Completed Event: Skiing versus 20K Freestyle (M) on March 8, 2025 , , 1st
Final Score
Skiing
1st
vs 20K Freestyle (M)
Sunday, January 12
Aspen, CO
All Day
University of Utah
vs
Slalom
Lien Earns First Career Win at Denver Invite, Skiing Continues to Lead Team Standings
1/12/2020 3:11 PM | Skiing
ASPEN, Colo. – Joachim Lien earned his first career victory in the slalom at the Denver Invitational on Sunday afternoon as the Utah ski team continues to lead the team standings at the meet.
Lien had previously finished second three times in his career. He has five career podium finishes.
"After my crash on Friday I was pretty beaten up and I have tried to ski for the team the last couple of days," Lien said. "It was a solid first run and I was ready to attack the second run for my first college win after a couple of second-place finishes last year. I made a big mistake at the bottom, and I thought the lead was gone. When I crossed the finish line I was just relieved that the first run was good enough to hold on to the lead. I am also super happy for my teammates who are starting off the season strong."
Utah leads the team standings over Denver, 317 to 306. Westminster College is third with 288 points with Colorado fourth (278).
In addition to Lien's win, Tomas Birkner had the best finish of his career with a seventh-place finish. Addision Dvoracek finished 11th with the three skiers combining for 85 points, tying for the race lead with Westminster. Fredrik Maurstad finished 18th, after skiing the second-fastest second run while Gustav Vøllo did not finish his second run.
For the women, Katie Vesterstein had her second career top five finish with a fifth-place run. Sona Moravcikova placed sixth, making her one of just three skiers in the RMISA to finish in the top 10 in every race this year. Eirin Engeset and Katie Parker did not finish their second runs after posting first runs in the top 10.
"Joachim set himself up well in the first run, the second run was a battle and he fought really hard," head alpine coach JJ Johnson said. "Tomas is skiing really well and has gotten to a really good mindset, which has been fun to watch. Addison has just had a day or two of slalom training after his injury and the bottom of the hill was difficult for all the guys and he skied conservatively to get to the finish and get a good result. We have been working a lot on slalom with Freddy and for him to be second on the second run was really exciting. For the women, Katie V's skis were too aggressive on the first run and she charged second run. Her slalom is always really good. This was Sona's first day of slalom skiing since November, so that was a great result for her. Katie P and Eirin both went out on the same gate on the second run but really showed speed on their first runs. It's been fun to see last year's freshman build on last year. Everyone is putting in the work and we have a good vibe going, which is trickling down and is fun to watch."
The alpine teams stay in Colorado for their next races, commencing with the Colorado Invitational at Eldora Mountain on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Lien had previously finished second three times in his career. He has five career podium finishes.
"After my crash on Friday I was pretty beaten up and I have tried to ski for the team the last couple of days," Lien said. "It was a solid first run and I was ready to attack the second run for my first college win after a couple of second-place finishes last year. I made a big mistake at the bottom, and I thought the lead was gone. When I crossed the finish line I was just relieved that the first run was good enough to hold on to the lead. I am also super happy for my teammates who are starting off the season strong."
Utah leads the team standings over Denver, 317 to 306. Westminster College is third with 288 points with Colorado fourth (278).
In addition to Lien's win, Tomas Birkner had the best finish of his career with a seventh-place finish. Addision Dvoracek finished 11th with the three skiers combining for 85 points, tying for the race lead with Westminster. Fredrik Maurstad finished 18th, after skiing the second-fastest second run while Gustav Vøllo did not finish his second run.
For the women, Katie Vesterstein had her second career top five finish with a fifth-place run. Sona Moravcikova placed sixth, making her one of just three skiers in the RMISA to finish in the top 10 in every race this year. Eirin Engeset and Katie Parker did not finish their second runs after posting first runs in the top 10.
"Joachim set himself up well in the first run, the second run was a battle and he fought really hard," head alpine coach JJ Johnson said. "Tomas is skiing really well and has gotten to a really good mindset, which has been fun to watch. Addison has just had a day or two of slalom training after his injury and the bottom of the hill was difficult for all the guys and he skied conservatively to get to the finish and get a good result. We have been working a lot on slalom with Freddy and for him to be second on the second run was really exciting. For the women, Katie V's skis were too aggressive on the first run and she charged second run. Her slalom is always really good. This was Sona's first day of slalom skiing since November, so that was a great result for her. Katie P and Eirin both went out on the same gate on the second run but really showed speed on their first runs. It's been fun to see last year's freshman build on last year. Everyone is putting in the work and we have a good vibe going, which is trickling down and is fun to watch."
The alpine teams stay in Colorado for their next races, commencing with the Colorado Invitational at Eldora Mountain on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Players Mentioned
Alpine
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Alpine
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Alpine
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