Bethel, Maine— The Colby Alpine Ski Team opened up the carnival season at Sunday River on Friday for the Bates Carnival. Conditions were superb after high wins died down, leaving behind a hard surface that allowed the racers to push top to bottom. In ski racing, athletes prefer hard snow as it does not deteriorate as more skiers come down the hill.

The Mules have been stellar in early season results, and the expectations were high going into the day. The women's team rose to meet those expectations, placing second behind carnival leader Dartmouth. They compiled a massive 110 points, led by Senior Lydia Riddell. Benefiting from head coach Eric Harlow's first run set, Riddell went out to a massive half-second lead over the field. That lead did not hold up on run two, but Riddell held on for a career-best second-place finish. Her result is the best by a Mules since Hannah Soria won the Harvard Carnival last season.

The women's team was also bolstered by Carissa Cassidy, who skied to an event-best ninth-place finish, and Soria, who placed eleventh. Both scored valuable results at this early point in the season. 

Patrick Coughlin led the men's team in 16th place. Jack Schaede also scored for the team. 

Combined with the Nordic team, the Mules sit in fifth place, trialing the Middlebury Panthers and in front of hosts Bates. Racing continues tomorrow with the Slalom portion of the Bates Carnival.