February 23, 2008 (Middlebury) – Middlebury College opened its annual Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Championships event Friday with a narrow lead over Dartmouth. Middlebury had no individual or team victories in the opening day of its carnival, but the team’s depth and consistency gave it an early edge over rivals Dartmouth and UVM.

One of Middlebury’s top results of the day was a third place finish by Robyn Anderson in the women’s five kilometer freestyle event. Anderson was topped by Dartmouth team mates Susan Dunklee and Elsa Sargent, who finished first and second, respectively.

Dartmouth took the win in women’s Nordic team scoring with 129 points. Middlebury earned 119 points, and the University of New Hampshire finished third with 105 points. Sylvan Ellefson of Bates notched his second win of the season Friday in the men’s 10 kilometer Nordic event, finishing a substantial twenty seconds faster than Colby’s Wyatt Fereday who finished second. Dartmouth’s Glenn Randall took third.

After the first day of racing, Middlebury leads overall team standings with 459 points. Dartmouth is currently in second with 449 points, and the University of Vermont sits in third with 435 points.

Middlebury Carnival racing continues Saturday with the Nordic classic mass start events, and giant slalom racing at the Middlebury Snowbowl. Information about the remaining schedule, as well as up-to-date results and team standings can be found here.