The first WSCU Mountain Sports Nordic skiing competition of the 2013 collegiate season was held at Snow Mountain Ranch near Winter Park, CO, this past weekend.
The US Air Force Academy hosted the event and WSCU skiers competed in 5k freestyle and 15k classic races. Chris Lange led WSCU Mountain Sports placing 4th in the freestyle, while Sage Smith was 9th. In the 15k classic event, Lange was 3rd and Smith took 10th. After the final race on Sunday, Smith remarked, “Both courses were a lot of fun. Some extreme cold over the weekend posed a challenge, but you just have to get out in it. The races here at Snow Mountain Ranch are a good start to the season.”
Lange added, “All together I felt like it was a great first weekend of racing for the team, and we are all looking forward to putting up some good results on the (Grand) Mesa.” Lange also serves as the Nordic Team’s president.
Next up in the Rocky Mountain Conference of the US Collegiate Skiing Association (USCSA) is the Colorado Mesa University Invitational high up on the Grand Mesa January 26-27. Skiers will contest in 1k elimination sprints, as well as a very challenging 10k classic race.
WSCU Pushing through the burn.
