LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – On a slushy course at Whiteface Mountain, the Vermont State University Castleton women's alpine skiing team opened the USCSA National Championships in strong fashion Tuesday as Emilie Stene headlined proceedings with a first-place finish.

Stene, after trailing by less than a half-second in the first run, charged into the top position on the final heat with a 2:15.85 two-run time. With the triumph, the sophomore from Skedsmo, Norway became the fourth national champion in program history and joins Kristen Leggett as the second female to accomplish the feat.

Ginevra Trevisan completed the course at Draper's Drop in 2:27.10 to notch 17th place. Camille Jackson recorded the 49th-best initial dash of 1:19.76 but did not finish the second run.

Due to having only two finishers, a ghost time factored into the Spartans' total time of 9:18.61 which landed 12th in team standings. Rocky Mountain College (6:54.27), Northern Michigan (7:15.92), and St. Olaf (7:19.92) filled out the podium.

Women's action resumes at Whiteface on Thursday, March 7 with the slalom event.