Colorado University Athletics
Rivas Named Ski Racing Magazine Skier of the Year
April 19, 2011 | Skiing
BOULDER - University of Colorado senior Gabriel Rivas on Tuesday was named Ski Racing MagazineGÇÖs male collegiate alpine skier of the year.
The St. Jean De Maurienne, France, native and graduating senior earned the award for his performances when it mattered most, the RMISA Championships and NCAA Championships.
The article details a season-long battle between Rivas and University of Denver skier Seppi Stiegler. Stiegler won a gold medal at the World University Games and finished third in the slalom at U.S. Nationals, while Rivas finished third overall in the NorAm slalom standings despite missing some of the big races on that circuit. Most notably, Rivas scored a 8.36-point race in January winning at Val St. Come and then an astonishing 6.0 point race in his slalom win at the NorAm finals where he bested a handful of North AmericaGÇÖs fastest World Cup skiers.
The final decision was based on the two skierGÇÖs performances when it mattered most, at the RMISA and NCAA Championships. Rivas was at his best closing out his career, as he earned two podium appearances at the RMISA Championships and then took a second place and sixth place at NCAA Championships, all while skiing cautiously ensuring he finished the races as the Buffs won both team championships.
Rivas won the NCAA individual championship in 2009 in the slalom, but despite that race he enjoyed his best season for the Buffaloes, totaling seven podium appearances, including three of four races in the post season, and one win, taking the slalom race to open the season at the Utah Invitational.
He missed the New Mexico Invitational while participating at the World University Games in Turkey, and thus raced 12 times and finished all 12 races. He had to hike just once and in the other 11 races brought home a top 10 performance in each race with seven of the 11 earning podium appearances.
He was the first menGÇÖs alpine skier to win a run in both slalom and giant slalom races in the same season since 2007.
