Nordic Ski Teams Shine at Dartmouth Carnival Despite Challenging Conditions
A strong performance at the Dartmouth Carnival this weekend saw the Nordic ski teams achieve notable results, with the women’s team securing their best finish of the season and overcoming a key rival. The competition, held in Hanover, New Hampshire, took place amid frigid temperatures and presented challenges for both the men’s and women’s squads.
The women’s team delivered a standout performance on Friday in the 7.5k classic interval start, finishing in 5th place overall. This result marked a significant milestone, as they bested the Bowdoin women’s team for the first time this year. Leading the charge was Lydia Kraker, who achieved a career-best 17th place finish.
Kraker was closely followed by teammates Lola Villafranco in 20th place and Natalie O’Brien in 21st. Margo Nightingale also demonstrated strong form, narrowly missing a top-30 finish with a 32nd place result.
Men’s Team Faces Adversity, Still Achieves Top-30 Finishes
The men’s team faced a more difficult weekend, hampered by illness among several key skiers. This resulted in a team score lower than in previous weeks. Despite the setbacks, the team demonstrated resilience, securing three top-30 finishes. James Underwood led the men, finishing in an impressive 10th place. He was supported by Ben Lewis in 20th and Matous Matousek in 28th. Ellis Slover also performed admirably, finishing just outside the top 30 in 31st place.
The Dartmouth Carnival continues to be a crucial event in the Nordic skiing calendar, providing a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and compete against top teams. The women’s team’s breakthrough performance signals a positive trajectory for the remainder of the season, while the men’s team’s determination in the face of adversity underscores their competitive spirit.
Women’s results
Men’s results
