The ski team vans were not packed with juniors and seniors last night, but confidence and optimism were in good supply as the ski team headed north to Sugarloaf, Maine for its first NCAA carnival race of the year.
Although the team lost a number of veteran skiers this year, preseason results place Dartmouth among the best in the nation.
Alpine skier Jean-Pierre Daigneault '97 gave the best collegiate and non-collegiate skiers in the East a glimpse of the future, skiing to four victories in individual competition already this winter. "We can ski with the best Eastern collegiate teams any day of the week," Daigneault said.
Andy Martin '96 and captain Jay Nohl '94 are the only returning skiers on the men's alpine squad.
Nohl said he does not worry about the inexperience on the team. "Making the adjustment to carnival racing hasn't been much of a problem for anyone in the past," said Nohl, who won the giant slalom at Dartmouth's Winter Carnival last year.
Youth is also evident on the Nordic men's team.
Men's Nordic skier Cory Smith '96 surprised everyone in the preseason by turning in some fast times in time-trials against the rest of the Dartmouth squad and other college racers, including skiers from eastern powerhouse University of Vermont.
The men's Nordic team lost nine skiers to graduation last spring, but Smith still feels they can compete with the best. "We hope to be at least second in the east," Smith said.
Captain Todd Grover '94 provides experienced leadership for the Nordics. Grover is the only member of the team who raced at last year's NCAA championships.
Sophomore standouts Christa Burtscher and Dawn Elliot's decisions not to ski, coupled with a knee injury to Julie Kanarowski '95, leave the team short on depth and experience.
First-year women's alpine coach Dave Gregory says there is still a lot of potential in the team if everyone stays healthy.
Strong results from Captain Jesse James '95, Nora Stowell '96 and Pam Finnerty '97 in the preseason might translate into strong carnival finishes, Gregory said.
In her fourth season as the Nordic women's coach, Cami Thompson said she predicts nothing but great results from her team. "We should be a solid third, but if everyone performs on any given day we could definitely break into the top two," Thompson said.
Co-captains Jane Eckels '94 and Liza Kiesler '94 return to the trails for the Nordic women. Keisler raced for the Big Green in the NCAA championships last season, and both Eckels and Rose Kasowski '95 raced in the 1992 championships.
University of Vermont is the only real threat to Dartmouth in overall scores. "UVM's going to be tough," said Ruff Patterson, director of skiing and men's Nordic coach.
Dartmouth should challenge UVM in individual events, but the Catamounts' all-around depth might give them the edge in overall scoring, Patterson said. "Nothing is for sure until we get up to Sugarloaf and race," he added.
Instate rival University of New Hampshire is host of the opening carnival that runs from Friday to Sunday.
