Read the Digital MagazineCU Buffs remain undefeated
CU continued their undefeated season with another win at the University of New Mexico Invitational last weekend (Feb. 9th and 10th). CU trailed Utah after the nordic portion of the invitational, but the Buffaloes stampeded their way to the top, landing an impressive 11 top-ten finishes in the two slalom races at Red River.
It seemed like Rasanen was going to make it two in a row when he posted the fastest first run time on the second day, but the DU Pioneer, Espen Lysdahl came out victorious after a blistering second run. “My focus was to carry as much speed as possible onto the flats, because it is pretty flat here, I think I managed to have two pretty solid runs and I guess that’s why I beat Joonas today” said a happy Lysdahl. The Lobos celebrated a successful day as well, with their double podium performance of Rasanen in 2nd and Chris Acosta in third. Anna Goodman (pictured right) pulled off the rare feat winning all four runs of the women’s races. “Any time you win it feels good for sure,” said Goodman, “and I’m really happy because it’s good for me to start 30th on second runs, and try to win runs from back there… both days I think I did a pretty good job, I’m happy about that, and I got a sweet prize (the awards were arrows)!”
The CU freshman, Jessica Honkonen, finished 2nd on day one, with the pair of Utes Ana Kobal and Kristiina Rove in 3rd and 4th. Day two showed similar results, with Ana Kobal in 2nd, Honkonen in 3rd, and Kristiina Rove 4th again.
The nordic events in Red River saw domination from the University of Utah men’s team lead by the 2012 NCAA Champion, Miles Havlick (pictured left). “Racing in New Mexico is always a challenge due to the high elevation of 9800ft” said Havlick, who won both the classical and freestyle events. Havlick missed the races in Red River two seasons ago due to illness, so this was his first go on these high altitude courses. “I didn't really know what to expect, so I just put my head down and raced as hard as I could, and it turned out pretty well,” said the modest winner. The Utah men placed all 4 in the top 7, which is quite an accomplishment with such a competitive RMISA field.”
On the women’s side, the CU Buffalinas stole the show with the powerful duo of Joanne Reid and Eliska Hajkova. Reid has remarkably won every RMISA race this season, except for one where she finished third. Rose Kemp put in a 3rd and a 5th for Utah, but in the end Colorado finished on top, only 13 points ahead of Utah.
