Photo by Kelly Gorham
Marius Korthauer raises his arms in celebration as he crosses the finish line, becoming UAF’s first male skiing national champion.

It was definitely a great place to be on his birthday, and an even greater place to end his collegiate skiing career.

Marius Korthaur spent part of his 24th birthday atop the podium at the NCAA skiing championships. He had taken the second tier two days earlier, and last year. But on Mar. 7, he was on top.

Korthauer’s fifth trip to the NCAA podium came in the mass-start 20 kilometer classic race.

“As long as he had good skis, I don’t think anyone was going to stand in his way today: he was ready to win,” coach Scott Jerome said in a press release.

In the second half of the four-lap race, the race for the championship spot came down to Korthauer and Colorado’s Kit Richmond.

At times, the two were side-by-side, but Korthauer streatched his lead to 30 seconds with a charge up Telemark hill, the course’s longest and steepest uphill.

“I am just so proud of him, and of what he has done for the program,” Jerome said in the release.

Four years ago, Korthauer was overlooked by many schools that thought he just wasn’t fast enough. Jerome took a chance based on Korthaur’s persistence and dedication to training; that chance paid off. Korthauer’s is Jerome’s first national title as a coach.

“I am pleased and lucky to have worked with him for four years and happy to be just a little part of his career. It’s been a big thrill.” Jerome said.

Korthauer also became UAF’s first male to win a national skiing championship.

Sigrid Aas took both the freestyle and classic championships for the Nanook women in 2004.

On the first day of competition, Korthauer took to the podium for his second place finish in the 10-k freestyle race.

Vahur Teppan made All-American status in both races as well, with an eitght place finish in the freestyle, and fifth place in the 20k classic.

Anna Coulter took an All-American spot in Wednesday’s freestyle race with a ninth-place finish.

Friday’s races were a bit trickier for the women. Pre-race, the weather appeared to be warming, and the skiers waxed accordingly. However, as soon as the race started, temperatures began dropping, causing sticky conditions.

Aurelia Korthauer battled to a 14th place finish. Coulter actually stopped to scrape wax off of her skis, which enabled her to move up six places to 25th.

In Wednesday’s freestyle race, Korthauer finished 21st.

Elisabeth Habermann and Ray Sabo rounded out the Nanooks’ field of six. Friday, they each finished 38th; Wednesday Habermann took 28th and Sabo finished 37th.