MCCALL, Idaho –
Elyse Burandt overcame a three second deficit after Run 1 to claim her first Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference victory, helping the College of Idaho to a second-place team finish in the opening giant slalom qualifier of the 2018 season at Brundage Mountain.
The junior sat in fifth-place after the morning circuit, but blitzed the Alpine Run in the afternoon – winning the session by over two seconds and clocking a combined time of 2:13.79 – over a half-second clear of British Columbia's Samantha Boughner (2:14.45).
C of I finished with a team time of 6:56.67 – a second behind team champ UBC (6:55.38) – but well ahead of third-place Washington (7:00.35), fourth-place Idaho (7:20.11) and fifth-place Washington State (7:30.98).
Beth Mixon was in position to earn her first gold medal – recording the fastest Run 1 time of the session. However, the junior clocked the fourth-fastest time of Run 2 and settled for the bronze (2:14.46).
Three other Lady Yotes finished in the Top-20 –
Dana Randolph placing 16th (2:28.42),
Erin Skufca in 18th (2:33.05) and
Emily Gahn in 19th (2:34.00). Defending NWCSC Skier of the Year,
Mary Totten, was unable to finish her first run of the day.
The seven teams will compete again over a giant slalom course tomorrow, with the opening run set for 10 a.m.
RESULTS: Team - British Columbia 6:55.38, College of Idaho 6:56.67, Washington 7:00.35, Idaho 7:20.11, Washington State 7:30.98, Oregon 8:06.53, Whitman 9:02.15; C of I - 1 -
Elyse Burandt (2:13.79), 3 -
Beth Mixon (2:14.46), 16 -
Dana Randolph (2:28.42), 18 -
Erin Skufca (2:33.05), 19 -
Emily Gahn (2:34.00), DNF -
Mary Totten (Run 1).
