It was a crystal clear bluebird day up at Jiminy today for the Williams Carnival slalom race, but although yesterday’s wind was nowhere to be found a mighty chill settled on the hill. Temperatures were subzero in the morning, although the blazing sun did us all a favor and brought some spring-like twenty-some-degree temps for a wonderful afternoon of slalom.
Yesterday’s rock hard surface returned today, much to the delight of the EISA skiers, and the courses held up remarkably well into the higher bibs. Racers from UVM, Dartmouth, and UNH found the most success, with Middlebury topping off an incredible weekend with another two podiums and Williams getting star Madeleine Dekko back on the top step of the slalom podium.
In the men’s field, the Norwegian rippers Mathias Tefre and Jagge Lindstoel—both freshman skiing for UVM—continued a season of success with third and second place, respectively. Tefre skied the fifth fastest first run and then a lightning-quick and field fastest second run. Jagge, who tends to be staggeringly consistent, lived up to his reputation with a second place first run and second place second run. Middlebury’s Justin Alkier, meanwhile, won the first run by almost seven tenths of a second and finished the day with a ninth place second run that was still quick enough to give him the win. Middlebury coach Stever Bartlett, when asked about the team’s success this weekend--Mid kids Erik Arvidsson and Tim Gavett tied for first place yesterday and Lucia Bailey grabbed third today--commended both the men's and women's squads for “improving the technical parts of their skiing” and “embracing a team culture of hard work and positivity.” Seems like it’s paying off!
Over on the women’s course, Middlebury junior Lucia Bailey brought the Panthers even more glory with a fifth place first run and the field’s fastest second run, ultimately grabbing third place. Resident UNH speed demon Emma Woodhouse got back on the podium this week with the third fastest first and second runs, nailing down second place. Feeding off some infectious home mountain energy, Williams freshman Madeleine Dekko screamed down the hill to win the first run and come in second on the second run for a sweet sweet victory. This is Dekko’s second slalom win in a row after her outstanding showing at last week’s Bates Carnival.
Next week, we’re off to the Middlebury Snow Bowl for NCAA regionals and the last carnival of the year!
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