Talbot Wins MSU Invitational Giant Slalom, Seger Hits Podium for Bobcat Men

Tuesday, January 18

BOZEMAN/Bridger Bowl

10 a.m.

Montana State University

Giant Slalom

Nellie Talbot won the women's giant slalom race at the MSU Invitational on Tuesday afternoon at Bridger Bowl.

Photo by: Sam Bloom

Talbot Wins MSU Invitational Giant Slalom, Seger Hits Podium for Bobcat Men

1/18/2022 6:23:00 PM | Men's Skiing, Women's Skiing, Skiing

SKI RESULTS 2022 Montana State Invitational

Montana State junior Nellie Talbot opened her 2022 Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association season about the best way possible.

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State junior Nellie Talbot opened her 2022 Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association season about the best way possible. The product of Vail, Colo., captured the women's giant slalom at the MSU Invitational on Tuesday afternoon at Bridger Bowl.

Talbot had the fourth fastest times in both the first and second runs, and combined, came out on top with a clocking of 1:37.12. Westminster's Julie Toiviainen placed second in 1:37.45.

"Nellie did a lot of things right," said MSU alpine head coach Kris Shampeny. "She really did a nice job attacking and pushing on the bottom part of the hill."

The Bobcat women also received a top 10 showing from sophomore Kristiane Bekkestad, who placed ninth in 1:38.40.

"Kristiane had a nice first run and tightened up a little in the second," Shampeny said. "She'll come out tomorrow more relaxed and looking for a great finish."

Junior Tegan Wold completed MSU's scoring, finishing 16^th in 1:39.84. She had the ninth fastest opening run.

"Tegan had a great first run," Shampeny said. "She had good tactics and passed a lot of people. She had a little tougher time with the second set and over skied a bit, but she ended up having a solid day."

Also posting finishing times for the Bobcats were Ylva Falksete, 24^th, 1:40.83, and Brynne Hitchcock, 27^th, 1:41.96.

All-American Riley Seger guided the MSU men's contingent placing third in a time of 1:34.82. Seger, a junior from Vancouver, British Columbia had the fastest opening run, but was 15^th in the second race.
Colorado's Filip Forejtek won the giant slalom in 1:34.74.

"The second run was pretty rough for that group that was leading after the first run," Shampeny said. "The fog moved in and it started snowing making visibility difficult. It also got pretty bumpy on top, but Riley got through it and really picked up a lot of speed on the bottom."

Seger was followed in scoring by Dawson Yates, 17^th, 1:36.60, and Jamie Casselman, 20^th, 1:36.74.

Yates, who was 26^th after the opening run, finished with the seventh best time in the second heat.

"Dawson had an early start time and really took advantage of a clean course," Shampeny said. "Casselman was also very consistent, and we know he has the potential to go faster."

Henry Heaydon finished 21^st for the Bobcats in 1:36.87. He was followed by Zak Vinter, 32^nd, 1:38.96. Isak Staurset did not finish the second run.

Behind 143.5 points from the MSU alpine squad, the Bobcats moved into fourth in the team standings. Utah remains atop the leader board with 558 points followed by Denver 412, CU 402, MSU 358.5, Alaska Anchorage 320, Alaska Fairbanks 281, Westminster 159, Wyoming 101, and Colorado Mountain 91.5.

The Bobcat women combined for 80.5 points in the giant slalom, the third highest total of the day.

"We had a great day overall," Shampeny said. "It was a good way to start the season. We'll look to pick up our speed and pick up a few more podiums."

The MSU Invitational concludes with the slalom races on Wednesday starting at 10 a.m.