Utah Skiing wins Denver Invitational

Jeremy Mathers skiing at the Denver Invitational. Photo: Jeremy Mathers DU Slalom

Keystone, Colo. — The University of Utah Ski Team clinched the Denver Invitational on Monday afternoon, courtesy of a men’s slalom victory by Wilhelm Normannseth and three top-ten finishes in both the men’s and women’s races.

After the first day of the Giant Slalom, Utah had just a marginal nine-point lead ahead of Colorado and Westminster. With strong performances from both sides, the women led out for the Utes on the first day to secure 85 total points while the men tallied 74.

Kaja Norbye and Sona Moravcikova had strong performances for the women as Norbye finished in third while Moravcikova concluded the day with a fifth-place effort. Meanwhile, Katie Vesterstein landed in the No. 9 spot, Katie Parker concluded the day in 11th and Michelle Kervén finished 20th.

Norbye’s first run of the day registered at 50.32 seconds and was second-fastest in the field. Parker also had a respectable time of 51.10-seconds for fifth-fastest on the day.

“It’s been nice to have the team coming back,” Head alpine coach JJ Johnson told Utah Athletics. “Katie Parker and Katie Vesterstein are back from the Olympics. The skiing has been good and training has been good. Katie Parker is getting more and more energy back after her travel from the Olympics. It’s kind of the same old adage with our depth. You’re never quite sure who the top-three are going to be every day. It was another solid team effort all around to start off the DU Invite.”

As for the slalom, the Utes recorded a combined 173 points to finish off the invitational with 332 total points, 19 ahead of second-place Westminster.

Normannseth highlighted the slalom as he clocked a 57.93 to win Monday’s first race. Additionally, Jeremy Mathers placed fourth on the day with a second run that was third-best in the field and Gustav Vøllo finished out the men’s scoring with a top 10 finish.

Utah will now prepare for the 2022 RMISA Championships which is scheduled for Feb. 23-26 at Mount Warner in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The event will begin with the Giant Slalom on Wednesday, Feb. 23 and conclude with the 15/20K Classical on Saturday, Feb. 26.