By: Caleb Horsch
Williamstown, Mass. - Amidst what often felt like gale-force winds, the Williams Giant Slalom went off at Jiminy Peak in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. Two technical sets kept the field on their toes in what was almost the inverse of the previous weekend's race at Dartmouth.
Diego Holscher (University of Vermont) - Stephen R Cloutier
A full field slip was required in the morning as wind-blown snow lay on some areas of the track. However, the snow underneath was excellent and would set the stage for a fantastic day of racing. Martin Wilson from Saint Michael's took to the set first, putting down a tight 24-meter set that would test the technical skiing of the best.
Wilson's set was what his team was looking for as Helene Kristoffersen set the fastest time on the first run, cruising through the tighter distance with tight arcs. Second on the run was Williams's own Jane Gutchess, looking to give Williams a historic result at their home carnival. Gutchess's teammate, Chloe Aust, sat in fourth after the first run, with Tilde Kandell (UNH) in third and Isabelle Washburn (Dartmouth) in fifth.
Also benefiting from his coach's set was reigning EISA Skier of the Week Simen Strand, who maintained his elevation well through the upper part of the challenge before bringing strong depth to the turns before the flatter sections. He was rewarded on the first run with the fastest time, narrowly ahead of Bradshaw Underhill (Middlebury) and Hunter Brayton (UNH). With the quickest time being only 48 seconds, times were close, with the top 15 being separated by under a second.
Isabelle Washburn (Dartmouth) - Stephen R Cloutier
Since winning the opening GS and SL races at the Colby Carnival, it has been a disappointing stretch for Allie Resnick (Dartmouth). That all changed on her second run as she moved up from thirteenth place to win the second run by over half a second. Her efforts would be enough for the win as the top 5 completely fell apart. Second place went to Resnick's teammate, Washburn, who moved from bib 22 to get her first collegiate podium. Mika-Anne Reha (Middlebury) grabbed her second podium of the season in third place.
Declan McCormack (UVM), the wearer of the red bib signifying his lead in the points classification, sat a disappointing ninth after the first run. He sought to change that, hunting for his third win of the season, he skied an incredibly clean run. He saw off challenges from all eight skiers in front of him to grab his third GS win of the season. Underhill held second place to grab his second podium of the season. Diego Holscher moved up three spots on the day to land in third. The podium was not complete yet, as a tie for third place saw First-year Harrison Digangi grab the first podium of his collegiate career. Digangi's result gave the Mules its first podium on the men's side since Vincent Lebrun-Fortin in 2010.
Mika-Anne Reha (Middlebury) - Stephen R Cloutier
Winds are supposed to calm overnight and give way to sunny skies for a day of Slalom action back at Jiminy on Saturday. On the team side of the race, the Dartmouth women's team secured the win on the backs of their two podium finishes, and the University of Vermont got the win on the men's side off the backs of McCormack and Holscher. The Carnival lead narrowly belongs to Dartmouth, who is seeking its second win of the season.