Jefersonville, Vt. - Frigid temperatures battering the Northeast could not stop the Colby alpine team as the rescheduled Saint Michael's carnival got off the Slalom portion of the event. Record-setting temperatures forced the abandonment of Friday's GS race, but the league was determined to get one race off.
Using the old Smugglers Notch T-bar and then hiking the eight gates to the start provided sufficient vertical drop for a valid FIS race. However, the race would be a sprint, forcing athletes to charge from top to bottom. Temperatures sat at -17º F at the base for the start of the day, but the sun shone down, and the wind was minimal, keeping athletes and coaches warm through the first run.
The men enjoyed a first run set from their coach, Eric Harlow who challenged the men's field. Despite three DNFs (did not finishes) from some top skiers the Mules put their other three finishers in the top 30 after the first run. Tucker Strauch led the Mules in 19th, also with solid first runs was Brooks Reed in 21st and Cam Owens moving up from outside the first 30 group to 28th.
The women's first run set was less high tempo then the men forcing the ladies to work for speed top to bottom. Carissa Cassidy was able to show some of the speed that has been apparent in training this year moving up from outside the first 30 group to finish the first run in 11th. She was closely followed by Cassie Lieblein whose 5th and 6th place finishes in Slalom this year as put her in the mix amongst the very best. Also in the top 30 after the first run was Ella Spear and Molly Mueller.
As the sun disappeared behind the mountain and feet started to go cold the men started their second run. A superb run from Cam Owens who took advantage of his early start order in the second run landed him in 19th. But, the Mules were led by Strauch who moved up to 16th. Scoring another top 30 result was Brooks Reed who settled in 23rd.
A unfortunate crash from Cassidy put her out of the running but, there were still some bright spots from the women. Lieblein added yet another top 30 with an 18th place finish, Mueller skied a solid second run to finish in 24th and Lydia Riddell made up for a mistake on her first run to ski into 30th.
The Mules finished seventh for both the men and women on the day and sit fifth overall in the team standings. The GS portion of the carnival will be made up at a later date. After defrosting their toes, the Mules will return to action with the Harvard Carnival at Waterville Valley.
Catch the Mules in action on Friday and Saturday on ESPN+.
WOMEN'S RESULTS (PDF)
MEN'S RESULTS (PDF)
