January 27, 2010

Late last night, University of Denver coach Andy LeRoy sent an e-mail update to fans and friends of DU skiing. Of course, LeRoy covered results from his entire team’s 2009-10 results to date, but the most  compelling section of the letter was saved for information concerning Norwegian phenom Leif Kristian Haugen.

“I received word late this evening,” LeRoy wrote, “that Leif Haugen has officially been named to the 2010 Olympic team and will represent his home country of Norway next month in Vancouver.”

Haugen’s feat is a tremendous accomplishment by any measure, but particularly impressive considering he’s been on the NCAA circuit for the past two seasons.

This year, Haugen has been splitting time between North America and World Cup stops in Europe, performing exceptionally well on both sides of the Atlantic. He scored points in each of his first four World Cup GS starts and finished first or second in each of his RMISA carnival starts.

More news to follow.

Photo: Haugen at 2009 NCAA champs in Sunday River, Maine
Credit: University of Denver skiing