in giant slalom competition as the Buffaloes are second after two events of the 14th Annual Laura Sharpe Flood Memorial/CU Invitational.

Denver leads with 152 points, followed by Colorado (132), with New Mexico and Utah tied for third (128) and Nevada a distant fifth (106). This is the first time since 1994 that the defending national champion is not from the west, though DU was the '07 runner-up with the Buffs taking third. There was also no national coaches poll done this winter, but it is widely regarded that the Buffs and Pioneers are again top contenders, as also are the Lobos and Utes.

This is the first time since the sport went coed in 1983 and just the third time ever that Colorado is hosting the first meet of the season; mainly Utah, Montana State and Alaska-Anchorage have rotated their invitationals in the opening slot in the past.

The area has been bombarded with snowfall, and the winds whipped up at times Saturday to make things challenging. While a blizzard never materialized, visibility wasn't at a premium and the See Me Trail on Mount Werner was fairly soft by the end of the day.

In the women's giant slalom, Denver junior Jenny Tank easily captured honors with a two-run time of 1:53.46, with New Mexico sophomore Malin Hemmingson second in 1:55.31 and Colorado senior Lucie Zikova a shade back in third in 1:55.34. Tank, starting in the ninth position, had just over a full-second lead after her morning run of 54.64, and for good measure she posted the afternoon's fastest time as well.

CU freshman Katie Hartman finished fifth in her first collegiate race, posting a time of 1:56.31, with senior Rachel Roosevelt claiming seventh in 1:56.35. Junior Lisa Perricone grabbed 13th place in 1:58.01. Colorado won the team competition with 78 points, edging the Pioneers by two and Utah by eight.

"The conditions were nice, but the snow a little soft and moist in some areas, but overall, it wasn't bad especially for the girls since we went first," Zikova said. "I felt good with how I did. My first run I was a little conservative, and that didn't necessarily pay off well on this hill (See Me run on Mount Werner). On the second (run), I just went for it and that turned out to be better on this hill because it's flat."

"It feels good to win," Tank said. "Being the first race, it gives me confidence for the rest of the season. I really tried not to go too hard. I'm pretty confident about the GS, I don't have to think as much. I just tried to stay nice and easy."

Denver completed the individual sweep when junior John Buchar won a very competitive men's GS late Saturday afternoon. His winning time of 1:52.51 topped New Mexico's Christoffer Norrell (1:52.70), as just over four seconds separated the top 29 finishers in the event, including just two seconds difference between fourth and 22nd place. DU, with three finishers in the top 12, won the men's GS with 76 points, topping Nevada by two and New Mexico by four.

Colorado was led by sophomore Stefan Hughes, who finished seventh overall in a 1:53.60 clocking; another soph, Drew Roberts, was CU's next best finisher, taking 15th in 1:54.31, with junior Tony Cesolini 20th in 1:54.99.

"The conditions weren't that bad, but the snow was certainly softer than we would have liked," Hughes said. "While we've had better days in regard to the weather, we went into it expecting worse. Today was not my best skiing, but I'm psyched to have this result under my belt since it's so early in the season. As a team, we would have liked to have done better, but it's only the first day and (Sunday) is our strongest event (slalom)."

"In collegiate racing, these conditions are common, but so far, we're better off than last year," Buchar said. "It wasn't that great, but wasn't that bad, either. It's always nice to start with a win and be able to go into the season with a lot of confidence."

"For the college circuit, the snow was soft,' CU head coach Richard Rokos said. "Especially with the guys going after the girls in both rounds, it makes it even more difficult for them. We saw a lot of increasing times for the top 30, and they all finished in a bundle. Time-wise, it was a tight race overall. The girls were excellent, and getting first place (as a team) out of the gate is great. The guys skied within our expectations, but we still have a long way to go. Slalom is our stronger event, especially for the guys, but we expect the girls to continue to do well tomorrow and even win again.

"The slalom could be the magic formula for our team."

It was the last time the Buffs hosted a meet at Steamboat, as the Buffs used the slalom in the 2006 NCAA Championships to take over the lead before cruising to the title. As was the case two years ago, the slalom will start at dusk and finish at night, with the competition beginning at 4 p.m.

The cross country portion of the meet will take place in two weeks (Jan. 19-20) at Snow Mountain Ranch outside of Winter Park.

CU Invitational Team Scores?1. Denver 152; 2. Colorado 132; 3. (tie) New Mexico and Utah 128; 5. Nevada 106; 6. Alaska-Anchorage 104; 7. Montana State 80; 8. Western State 57; 9. Whitman 22.