Ute Ski Team Excels In Season Opener

Friday, January 3

Big Sky, Mont.

TBA

University of Utah

Montana Invitational (Alpine)

1/3/2003 12:00 AM | Skiing

Jan. 3, 2003

BIG SKY, Mont. - The University of Utah ski team dowses the competition in the season opener as they placed first overall in the Montana Invitational. The Utes skied past top-ranked Denver and Colorado in its first invitational of this season. "This was a solid team showing today," said Head Alpine Coach Aaron Atkins. "I'm very pleased with our performance."

In the men's giant slalom, the Utes skied second behind Colorado. It was junior Pierre Olsson's first-place finish that led the Utes. Senior Jernej Bukovej looked strong as he skied fourth with a time of 1:43.72. Freshman Benjamin Thornhill was close behind with a seventh place finish, while Josh Whitham wrapped up the competition finishing 11th.

The women's alpine team placed first, as junior Lina Johansson from Sweden tied for first in the giant slalom with New Mexico foe Caroline Schicht. Senior Petra Svet, whom finished third in the slalom at the 2002 NCAA National Championships, secured another third-place finish with a time of 1:49.77. Sophomore Rowena Bright skied seventh followed by Elisha Stephens who placed 15th.

"I'm very ecstatic about the first day of events," remarked Head Coach Kevin Sweeney. "The way the Alpine team came out charging. Putting that many people scoring in the top 10 is the consistency I've been talking about. We need to make sure we stay strong for the slalom event."

The Utes were able to rack up a first-place overall placing after excellent skiing from both the men's and women's alpine squads. Utah will hope to carry on its success, as the alpine team gears up to compete in the slalom event tomorrow, Jan. 4, in Big Sky, Mont.