Colorado Wins Alaska Invitational

Sunday, January 11, 2009 – by Curtis Snyder, RMISASkiing.com

Results Available On Schedule/Results Page

ALYESKA, Alaska – Colorado overtook Alaska Anchorage’s 10 point lead headed into the final two races of the Alaska Anchorage Invitational and won its first meet of the 2009 season here Sunday on the strength of solid finishes in the men’s slalom and women’s giant slalom action.

New Mexico had the best day and with that, the Lobos were able to edge out UAA for second place by a half point. The Buffs won with 542 points with the Lobos gathering 529.5 and the Seawolves 529 points in one of the closest meets in a while in the RMISA.

The Buffs were led by Gabriel Rivas’ win in the men’s slalom race, the first win in a men’s slalom race for CU in eight years. Rivas won in a time of 1:36.53 while New Mexico’s Petter Brenna was second in 1:36.60. Denver took 3-4-5 in the order of John Buchar (1:37.07), Leif Haugen (1:37.26) and Ian Lochhead (1:37.31).

In women’s slalom giant action, Utah’s Eva Huckova won in a time of 1:47.11 while CU’s Carolina Hordh finished second in 1:47.33. A pair of Lobos were third and fourth with Estelle Pecherand-Charmet finishing third in 1:48.82 and Steffi Demetz fourth in 1:48.52. Alaska Anchorage’s Sandra MacDonald rounded out the top five in a time of 1:48.73.

Next up for RMISA teams will be a trip to Colorado for the CU Invitational, next Wednesday through Saturday in Eldora (alpine) and Aspen (nordic).