February 3, 2008 (Stowe, VT) – Solid performances by Middlebury skiers were enough to oust the University of Vermont from the lead in its home carnival and give Middlebury its first win of the season.

On Friday the Dartmouth women swept the podium in the 10km classic event. Bogner points leader Ida Sargent took an early lead and never looked back, opening nearly a 45-second gap by the end of the race. Big Green team mates Rosie Brennan and Susan Dunklee rounded out the top three.

On the men’s side, Bogner points leader Juergen Uhl mounted a come-from-behind victory in the final 100 meters to overtake Dartmouth skier Glenn Randall. Randall led much of the race but couldn’t match strides with Uhl at the end and finished second. Middlebury’s Simeon Hamilton took third.

In Saturday’s sprints, Tim Reynolds led the charge for Middlebury, qualifying fourth in the 1.2 kilometer sprint event, then skied his way to victory through elimination-style heats. Dartmouth team mates Patrick O’Brien and Dakota Blackhorse-Von Jess finished second and third, respectively.

It was the Colby men however who topped the sprint team score, with Wyatt Fereday, Nick Kline, and Silas Gill finishing fourth through sixth. The Colby men edged Dartmouth and Middlebury for their second win of the season.

Dartmouth women again showed their dominance Saturday, topping Middlebury and the University of Vermont in team scores. Dartmouth’s Ida Sargent remained undefeated at the Trapp Family Lodge. She won the freestyle sprint qualification by nearly four seconds, and went on to win the elimination heats as well. Teammate and older sister Elsa Sargent finished second.

Middlebury’s final points tally was 718, which just edged the University of Vermont, a close second with 715 points. Dartmouth finished third with 694 points.

Teams now look ahead to the Dartmouth Carnival, February 8-9, where Dartmouth looks to return to it’s winning ways with the home course advantage. Middlebury and the University of Vermont, both stronger this weekend, will try to again upset the defending national champions.

Information about the remaining schedule, as well as full results and final team standings can be found at www.eisasking.org.