The Buffalo women set the tone early as Tilde Baangman and Astri Lunde battled throughout the 10K classic before finishing first and second, separated by just 2.3 seconds and more than a minute ahead of the rest of the field. Nina Schamberger added a 10th-place finish as the final team scorer, while Elena Grissom (12th), Selma Nevin (14th) and Sophie Spalding (19th) gave Colorado six skiers in the top 20.
The men matched the effort despite racing just three skiers. Storm Pedersen and Johannes Flaaten broke away from the field on the opening lap and held the lead throughout before sprinting to a 1-2 finish. Alaska Anchorage’s Corbin Carpenter closed late to finish just two seconds behind Flaaten in third, while Luka Riley placed 20th to complete team scoring.
Colorado scored 97 points in the women’s race and 91 in the men’s for 188 on the day, 30 ahead of second-place Denver (158). Combined with its alpine advantage from January, the Buffs extended their overall meet lead to 67 points, 541-474, with Utah third at 394.5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the women’s race, Baangman, Lunde and Schamberger established control early, with the trio at the front after the opening lap. Schamberger faded slightly but remained in position for team scoring, while Baangman and Lunde separated from the field.
On the second lap, Lunde briefly entered the finish lanes one lap early and was issued a warning, but the miscue only placed her behind Baangman entering the final lap and did not affect the team outcome as the two maintained their positions and finished first and second, well clear of the field.
The men followed with another aggressive start. Pedersen and Flaaten broke away on the opening lap and skied together for most of the race. The field gradually closed the gap, but the CU duo held off the charge and finished 1-2, with Carpenter just two seconds behind in third. Riley completed a steady race to secure the final scoring position.
UP NEXT
The 7.5K freestyle interval start races Sunday will close out the Denver Invitational. Nordic teams will then turn their attention to the CU Spencer James Nelson Memorial Invitational at Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, Feb. 13-14.
TEAM NOTES
- Colorado scored 97 points in the women’s race, 22 ahead of both Denver and Utah (75 each). Baangman scored 40 points, Lunde 37 and Schamberger 20.
- The men scored 91 points, with Pedersen (40), Flaaten (37) and Riley (14) contributing.
- Denver was second in the men’s race with 83 points and Alaska Anchorage third with 79.
- Colorado’s 188 points were 30 ahead of Denver and 47 ahead of third-place Alaska Anchorage.
- The Buffs now lead the meet with 541 points, 67 ahead of Denver (474) and 146.5 ahead of Utah (394.5) with two races remaining.
WOMEN’S NORDIC NOTES
- Tilde Baangman earned her second win of the season and first classic victory as a Buff. She has finished all 15 career races at Colorado in the top 10, including 13 top-five finishes, 10 podiums and two wins. She now owns 37 top-10 finishes in 39 career races, with 26 top fives, 21 podiums and six victories.
- Astri Lunde finished second for the second straight race and second straight classic event. She has three starts this season, all top six with two podiums.
- Nina Schamberger placed 10th and has finished in the top 16 in all six races this season, including five top-seven results and two podiums.
- Elena Grissom finished 12th for the second straight race and now has six straight top-20 finishes, five of those in the top 12.
- Selma Nevin placed 14th and has opened the season with six finishes of 17th or better. She has finished in the top 20 in all 20 career races.
- Sophie Spalding finished 19th for her third straight top-20 result to open the season and eighth of her career.
MEN’S NORDIC NOTES
- Storm Pedersen earned his first collegiate victory and second career podium. After opening the season 19th and 14th, he has now recorded four straight top-five finishes and owns a podium in each discipline.
- Johannes Flaaten finished second for his best result of the season and third straight top-nine finish. He now has three career podiums, two in classic, all at the Denver Invitational.
- Luka Riley placed 20th for his ninth straight top-20 finish dating back to last season and now has 20 career top-20 results.
Team Scores Through 6 Events: 1. Colorado 541; 2. Denver 474; 3. Utah 394.5; 4. Alaska Anchorage 344; 5. Montana State 334; 6. Nevada 195.5; 7. Colorado Mountain 163; 8. Westminster 119; 9. Alaska Fairbanks 112.
Women’s 10K Classic: 1. Tilde Baangman, Colorado, 27:52.4; 2. Astri Lunde, Colorado, 27:54.7; 3. Synne Bollingmo, Denver, 29:08.6; 4. Katey Houser, Montana State, 29:09.1; 5. Sofia Pedersen, Utah, 29:14.0; 6. Witta Walcher, Utah, 29:49.0; 7. Eve-Ondine Duchaufour, Denver, 29:50.1; 8. Marit Flora, Alaska Anchorage, 29:52.1; 9. Felicie Chappaz, Montana State, 29:53.9; 10. Dashe McCabe, Alaska Anchorage, 29:58.7.
Other CU: 11. Nina Schamberger, 30:03.9; 12. Elena Grissom, 30:09.2; 14. Selma Nevin, 30:16.5; 19. Sophie Spalding, 31:01.6.
Men’s 10K Classic: 1. Storm Pedersen, Colorado, 25:59.8; 2. Johannes Flaaten, Colorado, 26:01.9; 3. Corbin Carpenter, Alaska Anchorage, 26:03.9; 4. Benjamin Dohlby, Alaska Fairbanks, 26:12.7; 5. Gavin Galyardt, Montana State, 26:18.5; 6. Simon Chappaz, Montana State, 26:20.3; 7. Eemil Juntunen, Denver, 26:24.8; 8. Hermod Bangstad, Alaska Anchorage, 26:30.2; 9. Philipp Moosmayer, Alaska Fairbanks, 26:34.6; 10. Grey Barbier, Montana State, 26:39.1.
Other CU: 20. Luka Riley, 26:46.0.
