Crimson Skiers Finish Tenth In Colorado Invitation Meet

A series of ankle injuries and an epidemic of flu landed the Crimson ski team in last place in the National Intercollegiate Ski Championships. Ten teams of the best college skiers competed in the four-event meet which was held at Arapahoe Basin near Denver on March 31, April 1, and 2.

The varsity skiers placed last in the downhill, slalom, and jump, but were able to pull themselves up to eighth position in the cross-country. Dartmouth, only other Eastern entry, won the meet. The Green skiers, headed by Brooks Dodge and Colin Stewart, dominated the downhill and slalom, while second-place Denver University won the cross-country, and third-place Washington University the jumping.

Ankle Sprains for Lund and Weaver

Skiddy Lund, cross-country and jumping entry, sprained his ankle in pre-race practice and was unable to compete. Jim Weaver entered all four events despite a sprained ankle. As a result of the injuries the Crimson fielded a curious mixture for a team.

In the downhill, John Houser did well by finishing 18th. Gordon Abbott ran a brilliant race but sprained his ankle just before the end and was unable to compete later.

Jerry Porter took 19th place in the slalom, with Houser 31st, Captain Bill Wasserman 35th, and John Hart, normally a cross-country and jump man, 49th. Harvard could field only a three-man team in the 50-meter jump. Hart jumped 110 and 105 feet to place 28th. Wasserman and Captain-elect Jim Weaver followed in 35th and 40th positions respectively.

Ski Association Formed

Wasserman came in 15th in the cross-country, and Weaver, weakened by influenza, placed 33rd. Porter, normally a downhill-slalom skier was 35th, and Hart, bothered by an equipment mixup, was 40th.

The outstanding achievement of the meet was the establishment of a provisional National Intercollegiate Ski Association, first of its kind, in a meeting of representatives from the competing colleges. This independent organization will standardize the competitive rules and sponsor the annual championships.