STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo.—University of Denver’s Kristine Gjelsten Haugen made history on Tuesday at the NCAA Skiing Championships after winning her third first place giant slalom title in her four years of competing. She clocked a total time of 1:58.00, just beating Montana State University’s Benedicte Oseid Lyche by .01.
“It feels good to take the title back,” Haugen said. “I didn’t manage to take it last year. It’s special and I’m really happy.”
Senior Haugen had the fastest time in both races and though the snow was coming down, the conditions did not slow her down.
“The course was very good. It is challenging when it’s snowing, but it wasn’t a problem really if you were mentally prepared for it,” Haugen said. “Then I think you could really take advantage of the fact that it is hard.”
While one Denver alumni has five titles overall, no woman has ever won more than three titles in the giant slalom, which puts Haugen in the history books.
“I went out there and I was a little bit nervous, but I went out kind of thinking that if I was really tough today and skied like I did in training, and maybe a little bit tougher, that it could be enough for a top or a podium,” she said. “I think just that mentality and having fun was what brought it home today.”
On the men’s side, Utah’s Endre Bjertness took first place with a total time of 1:50.85.
“I’ve been feeling pretty good lately so I really just tried to ski like normal,” said Bjertness. “My turns were a little messy at the beginning, but I tried to keep running. Luckily, I just barely made it.”
While these racers performed well individually, their overall teams are also in good standing after the first day of competition. Denver is just 10 points behind first place Montana State with a total of 138 points. Utah is in third with 123 points.
Racing will resume again Thursday morning with women’s 5K freestyle at 9:00 a.m. and men’s 10K freestyle at 10:30 a.m.