Fresh off a third-place performance in its season-opening Utah Invitation, the defending national champion U ski team takes to the slopes once again this weekend-albeit this time on two different courses.
This past weekend’s meet was only for alpine events. But the U’s nordic team will finally get its season started when the team heads to the Auburn Ski Club in Reno, Nev., to compete in the Nevada Invitational.
“It’s the opener for the cross country skiers, so now it’s their turn to get the first-race nerves out of the way,” head coach Kevin Sweeney said. “It’s their first opportunity to really see what the competition is. That will be a good eye-opener.”
Fortunately for the Utes, several skiers on the nordic team have some familiarity with the Reno slopes.
“We haven’t been there in a couple of years, so it’s going to be brand-new for some,” Sweeney said. “There’s some really good racing there.”
The alpine team is headed elsewhere. Accompanied by head alpine coach Aaron Atkins, that group is on its way to Sugar Bowl, Calif., for the other half of the Invite.
“The way the alpine team started off, we’re excited about what we can do this weekend,” Sweeney said. “But we know we have the potential to ski so much better, and that will come. We had some great results [last weekend]. We’re in good shape.”
The meet kicks off Thursday with the alpine giant slalom and nordic 15/20 freestyle events. Day two will include the slalom and 15/20 classical events.
