As the darkness of night began to give way to daytime, Eldora Mountain Ski & Snowboard Club (EMSC) and coaches were already busy setting slalom gates on the LaBelle Dame run at Eldora Mountain Resort in preparation for Nederland Alpine Ski Team’s home ski race. In addition to closing the run to recreational skiers and boarders on Friday, January 20, to accommodate the race, Eldora also provides terrain for the team to train during the season. Without the generosity of Eldora Mountain Resort through these many years, none of it would be possible.

Having already competed in a giant slalom at Keystone and a slalom at Beaver Creek earlier in the month, the skiers were beginning to hit their stride and were eager to defend their snowy turf. Student athletes from Nederland High, Boulder Valley School District, and points beyond comprise the team of 61 members. Seven other teams from across Colorado would be present. Sixty three girls and 65 boys had registered for the event. Each of them would attempt to complete two runs down the slalom course with the combined time determining their finish order.

First down the mountain were the women. Team Captain Delia Knierim led the way with a scorching combined time of 1:44.48 and a firm fifth-place finish. It was her best result of the year. Her sister Hayley wasn’t far behind, securing ninth-place at 1:47.54. Speaking to the talent and depth of the team, the girls would also take 10th, 11th, 14th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th places.

In the men’s division, Dylan Kelly demonstrated nice technique screaming down the course in a combined time of 1:32.38. Good enough for fourth-place, it was his top showing of the year. Captain Nick Bigelow, Tanner Weiss, and sophomore Finn Mutuc took 13th, 14th, and 15th respectively.

Assistant Coach Josh Lynch noted that, “It is exciting that the Knierim twins, seniors from Boulder High, were our top two women finishers. Maz Finch, a senior who has been racing with the team for several years, has been a solid and consistent performer, and contributes to the team’s solid results. Dylan, Nick, Tanner, and Finn all still have at least another year with the team. We are looking forward to seeing their results this year and their development over the coming years.

As a whole, we are thrilled with the team’s results and progression. From our top performers to our athletes new to skiing, there has been progression over the course of the season, which is the result of hard work and commitment.”

Head Coach Krista Crabtree and assistant coaches Arthur Nelson and Josh Lynch are thankful for the ongoing support from Nederland High School and in particular Athletic Director Sean DePaula. They want to thank Eldora, and especially Brent Tregaskis, Sam Bass, and Thomas Ferland, for their ongoing support of the team and ski racing. They also would like to thank EMSC and Matt Tomasko, Eric Vogel, and Eric Stone for helping run the race. “Finally, thank you to all of the parent volunteers whose support helped us pull off the race.”

The Nederland Ski Team travels to Ski Cooper January 27 for a giant slalom, Loveland February 3 for a slalom, and Winter Park February 10 for a slalom to wrap up the season. The State Championships take place February 16 & 17 at Copper Mountain at which Nederland Ski Team members Maz Finch, Marley Farrior, Isla Jones, Hayley Knierim, Lilly Mangham, Lydia Serbinin, Charlotte Marriott, Delia Knierim, Tanner Weiss, Aric Olson, Finn Mutuc, Cole Gjertson, Dylan Kelly, and Nick Bigelow are all presently qualified to compete.