Utah Skiing Extends Lead in Denver Invitational

Friday, January 20

Granby, Colo. (Devil's Thumb Ranch)

TBA

University of Utah

Classical (5/10K Interval Start)

Utah Skiing Extends Lead in Denver Invitational

1/20/2012 12:00 AM | Skiing

Jan. 20, 2012

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Complete Results

GRANBY, Colo. - Junior Parker Tyler captured her first career victory in the women's 5k Classical race and the Utah ski team maintained first place after the first day of Nordic competition in the Denver Invitational Friday at Devil's Thumb Ranch.

"Conditions were perhaps some of the most challenging and variable we have encountered this year," Utah Director of Skiing Kevin Sweeney said. "I am very pleased with the performance of both squads. It was a real confidence builder for all of us as we put up nice individual results in addition to scoring consistently as a team. This has set us up well in regards to overall team points and individual NCAA qualifying. I am proud of how well everyone prepared and then executed their race strategy today. We are seeing personal bests and some really solid skiing across the board. I could not ask for more right now from this group. This is intense racing, but very fun and rewarding too."

With a successful day in the classical races, that included three podium finishes, Utah extended its lead over Colorado in the Denver Invitational to 72 points and heads into tomorrow's final event, the freestyle, with a total of 694 points.

The Utes lead the Nordic standings with 238 points after the first day as the men's team led the way 126 points and the women's team picked up an additional 112.

"We have been very fortunate these past two weekends to have the Alpine team setting the bar high for us before we even start the Nordic races," Utah Head Nordic coach Abi Holt said. "This is a pretty cohesive team, and seeing the Alpine team start out so well really gives everyone on the Nordic side an extra push to keep the team score up. As a coach, it is amazing to watch these groups feed off one another's successes.

"Today, in tough conditions, and on a very challenging course, the Nordic team placed seven out of seven racers in the top 13 places, with three podium finishes. That's a pretty amazing day for us. The icing was watching Tom Smith ski to a personal-best classic result and, of course, it is always a thrill to watch a racer win their first RMISA race, as Parker did today. Now we're headed home to recover and turn our focus toward tomorrow's race."

Tyler won the women's 5k classical race for the first victory of her career at Utah. The Landgrove, Vt., native picked up the second podium finish of her career and this was also the seventh time she has placed among the top 20.

"Today was such an amazing day to be a part of the Utah ski team," Tyler said. "The energy and excitement was so high going into the races today, even though we knew we had some challenges to overcome: high altitude and tough waxing conditions. The coaches did an amazing job with the skis, which was really important on this hilly course. I was very excited about my race today. I made a plan before the race about how I was going to ski the course and was able to execute it. It is always fun to finish a race not only knowing that you felt good yourself, but that everyone else on your team had an awesome day as well."

Senior Rose Kemp joined Tyler among the top 10 in the race as she placed eighth to earn her fifth-career top-10 finish and her third straight to start the 2012 season. Junior Mali Noyes rounded out the scoring for the Utes as she finished 11th to secure her second top-15 performance of this season.

The Utes received a major boost in points by taking two of the top three spots, and three in the top 10, of the men's 10k classical competition.

Junior Miles Havlick, the reigning RMISA Men's Nordic Skier of the Week, crossed the finish line in second place for the third straight meet to start the 2012 season. The Boulder, Colo., native has now finished on the podium 11 times during his career and has finished second or higher in nine of those races.

"It was a super tough day out there for the guys," Havlick said. "It was clear when we started and a heavy snow shower blew through in the middle of the race, changing the conditions significantly. This is your worst fear in a classic race, but we all fought hard. We were the toughest team out there and we increased our lead in the team standings so it was a successful day."

Senior Didrik Smith posted his second podium finish out of three races so far this season with a third-place effort, less than four seconds behind his teammate Havlick. Smith has been among the top three in three races during his career at Utah.

Tom Smith joined his teammates in the top 10 with a seventh-place effort, his second top-10 placement this season. Smith, a Bend, Ore., native, has finished 10th or better in seven races over his career.

Senior Rolf Figi rounded out Utah's day with a 13th-place finish.

The Denver Invitational concludes tomorrow with the 10/15k freestyle races tomorrow at the Devil's Thumb Ranch in Granby, Colo.