By: Caleb Horsch
Lyme, NH - Ski racing returned to the Dartmouth Skiway on Thursday for the makeup University of Vermont Giant Slalom race. The course was bathed in sunshine as warm weather hit New Hampshire. Despite the temps, the snow was superb as a full field of racers charged top to bottom.
The GS hill of the Skiway is not one of particular difficulty, and it is in this way that the challenge arises. Skiers must attack the short pitch with maximum effort to carry as much speed into a long flat section as possible. In essence, the race is won or lost on the three turns coming off the pitch. However, winning runs must bring constant aggression to the bottom section.
Hanna Larsson-Nathhorst (University of Vermont) - Stephen R Cloutier
Allie Resnick (Dartmouth) looked nearly unstoppable at the opening Colby carnival but was seeking another win on her home hill. Surprisingly, after the first run, she had work to do as Mika-Anne Reha (Middlebury) and Hanna Larsson-Nathhorst (UVM) sat in front of her. Impressive skiing from Moa Clementson (UVM), a force in Slalom but typically a non-factor in GS, saw her move up to fourth from bib 27.
Run one on the men's side was a preview of the day ahead. Diego Holscher of the University of Vermont led the pack, narrowly ahead of his teammates Declan McCormack and Kyle Alexander. Despite the fast first runs, there was little respite for the Catamounts, with incredibly close margins present throughout the field. The flip was a mere 1.81 seconds behind the leader, and the top 60 was spread by only 3.37 seconds.
Simen Strand (Saint Michael's) - Stephen R Cloutier
With close margins at the top on run one, the women's race was truly anyone's game. However, Larsson-Nathhorst had no intention of going home in the second. She absolutely charged the middle flats section, putting an enormous amount of time on the field on a day when times were incredibly close. 1.31 seconds behind Larsson-Nathhorst were her teammates Clement and Ella Renzoni, who helped the Catamounts grab a podium sweep.
The women's top 5 was rounded out by Mika-Anne, who slipped ever so slightly off the podium to fourth. In fifth was Dartmouth's own Isabelle Washburn, who, from bib 41, moved all the way up to fifth place on the day.
As the shadows started to creep in, the men pushed out for their second run. The question on everyone's minds was if anyone could stop UVM. The answer was a resounding no as McCormack, Alexander, and Holscher all landed on the podium. A surprise did come from Simen Strand (Saint Michael's), whose solid second run moved him up two spots to tie with Holscher for third place. The top 5 was rounded out by Hunter Brayton (UNH).
Justine Clement (University of Vermont) - Stephen R Cloutier
Given its postponement, this race did not count towards the carnival results, but it is good as an NCAA qualifier and for EISA start lists. The team side will kick off on Friday with the Dartmouth Carnival.
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