Day One at Williams College's Eastern Collegiate Carnival

WILLIAMSTOWN — Dartmouth took an early lead Friday at the Williams College carnival, thanks in part to another win by its women’s Nordic team.

Even in the absence of Bogner points leader Ida Sargent, Dartmouth women were able to secure the win in Friday’s five kilometer freestyle event at Prospect Mountain. Big Green skier Susan Dunklee earned the top podium position in Friday’s race, followed by teammate Elsa Sargent and the University of New Hampshire’s Sarah Wright. Williams skier Alice Nelson matched her season-high finish of fifth place today on her home course.

In women’s team standings Dartmouth (92 points) beat out the University of New Hampshire (82 points) and the University of Vermont (71 points), who placed second and third, respectively.

Men’s Nordic racing Friday was dominated by Colby College whose top three finishers, Nick Kline, Matt Briggs, and Wyatt Fereday, finished second, fourth, and seventh, respectively. Sylvan Ellefson of Bates took the win Friday, his first of the season, and Tim Reynolds of Middlebury skied to an impressive third place.

Colby men scored 89 points Friday, placing them ahead of Bates and Dartmouth, who tied for second with 79 points. Of note, Bates’ second place finish Friday was it’s highest thus far this season. Middlebury finished just one point behind in fourth.

Alpine racing Friday took place at Jiminy Peak, where late starters faced strong winds and increasing snowfall.

The University of Vermont prevailed in the women’s race, thanks to its top three finishers placing first (Lyndee Janowiak), second (Jilyne McDonald), and fourth (Kara Crow). Friday’s win was Janowiak’s second of the season, and first in the giant slalom event. Michelanne Shields of Dartmouth skied her way to third place. Current Bogner points leader in the giant slalom event, Courtney Hammond, finished fifth.

In women’s team scoring the University of Vermont tallied 95 points, which placed them ahead of Dartmouth (80 points) and Middlebury (75 points).

Williams skier Charles Christianson took the win Friday in the men’s giant slalom, but it wasn’t enough to help his team finish higher than fourth. Christianson finished ahead of the University of New Hampshire’s Sean McNamara who placed second, and the University of Vermont’s Greg Hardy. Hardy was the first of three consecutive Catamounts, who placed third through fifth (Zachary Brown in fourth and Erik Gilbert in fifth). William Ford of the University of New Hampshire matched his season-high fifth place finish in a tie with Gilbert.

The men’s team victory Friday went to the University of Vermont (89.5 points), who narrowly edged the University of New Hampshire (87.5 points). Middlebury finished third with 73 points.

After the first day of racing, Dartmouth (309 points) is trailed by Middlebury (292 points) and the University of Vermont (288 points).

Williams Carnival racing continues Saturday with the Nordic 3 by 1.5 kilometer sprint relays at Prospect Mountain and the slalom event at Jiminy Peak.

Information about the remaining schedule, as well as up-to-date results and team standings can be found at www.eisaskiing.org.

Source: EISA

Photo Courtesy of Kris Dobie (www.krisdobie.smugmug.com).