Feb. 1, 2008
CRESTED BUTTE, Colo. — Sophomore Alpine skier Malin Hemmingsson picked up her first career win in the giant slalom at the Western State Invitational at Mt. Crested Butte. Hemmingsson’s win along with Karin Ohlin’s sixth place finish in the women’s giant slalom moved the Lobos into fourth place with 161 points.
Alpine competition was cut short due to poor visibility and snow conditions. The women’s competition was declared final after just one run, while the men’s race was scrapped. Discussions are ongoing for the make-up of the men’s race. One option is to hold a second men’s giant slalom race day in Taos, N.M., at the New Mexico Invitational on Feb. 8-9.
The Nordic races went off without a hitch, but the Lobos did not perform as well as expected. Simon Reissman was the Lobos top finisher in the men’s classic in 15th place, followed by Casey Dyck in 21st and Martin Kaas in 24th. Polina Ermoshina finished just outside of the top 10 in 11th place in the women’s classic. Melanie Zemp finished 14th while Crystin Jaques finished 24th. Laura Van Alst finished 37th in her first competition of the season.
Competition continues on Saturday, Feb. 2 with the freestyle and slalom races.
Western State Invitational – team standings through 3 events
1. Colorado – 234.5
2. Utah – 228
3. Denver – 218.5
4. New Mexico – 161
5. Nevada – 144
6. Montana State – 137
7. Alaska-Anchorage – 134
8. Whitman – 77
9. Western State – 45
10. Wyoming – 20