ASPEN -- Tobias Kogler hit the podium to open the 2020 season for the University of Denver Ski Team as a somewhat abbreviated alpine team took part in the RMISA Giant Slalom Qualifier races Friday at Ikon Pass' Aspen Highlands Ski Resort.  
The races are a prelude to the Pioneer's own Denver Invitational, which begins Saturday with another set of GS races and concludes Sunday with slalom action, co-hosted with the Aspen Valley Ski Club.  

"Although not reflected on the scoreboard, today was a solid start for our team," Alpine head coach Andy LeRoy said. "They put in the work to be successful and tried their best on each run, our true speed will come soon enough. I want to thank Aspen Valley Ski Club for helping us host this series. They are one of the most professional and organized clubs in the country and it's a privilege to be sharing their track for our invite." 

With four skiers, Simon Fournier and Jett Seymour on the men's side and Katie Hensien and Amelia Smart on the women's side, competing oversees in World Cup and Europa Cup races, DU's contingent in Aspen is rather limited. Add on minor health issues with seniors Andrea Komsic and Storm Klomhaus, and the results from today are not surprising.

Kogler was a bright spot for the Pioneers, however, and on the strength of the second-fastest second run in the field, he moved up from seventh to third to hit the podium. For Kogler, it's his seventh career podium appearance and 14th appearance in the top five in 22 career finishes.  

Tristan Lane also had a solid performance, finishing 14th, giving him his second career top 20 finish. Those were the two finishers for the men's side, as Colby Lane did not finish the first run and Cole Puckett and Nick Santaniello both did not finish their second runs.  

On the women's side, only two skiers started the race, both freshmen seeing their first collegiate action. Eleri Smart finished 15th and Reece Bell took home 26th.

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