Great Lakes Wire

The NMU women's alpine ski team concluded the first day of competition at the USCSA Nationals in Lake Placid, New York, focusing on the giant slalom event. Ainsley Kirk led the Wildcats with a top-10 finish.

The Wildcats achieved a commendable second place as a team, recording a combined race time of 7:15.92. They trailed only behind Rocky Mountain College, which clocked a time of 6:54.27.

Ainsley Kirk, along with teammates Ella Wichert and Reagan Olli, earned 2nd Team All-American honors for their performances in the giant slalom.

Challenging weather conditions, including warm temperatures and rain, affected the course, resulting in 33 out of 130 skiers not finishing (DNF).

Kirk recorded times of 1:14.51 and 1:10.34 for an overall time of 2:24.85. She improved significantly after her first run where she was placed 22nd, advancing by twelve spots with her second run being the sixth-fastest among all competitors.

Wichert finished with times of 1:14.21 and 1:11.18 (totaling 2:25.39), while Reagan Olli posted times of 1:13.01 and 1:12.67 (totaling 2:25.68), placing them in the 12th and 13th positions respectively.

Tommie Springer and Emily Creek both did not finish; Springer fell during her second run despite being seventh after her first run, just two seconds off the podium.