The University of Denver ski team swept the giant slalom races Wednesday at the NCAA Championships in Stowe, Vt., but the University of Colorado led the team standings after the first day of competition.
DU junior Ida Dillingoen won the women’s GS and senior Seppi Stiegler, the younger brother of World Cup veteran Resi Stiegler, won the men’s GS, helping the three-time defending champion Pioneers stand sixth overall with 262 points. CU led with 408, followed by Dartmouth (362), Utah (353 1/2) and Vermont (349 1/2).
“Ida and Seppi skied great,” Pioneers alpine coach Andy LeRoy said. “It’s Ida’s first victory since joining DU three years ago . . . She skied strong and determined, and she’s the first (DU) women’s skier to win GS.”
Dillingoen defeated Colorado’s Sara Hjertman by 0.53 seconds. CU’s Erika Ghent finished fifth.
Colorado produced three podium finishes in the two nordic races. CU’s Eliska Hajkova and Joanne Reid finished second and third, respectively, in the 5-kilometer freestyle behind Utah’s Maria Graefnings. CU’s Vegard Kjoelhamar finished second in the men’s 10K freestyle behind Sam Tarling of Dartmouth.
CU is contending for its 18th national championship, and head coach Richard Rokos was pleased that all of his racers earned points.
“In alpine, I know both guys and girls gave up a lot on their second runs in order to finish without problems and to maintain the point lead,” he said. “That’s the unfortunate part of competition, to go a little slower individually to win as a team.”
Today is a day off because the giant slaloms were moved up a day, with a storm expected overnight.
Denver Post staff and wire services
