Curtis Wins Giant Slalom in NCAA Qualifying Race

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — Senor Ellie Curtis followed up a third-place finish in the giant slalom yesterday as part of the Middlebury Carnival with a victory in the event today. While the races at the Snow Bowl replaced the giant slalom that was canceled at the Vermont Carnival two weeks ago, the results only count toward qualifying for the NCAA Championships next month and will not be included in the carnival results.

Curtis took advantage of the improved weather conditions from earlier in the weekend to jump out to the lead on the first run by three-quarters of a second. While her second run turned out to be just the 14th fastest in the field, it was plenty good enough to enable her to remain at the top of the standings to earn gold with a combined time of 2:06.30. Sophomore Olivia Holm put together two solid runs to finish sixth overall in 2:07.20, while junior Gwen Wattenmaker ended up just outside the top 10 with her time of 2:07.76, good for 11th. Freshman Carly Elsinger (15th), and fifth-year seniors Hannah Utter (17th) and Mikaela O'Brien (46th) also competed for the Big Green.

In the men's race, freshman Oliver Morgan had the best showing, claiming sixth in 2:01.46, 1.39 seconds off the pace of Vermont's Joachim Lindstoel. Junior Hunter Brayton was also included in the top 10, placing eighth with his time of 2:02.12, while freshman Olof Hedelin was 23rd overall (2:03.06). Another rookie, Jordan Simon (31st), along with junior Kellen Kinsella (37th) and sophomore Max Martin (40th), rounded out the Dartmouth skiers.

Next up is the East Regional and EISA Championships at the New Hampshire Carnival in Jackson, New Hampshire, this Friday and Saturday.

Schedules