Utah skiing: Utes open season at RMISA Qualifier

Eldora, Colo. • Jeremy Elliot turned in a second-place finish as the University of Utah ski team began its 2013 season in giant slalom races on the RMISA Alpine Qualifier here Monday.

"It was an exciting first day of racing in Loveland," Utah Head Alpine coach Jaka Korencan said. "Despite a few tactical mistakes, which resulted in crashes, our athletes had proven with great skiing that we will be extremely competitive this year. I am just so excited for Jeremy and Andy [Trow] to perform well in the second run and finished close to the top. They deserve it. Tim [Hribar] had a great day as well. I could not be more proud of this group of athletes. Their work ethic and willingness to learn and improve is just unparalleled and I am confident it will pay off very soon for all of them."

Elliot led the way during the opening day of the season with a second-place finish in his first race since the 2011 season. Elliot, a junior from Park City, Utah, has now finished on the podium in four races over his career.

"Today was my first college race back since injuring my knee and getting surgery last November, so I'm really happy to have finished on the podium," Elliot said. "The first run wasn't my best skiing and I was sitting in 15th place, so I knew I had to do something special on the second run. A lot of work has gone into preparing for these first races, and all of our coaches and staff have done an incredible job doing all they can for us to succeed. I'm also really happy for my teammate Andy Trow, who finished fourth in his first-ever college race. It's going to be a good year."

Trow posted an impressive debut performance during his Ute debut as he joined Elliot in the top five with a fourth-place effort. Trow was in the 14th slot after the first run of the day, but then came back nicely with the fifth-fastest time of the day in the second run to improve in the standings.

Hribar turned in a 13th-place finish for his sixth career top-20 effort, while both Ryan Wilson and Eian Sandvik both were unable to finish the second run. Wilson was slotted 13th after run No. 1, while Sandvik was 31st.

On the women's side, junior Jaime DuPratt turned in a 31st-place effort.