STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - - On day two of the NCAA championships hosted by Colorado University, the nordic skiers took to the trails of Howelsen Hill to race the women's 5km and men's 10km classic. Alice Nelson '10 and Dimitri Luthi '12 were the only ephs competing.
In this morning's 5 km, Nelson did not have one of her strongest performances, finishing 36th. Denver's Antje Maempel won the race. The first eastern skier was Dartmouth's Rosie Brennan, who finished 2nd.
In the men's 10km, Luthi skied a strong race, finishing 15th. Dimitri sat in 8th and was in line for All-American honors (given to the top-10) at the intermediate check point, but faded over the final 5km. Luthi said waxing today was "sketchy", but that the team's skis were not an issue. Altitude, however, was a factor. At around 7,000 feet, Steamboat is one of the highest racing venues in the world and favors western racers, most of whom live and train above 5,000 feet. Luthi, who arrived in Colorado on Sunday, said "today and yesterday were the worst days, in terms of feeling the altitude." That aside, it is an impressive result. As a freshman, Luthi finished 28th in the same race. Colorado's Matt Gelso won the race ahead of Vermont's Franz Bernstein.
After today, Williams drops to 14th place, but tomorrow provides a solid oppurtunity to move up as the team has skied well in slalom races this year. Denver remains in first place.
