NEW LONDON, N.H. – February 20, 2019 – Colby-Sawyer first-year alpine ski team members Nikos Tziovas (Thessaloniki, Greece) and Yianno Kouyoumdjian (Nicosia, Cyprus) competed at the 2019 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Åre, Sweden last week.

The championships showcased hundreds of world-class skiers from more than 70 nations. The competitors were met with less than ideal conditions throughout the week due to rain and above freezing temps. The courses were made that much tougher as icy grooves and bumps developed in the turns. The area received plenty of rain leading up to the championships and with morning maintenance on the slopes, the races were forced to begin later in the day with warmer temps.  

Nikos Tziovas represented his home country of Greece in the giant slalom discipline. The qualifying round featured 120 entries and Tziovas was 68th to earn a spot in the finals. In the first run of the finals, Tziovas posted a time of 1:20.08 to be in 56th heading into the second run. He then came away with a time of 1:18.77 to combine for a total of 2:38.85. Tziovas vaulted up the leaderboard to finish 43rd overall against the best competition in the world.

"The fact that I had the chance to race against the best athletes in the world was a unique experience," said Tziovas. "At the same time, I gained further knowledge and tips in the area of ski racing."

A couple of days later, Yianno Kouyoumdjian represented Cyprus in the slalom discipline. The slalom qualifying event included 121 entries. Kouyoumdjian finished 60th to earn his spot in the finals. He traversed the course in 1:18.97 to be in 56th after the first time down the hill. He then posted a second-run time of 1:19.93 for a total of 2:38.90. Kouyoumdjian finished 47th overall against the top skiers in the world.  

"It was a really nice and unforgettable experience being able to compete and represent my country at the world ski championships," said Kouyoumdjian.

GS Qualifying Results
GS First Run Results
GS Final Results

SL Qualifying Results
SL First Run Results
SL Final Results

The Chargers will head to Sunday River in Newry, Maine to compete in the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) Championships.  
 

 

 

 

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