Denver Skiing Adds Eight to 2027 Alpine Squad

DENVER – University of Denver skiing unveiled today that the team has added eight newcomers to its alpine squad for the upcoming 2027 winter season.

"We're thrilled to welcome the newest alpine skiers to the Pioneer Family," said Joonas Rasanan, the Otto Tschudi Denver Head Alpine Skiing Coach. "This is a large and talented group of newcomers, and they have already shown that they fit into the culture that M.R. Hostetter and I have worked hard to build over the last several years. Their commitment to becoming the best skiers they can be, while also striving for success in the classroom, aligns perfectly with the standards set by our returning student-athletes. Since arriving on campus, they've already demonstrated a strong work ethic, and we can't wait to continue our pre-season training on snow in the near future."

The new Pioneer alpine skiers are graduate student-transfer Carmen Nielssen (Kongsberg, Norway) from Alaska Anchorage as well as first-year student-athletes Adrian Beauregard (Steamboat Springs, Colorado), Sebastian Bengston (Oslo, Norway), Carson Hume (Frisco, Colorado), Aada Kanto (Pori, Finland), Jesse Kertesz-Knight (Jasper, Alberta, Canada), Estelle Martin (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) and Solveig Moritz (Vail, Colorado).

Below is more information on each skier.

Adrian Beauregard | Men's Alpine | Steamboat Springs, Colorado
6-2 | Steamboat Springs H.S. | Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

Before Denver: Previously raced for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club … Was 27th in slalom at the Aspen 2026 Nor-Am Cup … Earned a pair of top-30 results at the 2026 U.S. Alpine National Championships in Vail by coming in 20th in slalom and 30th in giant slalom … Was third in super G and fourth in slalom at the 2024 U.S. National Junior Championships in Jackson Hole, Wyoming … Came in seventh in the slalom at the 2025 Austrian National Junior Championships … Raced in GS at the 2025 Denver Invitational at Copper Mountain as a non-collegiate invitee.

Personal: Has two brothers, including his twin Caman that is also on the Denver Ski Team … Graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2025 and was a member of the National Honor Society all four years … Intends to major in real estate and built environment at DU … His aunt, Heidi Bose, skied for New Mexico before competing on the World Cup for 12 years … Used to compete in ski jumping and Nordic combined … Wants to make the U.S. National Team and ski on the FIS World Cup … Hobbies include bow hunting, fishing and sailing.

Why DU: "I chose Denver because it offers the opportunity to combine academics and high level alpine skiing, with great facilities, staff, and teammates."

Sebastian Bengston | Men's Alpine | Oslo, Norway
6-3 | NTG Bærum | IL Heming

Before Denver: Also races for club IL Heming … Previously raced for Trønder Alpint and was a member of NTG Bærum's ski team from 2021-2024 … Has participated in more than 40 FIS Europa Cup races prior to coming to Denver, primarily in downhill and super G … Won super G at the Finnish National Championships in Hemsedal in April 2026 and recorded four top-10 finishes in that year's nationals … Placed second in downhill and eighth in super G at the 2025 Norwegian National Championships and earned his first top 10 at nationals in 10th in super G in 2024 … Picked up a bronze medal in the team combined and placed sixth in super G at the 2026 FIS Alpine Junior World Championships in Narvik, Norway … Also represented Norway at the 2025 Junior Worlds in Tarvisio, Italy, placing 10th in super G while coming in 12th in the team combined and 16th in downhill … Came in third in super G and fourth in giant slalom at the 2026 Norwegian National Junior Championship after being fourth in downhill and sixth in GS at the 2024 event … Entered 2026 ranked first in the world in super-G among 2005 birth years.

Personal: Has two older brothers … Graduated high school from NTG Bærum's in 2024 … Intends on majoring in business at DU … Wants to continue skiing and compete on the World Cup after college … Favorite movie is Batman The Dark Knight … Also enjoys playing tennis and pickleball.

Why DU: "I chose the University of Denver because I have heard many positive things about the university, both academically and athletically."

Carson Hume | Men's Alpine | Frisco, Colorado
5-10 | Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy | Ski and Snowboard Club Vail

Before Denver: Previously competed for Ski and Snowboard Club Vail from 2019-2026 … Was a member of Team Breckenridge from 2012-2019 and was also previously a member of the U.S. Alpine Development Team … Named SSCV's Downhill Racer of the Year during the 2024-25 season … Came in the top 12 in all four events at the 2023 U.S. National Junior Championship: placing ninth in both giant slalom and super G, 11th in downhill and 12th in slalom … Earned a fifth-place result in super G at the 2022 U.S. National Junior Championships … Placed 11th overall in men's slalom as an invitee at the 2024 Denver Invitational at Loveland Ski Area … Owns 14 previous top-20 finishes on the FIS Nor-Am Cup circuit, with a career best in seventh place in 2025 in both giant slalom in Lake Louise, Alberta, and super G in Kimberley, British Columbia … Placed 19th in men's slalom at the 2026 U.S. Alpine National Championships in Vail … Came in 11th in super G at the 2023 U.S. National Championships in Sun Valley.

Personal: Graduated high school from Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy in 2023 … Was named to VSSA's Honor Roll each year from 2019 to 2023 … Intends to major in real estate and built environment at DU … Enjoys all types of music … Favorite movie is Good Will Hunting … Also played soccer and hockey as a kid.

Why DU: "I chose the University of Denver for its tight-knit community of like-minded people and athletes. Seeing the team be so close and everyone including the coaches being highly motivated to do their best every day really drew me in."

Aada Kanto | Women's Alpine | Pori, Finland
5-7 | Mikkelin Nettilukio | Porin Slalomseura/Finland National Team

Before Denver: Previously competed for Porin Slalomseura and Finland National C-Team … Earned a bronze medal in slalom at the 2026 FIS Alpine Junior World Championships in Narvik, Norway … Also represented Finland at the 2025 Alpine Junior Worlds in Tarvisio, Italy … Made her FIS Alpine World Cup debut in women's slalom in Levi, Finland, on Nov. 16, 2024, and also raced in the World Cup slalom event at Levi on Nov. 15, 2025 … Has raced in 12 previous FIS Europa Cup events from 2023-2026 … Placed second in slalom at both the 2025 and 2026 Finland National Championships … Was fifth in giant slalom in 2025 Finnish Championships … Came in third in slalom, fifth in GS and sixth in downhill at the 2024 Finland Nationals … Has placed on the podium 12 times overall in her career at the Finnish National Championships, including winning giant slalom in 2022 … Also earned a fifth-place result in slalom at the 2026 German National Championships.

Personal: Full name is Aada Ottilia Kanto … Completed her high school degree online from Mikkelin Nettilukio in 2025 … Intends to major in psychology at DU … Hobbies include painting, thrift shopping and spending time with family and friends … Favorite TV shows are The Office and Sex and the City … Also previously competed in weightlifting where she won several national championship medals … Named the most positive person in her hometown in 2026 by the Pori Junior Chamber International.

Why DU: "I chose DU because of their awesome alpine team and school spirit."

Jesse Kertesz-Knight | Men's Alpine | Jasper, Alberta, Canada
6-2 | Jasper Junior/Senior H.S. | Alpine Canada

Before Denver: Has been a member of Alpine Canada since 2023 … Raced in 11 previous FIS Europa Cup events before joining the Pioneers, posting a career best in 17th in slalom on Jan. 19, 2025 in Berchtesgaden, Germany … Made his FIS World Cup debut in slalom on March 2, 2025 at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia … Won the Nor-Am Cup slalom events on Dec. 14, 2024 in Panorama, British Columbia, and Jan. 27, 2025 at Norquay, Alberta … Owns 15 previous top-10 finishes at the NorAms in his career … Finished fourth in the slalom season standings and eighth overall in the 2025 Nor-Am Cup … Won the Canadian National Championship in slalom and placed second in giant slalom in 2024 … Was third in slalom at the 2025 Canadian Nationals and picked up two top-five finishes in 2026 at his country's championship in Panorama, coming in third in slalom and fourth in GS … Represented Canada at both the 2023 and 2024 FIS Alpine Junior World Championships, helping the country finish fourth in the team parallel event in 2024 in Les Gets, France.

Personal: Mother also skied on the Canadian National Team … Has a younger brother … Intends to major in business at DU … Graduated from Jasper Junior/Senior High School in 2021 where he was named to the honor roll … Hobbies include golf, hockey, fishing, tennis and playing other sports … Favorite music is country, house and EDM … Favorite movie is Cars … Volunteered his time with his old ski club Banff Alpine Racers … Also played soccer, baseball, golf and tennis as a kid.

Why DU: "The University of Denver has a decorated history and an amazing ski program that I really wanted to be a part of. Doing my part in helping continue Denver's success is why I wanted to attend."

Estelle Martin | Women's Alpine | Montreal, Quebec, Canada
5-6 | Burke Mountain Academy | Alpine Canada

Before Denver: Member of Alpine Canada's development team since 2024 … Raced for Ski Quebec Alpine from 2023-2024 and began ski racing at Mont Sutton … Represented Canada at the FIS Alpine Junior World Championship in 2024, 2025 and 2026 … Helped Canada to a fourth-place finish in the team parallel in 2024 in Les Gets, France … Was 15th in the downhill at the 2024 Junior Worlds in Tarvisio, Italy, and placed 14th in the super G in 2026 in Narvik, Norway … Recorded four top-11 results in downhill and super G at the 2026 Nor-Am Cup Finals in Aspen … Has 10 previous top-five finishes in Nor-Am Cup events entering 2026-27, including a third-place result in downhill at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine, in March 2025 … Finished third overall in the Nor-Am Cup downhill season standings in 2025 … Ended up fifth in the Nor-Am Cup downhill standings in 2023-24 despite missing the end of the season with an injury … Placed second in giant slalom and sixth in super G at the 2026 Canadian National Championships … Came in fourth in GS at the 2025 Canadian Nationals … Made her FIS Europa Cup debut in giant slalom on Feb. 24-25, 2026 in Oppdal, Norway.

Personal: Has two older sisters … Graduated from Burke Mountain Academy in 2023 … Hobbies include biking, hiking, reading and traveling … Favorite music is house … Favorite movie is the Hunger Games … Favorite TV show is Money Heist … Also played soccer and flag football as a kid.

Why DU: "I chose the University of Denver because it offers me everything I was looking for both academically and athletically. I really like the quarter system, as it gives me flexibility to balance school with the Canadian team and the DU ski team. The ski team seems like an environment that is uplifting and a place where I can continue to develop as an athlete, student and person. I love the mountains there and the outdoor lifestyle."

Solveig Moritz | Women's Alpine | Vail, Colorado
5-5 | Vail Mountain School | Ski and Snowboard Club Vail

Before Denver: Placed seventh in super G at the 2026 U.S. Alpine National Championships, including finishing higher than sisters Liv and Kjersti … Finished seventh in both downhill events at the Nor-Am Cup in Aspen on March 18-19, 2026 … Owns two other top-10 results in the Nor-Am Cup downhill on Feb. 5, 2026 at Whiteface Mountain (10th) and March 12, 2025 at Sugarloaf (ninth) … Came in third in downhill and sixth in giant slalom at the 2025 U.S. National Junior Championships in Aspen … Has been competing internationally since she was 15 years old.

Personal: Is also a member of DU's division-I women's soccer team … Has three older sisters, including current DU teammate Liv Moritz and her twin, Kjersti, who is also a dual-sport athlete at Middlebury College and is on the U.S. Ski Team with Liv … Graduated from Vail Mountain School in 2026 … Intends to major in psychology at DU … Mother played rugby and skied at Dartmouth and earned a graduate degree in business from DU in 1999 … Father played club soccer at the University of Colorado … Has an aunt that was a three-sport-athlete in lacrosse, alpine skiing and field hockey at Middlebury College … Also has another aunt that played lacrosse at Middlebury … Family is part of the ownership group of the NWSL Denver Summit FC ... Favorite music includes R&B, chill, rap, international and house … Favorite TV show is How I Met Your Mother, and favorite movie is The Martian … Also enjoys playing pickleball and tennis with her family and hanging out with friends … Has volunteered internationally with Shoulder to Shoulder.

Why DU: "I chose DU because it allowed me to compete in my two sports at the highest level, while also creating an accommodating academic schedule and being close to the mountains and home."

Carmen Nielssen | Women's Alpine | Kongsberg, Norway
5-8 | NTG Bærum | Alaska Anchorage/Rælingen Skiklubb

Honors & Awards: 2025 First-Team All-American in Slalom … 2025 Second-Team All-American in Giant Slalom … 2024 Second-Team All-American in Slalom … 2025 All-RMISA Second Team – Women's Alpine … 2025 NCAA Elite 90 Award … 4x National Collegiate All-Academic Ski Team (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026) … 2025 CSC Academic All-America First Team … 2024 CSC Academic All-American Second Team … 2026 UAA Dresser Award (highest GPA in athletic department) … 2025 UAA Golden Dumbbell Award (work in the weightroom)

At Alaska Anchorage: Raced collegiately with the UAA Seawolves for four seasons from 2022-2026 … Earned a medical redshirt after missing most of 2026 with an injury … Owns 10 top-10s, 28 top-20s and has finished 33-of-42 career races … Owns five top-five placements and one podium—a runner-up finish in slalom at the 2025 Montana State Invitational … Finished two slalom races in 2026 at Loveland Ski Area where she placed eighth in the Denver Invitational and 18th in the Colorado Invite before getting hurt … Has raced at two NCAA Championships and owns three career All-American awards … Earned a pair of All-American accolades in 2025 in New Hampshire by placing fourth in giant slalom to garner a first-team honor and was selected to the second team in slalom after coming in 10th … Named a second-team All-American in 2024 by coming in eighth in slalom at the NCAAs in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Other: Has 18 victories and 40 FIS Podium finishes entering the 2027 season … Has taken part in seven FIS Europa Cup races in her career … Won silver in super-G for Team Norway at the 2023 FISU World University Games in Lake Placid, N.Y. … Represented Norway at the 2022 FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships in Panorama, B.C., Canada.

Before College: Owns five medals at the Norwegian National Championships: one gold, one silver and three bronze medals … Finished third in slalom at 2020 National Championships ... Won the Super-G at 2021 National Championships ... Finished third in slalom at 2021 National Championships ... Finished third in downhill and was runner-up in super-G at the 2022 National Championships … Picked up three medals at Norway's 2021 National Junior Championships, winning both slalom and alpine combined and placing second in downhill … Came in seventh in giant slalom at the 2020 Norwegian Junior Nationals … Also won multiple Norwegian age-group national championship titles between 2015 and 2021 … Named the best female student-athlete at her high school graduation at NTG Bærum … Recognized by Aftenposten as one of Norway's top alpine skiing talents in November 2021 … Named Rælingen Ski Club's Best Teammate Award in 2019.

Personal: Full Name is Carmen Sofie Lapingcao Nielssen … Has both an older sister and younger sister and a younger brother … Working on her Master of Science in Applied Quantitative Finance at DU and is expected to graduate in summer 2027 … Graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 grade-point average from Alaska Anchorage in 2026 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, majoring in finance and picking up a minor in economics … Received UAA's Distinguished Scholar Award in 2026, which honors the top undergraduate finance student in the College of Business and Public Policy … Graduated high school from Norges Toppidrettsgymnas Bærum in 2022.

Why DU: "I chose Denver because of its great ski program and the opportunity to continue developing as an athlete, as well as my love for the Colorado mountains. Daniels College of Business also offers strong academics, and the Applied Quantitative Finance program was exactly the type of master's degree I wanted to pursue."

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Players Mentioned

Liv Moritz

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Completed Event: Skiing versus 20K Freestyle on March 14, 2026 , , 3rd/22 (386.5)

Completed Event: Skiing versus Slalom on March 13, 2026 , , 3rd/22 (314.5)

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