Completed Event: Skiing versus 20K Freestyle (M) on March 8, 2025 , , 1st
Final Score
Skiing
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vs 20K Freestyle (M)
Seven Alpine Newcomers Prep for 2024 Season with Utah Ski Team
8/29/2023 12:52 PM | Skiing
Talented group includes 2021 NCAA men’s giant slalom champion Mikkel Solbakken
SALT LAKE CITY – University of Utah head alpine ski coach JJ Johnson introduced seven newcomers to the team on Tuesday, as the Utes count down the days to the 2024 season.
Transfer Mikkel Solbakken of nearby Westminster joins Utah after winning the 2021 individual NCAA championship in men's giant slalom, while the Utes also welcome freshmen Celia Abad, Melanie Dahlberg, Maddie Kaiserman, Kaila Lafreniere, Sindre Myklebust and Jay Poulter.
"Our incoming student-athletes have ignited a spark of excitement throughout this group," said Johnson. "Their varying backgrounds and racing experience will add instant speed and a work ethic on and off the snow. We are excited to see what they can do athletically, and more importantly, how they grow as people."
Quick hits follow on each of the newest members of the Utah Ski Team. Information on the Nordic team's latest additions is available by clicking here.
Celia Abad – Jaca, Spain - Female Alpine Ski Team (FAST)
Abad on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because they have one of the best college ski teams in the U.S. It was an opportunity to compete at a high level while receiving a good education."
Melanie Dahlberg - Helsingborg, Sweden - Landskrona Ski Club
Dahlberg on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because of the beautiful city and nature close to campus, as well as the very good reputation of the ski team and the university."
Maddie Kaiserman – Park City, Utah – Park City Ski & Snowboard
Kaiserman on the U: "It was really a no-brainer for me to choose the University of Utah. I'm from the area, and truly couldn't think of a better place to grow up, live and get an education. And not to mention, skiing for the U has been a dream of mine since I was a young racer, so that was definitely a huge bonus!"
Kaila Lafreniere – Whistler, B.C. - Team Quebec and Belle Neige
Lafreniere on the U: "It has always been a dream for me to compete in the NCAA, and to ski in Park City. Coming to Utah allows me to do both."
Sindre Myklebust – Sogndal, Norway - TrønderAlpin, Oppdal Skigymnas and Sogndal Il
Myklebust on the U: "I have always been told that if I were ever going to college, Utah was the place to be. That, combined with a beautiful city and knowing Gustav Vøllo from my time skiing in Hemsedal (Norway), made it an easy decision. After some good talks with JJ Johnson, I was packing my bags for Utah. I am really looking forward to skiing for Utah and hope we can achieve great things together."
Jay Poulter – Stratton, Vt. – U.S. Ski Team (Alpine C)
Poulter on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because of the elite level within the team and the world-class training venue only 20 minutes away."
Mikkel Solbakken – Bekkestua, Norway - Westminster
Solbakken on the U: "After experiencing an excellent undergraduate program at Westminster College and four years of enjoyable skiing with their ski team in Salt Lake City, I decided to embrace a new challenge and pursue further growth as a student and skier for University of Utah. With the historic performance of the Utah Ski Team and the convenience of staying nearby, choosing the University of Utah was an easy decision to foster both academic and athletic development."
Follow the Utah Ski Team on social media @utahskiteam.
Transfer Mikkel Solbakken of nearby Westminster joins Utah after winning the 2021 individual NCAA championship in men's giant slalom, while the Utes also welcome freshmen Celia Abad, Melanie Dahlberg, Maddie Kaiserman, Kaila Lafreniere, Sindre Myklebust and Jay Poulter.
"Our incoming student-athletes have ignited a spark of excitement throughout this group," said Johnson. "Their varying backgrounds and racing experience will add instant speed and a work ethic on and off the snow. We are excited to see what they can do athletically, and more importantly, how they grow as people."
Quick hits follow on each of the newest members of the Utah Ski Team. Information on the Nordic team's latest additions is available by clicking here.
Celia Abad – Jaca, Spain - Female Alpine Ski Team (FAST)
- Skied in her native Spain with the Female Alpine Ski Team (FAST).
- Won gold in alpine combined and finished third in Super G at the 2023 World University Games in Lake Placid.
- Spanish national champion in Super G.
- Earned a spot on the Spanish National Development Team.
- Skied to seven podiums in FIS competitions
Abad on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because they have one of the best college ski teams in the U.S. It was an opportunity to compete at a high level while receiving a good education."
Melanie Dahlberg - Helsingborg, Sweden - Landskrona Ski Club
- Skied with the Landskrona Ski Club.
- Represented her native Sweden during the 2023 Junior World Ski Championships.
- Also raced on the European Cup circuit during the 2022-23 season.
- Two-time Swedish National Champion in slalom.
Dahlberg on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because of the beautiful city and nature close to campus, as well as the very good reputation of the ski team and the university."
Maddie Kaiserman – Park City, Utah – Park City Ski & Snowboard
- Skied with Park City Ski & Snowboard.
- Finished 16th in the 2023 Nor-Am Cup standings for giant slalom.
- Member of the U.S. Ski Team Alpine National Development Group (NDG).
- Named 2023 Skier of the Year with her club program.
- Also competed in soccer before turning her focus to ski racing.
Kaiserman on the U: "It was really a no-brainer for me to choose the University of Utah. I'm from the area, and truly couldn't think of a better place to grow up, live and get an education. And not to mention, skiing for the U has been a dream of mine since I was a young racer, so that was definitely a huge bonus!"
Kaila Lafreniere – Whistler, B.C. - Team Quebec and Belle Neige
- Competed with Team Quebec and Belle Neige.
Lafreniere on the U: "It has always been a dream for me to compete in the NCAA, and to ski in Park City. Coming to Utah allows me to do both."
Sindre Myklebust – Sogndal, Norway - TrønderAlpin, Oppdal Skigymnas and Sogndal Il
- Finished 15th in slalom and 20th in GS at the 2023 FIS Junior World Ski Championships.
- Represented Norway in the 2020 Youth Olympic Games, where he finished sixth in GS.
- Had six victories in FIS races during the 2023 season.
- Eleven starts on the European Cup in 2022 and '23.
Myklebust on the U: "I have always been told that if I were ever going to college, Utah was the place to be. That, combined with a beautiful city and knowing Gustav Vøllo from my time skiing in Hemsedal (Norway), made it an easy decision. After some good talks with JJ Johnson, I was packing my bags for Utah. I am really looking forward to skiing for Utah and hope we can achieve great things together."
Jay Poulter – Stratton, Vt. – U.S. Ski Team (Alpine C)
- Two prior podiums in Nor-Am competition.
- Was with Stratton Mountain School and Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club prior to the U.S. Ski Team.
- Member of the U.S. Ski Team Alpine National Development Group in 2020-21.
- Two-time U.S. Junior National Champion.
- Also has played soccer and baseball.
Poulter on the U: "I chose the University of Utah because of the elite level within the team and the world-class training venue only 20 minutes away."
Mikkel Solbakken – Bekkestua, Norway - Westminster
- Spent the 2020-23 collegiate seasons at nearby Westminster.
- NCAA Individual Champion (GS - 2021)
- NCAA First Team All-American (GS – 2021; SL – 2023)
- NCAA Second Team All-American (GS – 2022)
- All-RMISA and USCSCA All-Academic Team honoree.
- Skied with Baerum Ski Club before Westminster.
Solbakken on the U: "After experiencing an excellent undergraduate program at Westminster College and four years of enjoyable skiing with their ski team in Salt Lake City, I decided to embrace a new challenge and pursue further growth as a student and skier for University of Utah. With the historic performance of the Utah Ski Team and the convenience of staying nearby, choosing the University of Utah was an easy decision to foster both academic and athletic development."
Follow the Utah Ski Team on social media @utahskiteam.
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