UAA’s Georgia Burgess, a senior making her fourth appearance at the NCAA Ski Championships, skied to a career-best finish Wednesday in Franconia, New Hampshire.
Burgess claimed 11th place in the women’s giant slalom race, improving on her previous-best finishes of 17th place, in the slalom as a freshman and the giant slalom as a sophomore. She was one spot away from All-America honors.
A biology major from Calgary, Burgess was in 10th place after the first run.
“Gotta give credit to Georgia,” UAA coach Sparky Anderson said in a release from the school. “She’s been battling injuries all season and really put it out there today. I know she wasn’t comfortable but skied really well and just missed an All-American result.”
Her finish was the bright spot for the Seawolves, whose next-best finish came from senior Rebecca Fiegl, who was 19th. Senior Lu Djurestaal finished 24th.
In the men’s giant slalom, junior Didrik Nilsen placed 21st, senior Michael Soetaert was 23rd and Moro Bamber, who started 33rd, finished 25th. Nilsen clocked the 13th-fastest time in the second run.
“Quality GS has eluded us this season, and today was no different,” Anderson said. “Good sections but small mistakes killed us today. We’ll do what we’ve done all season. Shake this off, employ the short memory, and get after it in slalom.”
Competition continues Thursday with cross-country races. Alpine skiers return to action Friday for slalom races.