Colorado, Denver, and Utah Set Early RMISA Tone in Loveland FISU Slaloms

Louison Accambray (CU). Photo courtesy of Colorado Athletics.

Colorado, Denver, and Utah Trade Blows at Loveland FISU Slalom Races

Two days of FISU slalom racing at Loveland Ski Area, CO produced elite collegiate skiing, razor-thin margins, and a clear early-season takeaway: the RMISA alpine race is already a three-team fight.

Across men’s and women’s slaloms on Jan. 12 and Jan. 13, the University of Utah, University of Denver, and University of Colorado each stamped authority in different ways. Utah delivered race-winning precision, Denver owned the women’s hill, and Colorado piled up points with unmatched depth.

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Men: Herland Sweeps, Colorado Stacks the Podium

Utah’s Johs Braathen Herland was untouchable at Loveland. The Norwegian swept both men’s slaloms, pairing technical discipline with controlled aggression to win on consecutive days and establish himself as the early standard in collegiate slalom.

Colorado repeatedly closed in behind him, placing three skiers inside the top four on Jan. 13 and denying Utah any chance at a podium sweep. The Buffaloes’ depth proved decisive in the team standings and signaled serious early-season strength.

Men’s Slalom — Jan. 12

• 1. Johs Braathen Herland — University of Utah — 1:29.59
• 2. Stanley Buzek — University of Colorado — +0.70
• 3. Fabio Allasina — University of Colorado — +1.41
• 4. Lucas Ellis — Colorado Mountain College — +1.46
• 5. Pierick Charest — University of Utah — +1.75

Men’s Slalom — Jan. 13

• 1. Johs Braathen Herland — University of Utah — 1:25.12
• 2. Stanley Buzek — University of Colorado — +0.03
• 3. Filip Wahlqvist — University of Colorado — +0.26
• 4. Fabio Allasina — University of Colorado — +0.78
• 5. Lucas Ellis — Colorado Mountain College — +0.95

Buzek opened his collegiate career with back-to-back runner-up finishes, while Wahlqvist rebounded from a crash on the opening day to post the fastest first run on Tuesday. Allasina added two top-five results to begin his NCAA career, reinforcing Colorado’s early depth advantage.

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Women: Denver Owns the Hill

If Utah controlled the men’s races, the University of Denver dominated the women’s slaloms.

Sara Rask swept both races with composed, mistake-free skiing, while Mia Hunt and Elisabeth Creighton added podium and near-podium results that powered Denver’s team scoring and kept the Pioneers locked in a tight battle with Colorado.

Women’s Slalom — Jan. 12

• 1. Sara Rask — University of Denver — 1:29.20
• 2. Louison Accambray — University of Colorado — +0.46
• 3. Elisabeth Creighton — University of Denver — +0.85
• 3. Mia Hunt — University of Denver — +0.85
• 5. Ella Bromee — University of Alaska Anchorage — +0.91

Women’s Slalom — Jan. 13

• 1. Sara Rask — University of Denver — 1:29.70
• 2. Mia Hunt — University of Denver — +0.51
• 3. Louison Accambray — University of Colorado — +0.94
• 4. Ella Bromee — University of Alaska Anchorage — +1.13
• 5. Erica Lynch — University of Nevada — +1.91

Colorado countered Denver’s wins with consistency. Louison Accambray earned podium finishes on both days, while Paige DeHart and Alexa Brownlie added key scoring performances deeper in the field.

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Team Picture: Margins Already Razor Thin

Through four alpine races, the standings underline just how close the early RMISA race has become:

• Colorado leaned on men’s depth and consistent women’s scoring
• Denver controlled the women’s races and stayed within striking distance
• Utah delivered the most dominant men’s individual performance of the week

The opening slalom block ended with Colorado and Denver separated by a single point overall, with Utah firmly in the mix behind Herland’s sweep.

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What’s Next

The RMISA circuit shifts to Aspen Highlands for giant slalom races on Wednesday and Thursday, split between the Denver and Colorado Invitationals. With Denver’s women, Colorado’s depth, and Utah’s race-winning form, the GS races loom as the first major separator of the collegiate season.