GEORGETOWN, Colo.—Colorado's Magdalena Luczak and Leon Nikic of UAA picked up individual slalom wins as teams from the RMISA kicked off back-to-back days of slalom races on Monday in the Denver Invitational.
Colorado's Magdalena Luczak put on a dominating performance on the women's side, posting a runner-up first run before laying down the top mark in the afternoon for a winning total of 1:37.94. Kaja Norbye of Utah took silver after winning the first run and Sara Rask from Denver rounded out the podium in third place.
All of Denver's scoring came in the top-nine as the Pioneers claimed the Nos. 3-4 and 9 spots on the first day of their home meet. Colorado put a pair in the top-five with Caroline Jones joining Luczak, while the Utah pair of Norbye plus Madison Hoffman were together in the top-six among 28 total finishers.
Nikic skied to the top of the podium in the men's event, winning the first run and turning in a total time of 1:36.74. Colordao's Filip Wahlqvist and Mikkel Solbakken of Utah claimed silver and bronze, respectively, headlining a top-10 that included three skiers from the host Pioneers. Westminster's Roman Frost had the top time in the men's second run, climbing to sixth place after Frost sat outside the top-15 at the break.
Teams will be right back at it on Tuesday, Feb. 6, with another slalom race at Loveland Ski Area. The Nordic portion of the Denver Invitational will then take place on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9-10, at Maloit Park in Minturn, Colorado. A 10K classic is set for Friday with a 5K freestyle capping off the Denver Invitational on Saturday.
TEAM STANDINGS (through 2-of-8 events): 1. Denver 170; 2. Colorado 155.5; 3. Utah 153; 4. UAA 128; 5. Westminster 108; 6. Montana State 95.5; 7. Nevada 64; 8. CMC 47.
MEN'S SLALOM #1 TOP 10 (38 finishers): 1. Leon Nikic, UAA; 2. Filip Wahlqvist, CU; 3. Mikkel Solbakken, UU; 4. Thomas Hoffman, DU; 5. Wilhelm Normannseth, UU; 6. Roman Frost, WM; 7. Christian Soevik, DU; 8. Trey Seymour, DU; 9. Jamie Casselman, MSU; 10. Loic Chable, WM.
WOMEN'S SLALOM #1 TOP 10 (28 finishers): 1. Magdalena Luczak, CU; 2. Kaja Norbye, UU; 3. Sara Rask, DU; 4. Nora Brand, DU; 5. Caroline Jones, CU; 6. Madison Hoffman, UU; 7. Ella Bromee, UAA; 8. Carlotta Marcora, WM; 9. Liv Moritz, DU; 10. Ainsley Proffit, UAA.
| Date | Race |
|---|---|
| Feb. 5 | Women's Slalom No. 1 |
| Feb. 5 | Men's Slalom No. 1 |
| Feb. 6 | Women's Slalom No. 2 |
| Feb. 6 | Men's Slalom No. 2 |
| Feb. 9 | Women's 10K Classic |
| Feb. 9 | Men's 10K Classic |
| Feb. 10 | Women's 5K Freestyle |
| Feb. 10 | Men's 5K Freestyle |