DU, CU, Utah Lead Charge at Eldora

Just two days after the first NCAA series, the RMISA skiers were back at it again in Eldora in Nederland, Colo., for the University of Colorado Invitational and RMISA Qualifier series. The NCAA skiers were welcomed with typical Colorado “hero snow” for the University of Colorado Invitational GS race on Wednesday.     

The boys ran first and enjoyed the aggressive snow “the conditions were pretty classic dry Colorado snow but it was packed decently and held up pretty well,” remarked Addison Dvoracek (UU).

DU’s Tobias Kogler led the men’s first run by a slim margin of 0.15.  After a speedy second run, Addison Dvoracek (UU) overtook Kogler for the lead winning the second run with a time of 56.67 and a total combined time of 1:51.50. In second was Utah teammate Joachim Lien, and Aage Solheim (MSU) took third. Kogler moved to fifth after the second run. 

For Dvoracek it was all about focusing on putting down a solid run with close competitors on his tail. “There were a few guys behind me who were close and that had the capability of winning as well so I would have to put down a pretty fast run. I spent quite a bit of time on inspection and had my line picked out everywhere. I stuck to my plan and it ended up being a really fast second run.”  Utah went one, two on the podium as well, something that Dvoracek remarks excited everyone. “Everyone on the team seems to be having their own victories across the board and they seem happy with their skiing.”

For the women Mikaela Tommy wins her third straight collegiate GS of the season, surpassing MSU’s Nellie Talbot from second to winning overall with a combined time of 1:54.26.  Despite missing the top spot on the podium by less than a half-second, Talbot was happy with her skiing. “I am really starting to figure out my stuff and get back to my good skiing which I haven’t seen in a while so it is very satisfying to be able to compete at a good level and a high level again, and do well.”  She also comments on her teammates encouragement contributing to her success. “My team was all stoked for me very encouraging, even those that finished behind me were supportive which was really nice to see.” 

CU Invitational SL

Day two of the CU Invitational Slalom and the Utah men lead the way again with Joachim Lien taking gold by a large margin of 0.86 over second place Mikkel Solbakken (WMC). CU’s Joey Young took third, his first podium of the season. Notably DU first year Colby Lane claimed the fastest second run of the day taking fourth overall. 

“I think I skied pretty well, coming off a tough race in Aspen it was nice to build my confidence again and land on the podium which I was very happy with. Still lots of room for improvement but today was a nice step in the right direction,” comments Joey Young. 

On the women’s side, Stefanie Fleckenstein was looking to claim her second win of the season after snagging the fastest first run. However Storm Klomhaus (DU) put down a speedy run to take first overall with a combined time of 1:27.73, her first collegiate win to date. Fleckenstein DNF’ed. Roni Remme (UU) and Mikaela Tommy (CU) took second and third. Notable performance by first year Reece Bell (DU) who put down the fastest second run of the day claiming fourth overall. 

RMISA Qualifier SL

The last day of the RMISA University series held at El Dora came to a close with fast performances by Denver University and University of Colorado skiers. 

After a strong podium finish the previous day, CU’s Joey Young took the gold coming back from a fifth place first run to win with a combined time of 1:32.60.  “El Dora did an amazing job keeping the surface firm everyday making it a fair race for all,” comments Joey Young (CU). Taking second place was Mikkel Wahl (WMC), and snagging third was Addison Dvoracek (UU) his first Slalom podium in his collegiate career. 

Fresh off the World Cup Amelia Smart of Denver University won the Women’s slalom. Mikaela Tommy of CU who has had a tremendous past week of racing in the RMISA and took second, the previous day’s slalom winner Storm Klomhaus (DU) taking third. 

“Today was great, I’m happy with my race, it’s awesome to be back racing on the college circuit,” remarks Smart.  “The conditions were pretty good, the snow was soft but held pretty well.”

For team standings, Utah has won the Alpine team portions of both Invitationals thus far with 324 points. Close behind is Colorado with 312 overall. The Nordic portion of the races begin on Saturday, Jan. 17, with the freestyle races. The Alpine races resume with the Utah Invitational February 22-24th.

View complete results below.

Link to CU GS Men: University Eldora Mountain Resort (USA)

Link to CU GS Women: University Eldora Mountain Resort (USA)

Link to CU SL Men: University Eldora Mountain Resort (USA)

Link to CU SL Women: University Eldora Mountain Resort (USA)

Link to RMISA Qualifier SL Men: University Eldora Mountain Resort (USA)

Link to RMISA Qualifier SL Women: University Eldora Mountain Resort (USA)