Skiing on an improvised up-and-down course at an alpine area proved to be all downhill for Utah.
The Utes took some major strides Thursday night to regain the NCAA ski title they won six times in the 1980s and again in 1993 before finishing second last year to Vermont.Racing in what is believed the first night session in the NCAA ski championships, the Utah Nordic team expanded a three-point afternoon lead to 123 with a sparkling performance.
After Utah's Heidi Selenes continued her domination of the women's 5-kilometer event with teammate Ingvil Snofugl fourth, the Utes' Havard Solbaken and Alse Slettemoen finished 1-2 in the men's 10-kilometer race with teammate Torry Kraftson fourth.
Overall, the cross-country skiers compiled 206 points for a total of 394. The nearest challenger was Denver with 271, with defending champion Vermont at 264.
Unbeaten Colorado, which beat Utah by five points in an invitational meet, dropped from three points behind after the afternoon giant slalom races to fourth with 261 points.
The slalom was to be held today with the women's 10-kilometer and the men's 20-kilometer Saturday.
The cross-country events are expected to return to the original course at Jackson after rain caused them to be moved to Mount Cranmore, which has no regular course.
Utah Nordic Coach Kevin Sweeney called the improvised course "unique, all up and down" with changing light at night.
But for Selenes, it made no difference after winning almost all of her races during the season.
"She's a great skier, no matter what the course," Sweeney said.
She finished in 15 minutes, 51.8 seconds - 30 seconds ahead of Amy Crawford of Western State.
Then Solbaken and Slettemoen took over, turning in times of 27:24.5 and 27.27.7, with Denver's Bernie Lafleur another seven second behind.
Vermont Coach Chip Lacasse called the course the toughest Nordic course he's seen with no real flat areas.
In the afternoon, Utah's Christl Hager successfully defended her giant slalom title and kept her record unblemished in five GSs this year. She moved up from second after the first run to win in 2:08:36.
Suzie Easterly, skiing on her "home" course, won the first run and finished second in 2:08.69 to give host New Hampshire its best finish ever in the NCAA championships.
Senior Bryan Sax of Colorado won the men's GS in 2:10.99, his first collegiate victory.