RENO, Nev.— The RMISA alpine field continued a busy stretch of racing Monday with a giant slalom qualifier at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, highlighted by a breakthrough victory from Colorado's Filip Wahlqvist and another marquee performance from Denver's Sara Rask in the women's race.
Wahlqvist earned his first career giant slalom victory and 10th win overall, leading after the first run and holding on through the second to top a deep men's field. The win marked his third giant slalom podium of the season and continued a strong start for the Buffs in NCAA qualifying races.
Utah placed two skiers on the podium behind Wahlqvist, as Johs Herland finished second and Sindre Myklebust took third. Herland's runner-up result extended his remarkable season, which now includes five wins and two second-place finishes, with podium appearances in all seven races. Myklebust earned his fourth career podium and first in nearly a year, dating back to Feb. 3 of last season.
In the women's race, Denver's Sara Rask surged to victory with the fastest second run, overtaking Colorado's Louison Accambray to claim her 18th career win and third of the season. The victory was Rask's first giant slalom win of the year, her sixth career GS triumph, and her first in the discipline in two years.
Accambray finished second to extend her season-opening podium streak to seven straight races, while Denver's Cecilia Pizzinato rounded out the podium in third to give the Pioneers two of the top three finishers.
The race served as an RMISA Alpine Qualifier and counted toward NCAA qualification, with conference competition continuing Tuesday at Mt. Rose as part of the Nevada Invitational.
Men's Giant Slalom: 1. Filip Wahlqvist, Colorado, 1:51.22; 2. Johs Herland, Utah, 1:51.70; 3. Sindre Myklebust, Utah, 1:51.75; 4. Justin Bigatel, Colorado, 1:51.77; 5. Adrian Hunshammer, Denver, 1:51.78; 6. Feb Allasina, Colorado, 1:51.99; 7. Torius Hepsoee, Montana State, 1:52.14; 8. Pietro Motterlini, Denver, 1:52.15; 9. Loic Spiegelberg, Montana State, 1:52.96; 10. Engebret Halbjoerhus, Nevada, 1:53.25.
Women's Giant Slalom: 1. Sara Rask, Denver, 1:55.84; 2. Louison Accambray, Colorado, 1:56.30; 3. Cecilia Pizzinato, Denver, 1:57.38; 4. Erica Lynch, Nevada, 1:57.70; 5. Paige DeHart, Colorado, 1:57.74; 6. Cathinka Lunder, Colorado, 1:58.37; 7. Melanie Dahlberg, Utah, 1:58.44; 8. Nicola Rountree-Williams, Denver, 1:58.47; 9. Solveig Groenningsaeter, Montana State, 1:58.78; 10. Sophia Falter, Nevada, 1:59.04.
| Date | Race |
|---|---|
| Jan. 31 | Women's Slalom |
| Jan. 31 | Men's Slalom |
| Feb. 2 | Women's Giant Slalom |
| Feb. 2 | Men's Giant Slalom |