While most students view Winter Carnival as a welcome release from the midterm crunch, Big Green sking won't have time to relax as they play host to the Dartmouth Carnival races.
With the national title skiing title up for grabs, the Big Green skiers hope to capitalize on peak-season action at home and garner momentum heading into the NCAA championships.
With three carnival victories already under their belts, things seem to be falling into place for the skiers this season. Big Green's recipe for success stems from the mix of fresh newcomers and returning veterans.
The team will seek to draw on the depth of its roster this year to edge out the competition, said Glenn Randall '09, who won the men's 10-kilometer freestyle race at the 2008 NCAA skiing championships in Bozeman, Mont.
"I think we brought together some of the best talent this season," he said. "And we still have the potential to get even better."
Nils Koons '11, Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess '09 and Patrick O'Brien '10 join Randall on the cross-country side, each having already posted strong results during the opening carnivals. Koons currently tops the NCAA qualifier list, while Blackhorse-von Jess, O'Brien, and Randall claim the fourth, fifth and sixth spots, respectively.
Returning veterans Ben True '08 and Ben Koons '08 will join the men's Nordic side following a one-year hiatus.
Koons, a two-time All-East skier, needed to recuperate from knee surgery, while True, a two-time All-American, spent his time off training with the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Olympic Development Team.
The women's cross-country team, led by Hannah Dreissigacker '09, looks to defend its NCAA title in the 15-kilometer Classic event. Ida Sargent '11 and Rosie Brennan '11 add to the squad's strong core, each having already tallied impressive numbers in all of classic and freestyle events this season.
The women's alpine team, led by Hayley Jones '10 and Christine Roberts '10, has overwhelmed the field thus far, delivering victories during earlier carnivals at Bates College and the University of New Hampshire.
Following a successful freshman debut on the alpine team last year, Courtney Hammond '11 showcased her depth and consistency, topping the podium at every Carnival this season.
Despite Dartmouth's string of strong performances, Randall said he believes the best is yet to come for the team.
"I think everyone feels we still have a lot more to give," he said. "I'm sure that by the end of the season, we will be skiing even faster."
The men's alpine team has had their share of struggles throughout the season, finally prevailing with a third-place finish at the UNH Carnival.
With a wave of nine incoming skiers, the team has yet to realize their potential for this year, Randall said.
"When I talk to the Alpine skiers, they say that they're on the edge of getting even faster and doing even better," he said.
The team could use a home-turf victory as a springboard for a strong showing at the EISA Championships in February and the NCAA Championships later this year in March, said Randall, though he added that this weekend's Carnival is not as important as other coming events.
"Honestly, we look at Carnivals as practices," he said. "We don't focus on streaks or strings of wins or loses. Our main focus is to be seen well at the NCAA."
Although most students will still be asleep on Carnival weekend mornings, Randall said he hopes some will make the short hike to the ski trails where the cross country events are being held.
"I always get excited whenever I get the chance to race at Dartmouth," he said. "The student attendance has tapered off over the years. It'd be nice to bring it back."
The weekend events will get underway on Friday with the Nordic Classic and the Alpine Giant Slalom. The competition wraps up on Saturday with the Nordic Freestyle and the Alpine Slalom races.
The Alpine races will take place at the Dartmouth Skiway, while the Nordic races will take place at Oak Hill ski area.
