Utah’s ski team will have to come from behind a bit if it hopes to claim its 14th national championship.
The Utes are in fourth place after the first day of competition at Cannon Mountain and Jackson Nordic Center in New Hampshire. However, they are only 29 points out of first place.
Montana State and Westminster are in first place with 137 points apiece.
The giant slalom was contested Wednesday, and Utah’s Gustav Vollo finished third. Utes Joachim Lien (fifth) and Wilhelm Normannseth (ninth) also had top 10 finishes and earned All-America status.
On the women’s side, Utah’s Katie Parker placed eighth.
“Great day by our men and Katie,” said Utah director of skiing Fredrik Landstedt. “Overall, it could’ve been better, but getting four All-Americans and being right in the mix, with two athletes not finishing, is a good start to the championship. Tomorrow will be a very hard day with warm temperatures and slow snow for our Nordic team.”
Parker was happy with her showing in the women’s giant slalom.
“I was in fifth place after the first run and tried to push more in the second run, but had a little mistake and lost some time on the last flat,” she said in a school news release. “Still happy with eight place though. Excited for the slalom on Friday.”
Thursday, the Nordic team competes, as the women will race the 5K classic and the men the 10K classic.