While the world’s best skiers compete on the University of Utah’s home course, transplanted U skiers try to salvage a hectic season during life on the road.
After a pair of second place finishes to open the 2002 season, the U skiers turned in their second consecutive bronze finish Feb. 8-9 at the New Mexico Invitational.
The competition was the last before Regional Championships in Anchorage, Alaska Feb. 27-28.
Men’s freshman alpine skier Pierre Olsson continued his hot streak. Olsson took the slalom title, his second first place finish of the season, and added a second place in the giant slalom. In four invites, the first year Ute has eight podium finishes.
Freshman Josh Whitman added a fifth place in the giant slalom and reigning NCAA slalom champ Jernej Bukovec was seventh in the slalom.
Olsson’s individual prowess aside, the best team performance belonged to the women’s cross country team.
The women placed first in the 10K skate, on the power of Jorunn Oye’s second place finish, Denise Whitten’s fifth and Anna Sprague’s seventh. Oye and freshman Sara Svendsen combined to finish second in the women’s classical sprint relay.
In women’s downhill, Petra Svet skied to a second place showing in the slalom and a fifth in the giant slalom. Annik Boulva added a seventh place in the slalom, and April Mancuso came in eighth in the giant slalom.
The men’s cross country team continued to battle despite being without U.S. Olympic representative Torin Koos. Petter Svendsen was the top men’s finisher in 12th in the skate, followed by Ryan Quinn in 14th. The duo skied to a third place finish in the men’s classical relay.
After Regionals, the NCAA Championships, also held in Anchorage, wrap up the season Feb. 6-9.