Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images
DU Invitational Kicks Off 2020 Season Friday
January 09, 2020 | Skiing
ASPEN—The collegiate ski season is officially upon us and the Colorado Ski Team is set to open the alpine portion of its season with the Denver Invitational Friday through Sunday here at the Aspen Highlands Ski Resort.Â
A few firsts are happening in this initial meet fo the season as this is the first time alpine teams are heading to Aspen for alpine action and this is the first time Denver is hosting the first meet of the season in the coed skiing era (since 1983).  In 2009 and 2010 Nordic races took place in Aspen as part of the Owl Creek Chase, but no alpine action has taken place in the area. This season the Nordic teams are again skiing in the Owl Creek Chase, but ironically not as part of the DU Invitational, whose Nordic races will take place Jan. 25-26 at Maloit Park near Vail. Â
This first weekend's action in Aspen will consist of three races; two giant slalom races and one slalom race.  The first set of GS races on Friday will be an RMISA Qualifier and not count toward team scoring for the DU meet, but will count for individual accolades and NCAA Championship qualification.   The second set of GS races Saturday will be a part of the DU meet, as will Sunday's slalom races. Â
The Buffs will get an early-season test to see where they stand against some of the top competition in the country.  Between the Buffs, Utah and Denver, the three RMISA schools have won each of the last seven and 22 of the last 25 NCAA Championships.  Both teams are expected to bring top-notch alpine and Nordic teams to the table again in 2020.Â
CU's alpine teams are anchored on the women's side by senior Mikaela Tommy and sophomore Stef Fleckenstein and the team is one of the deepest in recent memory.  While banged up a little early in the season, coach Richard Rokos expects the team to get healthier and improve throughout the season. Â
The men are led by junior Joey Young, who leads a young but talented group of skiers into the new decade. Â
After the DU Invitational is over, the Buffs own Spencer James Nelson Memorial Invitational will take place Jan. 15-19 in Eldora (alpine) and Steamboat Springs (Nordic). Â
A few firsts are happening in this initial meet fo the season as this is the first time alpine teams are heading to Aspen for alpine action and this is the first time Denver is hosting the first meet of the season in the coed skiing era (since 1983).  In 2009 and 2010 Nordic races took place in Aspen as part of the Owl Creek Chase, but no alpine action has taken place in the area. This season the Nordic teams are again skiing in the Owl Creek Chase, but ironically not as part of the DU Invitational, whose Nordic races will take place Jan. 25-26 at Maloit Park near Vail. Â
This first weekend's action in Aspen will consist of three races; two giant slalom races and one slalom race.  The first set of GS races on Friday will be an RMISA Qualifier and not count toward team scoring for the DU meet, but will count for individual accolades and NCAA Championship qualification.   The second set of GS races Saturday will be a part of the DU meet, as will Sunday's slalom races. Â
The Buffs will get an early-season test to see where they stand against some of the top competition in the country.  Between the Buffs, Utah and Denver, the three RMISA schools have won each of the last seven and 22 of the last 25 NCAA Championships.  Both teams are expected to bring top-notch alpine and Nordic teams to the table again in 2020.Â
CU's alpine teams are anchored on the women's side by senior Mikaela Tommy and sophomore Stef Fleckenstein and the team is one of the deepest in recent memory.  While banged up a little early in the season, coach Richard Rokos expects the team to get healthier and improve throughout the season. Â
The men are led by junior Joey Young, who leads a young but talented group of skiers into the new decade. Â
After the DU Invitational is over, the Buffs own Spencer James Nelson Memorial Invitational will take place Jan. 15-19 in Eldora (alpine) and Steamboat Springs (Nordic). Â
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