Norway's Ella Rizzo competes in the giant slalom at a conference ski race hosted by Ironwood at Powderhorn Mountain on Tuesday. Courtesy photo

IRONWOOD — The Norway varsity ski team traveled to Powderhorn Mountain for a conference race hosted by Ironwood High School on Tuesday.

Due to inconsistent snow conditions on the race hill it was determined to hold a pair of giant slalom races at this event, which was also attended by Marquette and Houghton. According to Norway coach John Bittinger, a slalom race would typically also be included in a conference competition.

In the girls division, Houghton won the overall race with 46 points when combining both races, overtaking Marquette’s 50.5 points and followed by Norway with 59.5 points.

The Knights ladies were led by the senior duo of Gabby Carey and Brooke Bittinger. Carey finished sixth in GS-1 and third in GS-2, while Bittinger came though the finish with a fourth in GS-1 and sixth in GS-2.

“It was not one of our best days racing as a team but we had a number of individuals that had a very good day, starting with Brooke’s improvement in the GS,” coach Bittinger said. “She had the fourth- fastest run in three of the four races. That was some of her best skiing in that event in a long time.

“Gabby’s consistency continues with her rarely finishing outside the top six in any race,” he added.

The Norway duo was followed by teammate Maria Fornetti, who ended the day with a pair of eighth-place finishes. Sophomores Ella Rizzo and Megan Bittinger flipped positions in the races, each earning a 12th and 13th, respectively.

“We were very excited to have Megan, one of last season’s all conference racers, back on the slopes for her first high school race. She was a bit tentative today in the courses, but had a solid run in race two and we expect her only to improve with each start,” Bittinger said. “Freshman Sofia Ruesch had some very good sections of the course where she skied fast, but had a few mishaps that kept her from earning any points.”

Marquette easily won the boys division with 35 points. Houghton was second with 52 points, with host Ironwood rounding the top three with 108 points.

Norway’s Ben Fornetti racing as an individual had a solid day with two seventh-place runs.

“Ben had a great day,” coach Bittinger said. “He is really skiing well for a freshman and will only improve with every race and year.”

As a team, the Norway boys do not qualify for a team score since they did not have four racers competing.

Despite a somewhat disappointing day at Ironwood, Bittinger is optimistic about his team’s immediate future.

“We have less than two weeks before regionals which will take place at Nubs Nob in Lower Michigan and all the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together,” he said. “We are really skiing well in slalom, as shown in last week’s victory, and we are making steps of improvement in the giant slalom.”

The Knights have one more conference race on the schedule, with Norway hosting races at Pine Mountain on Feb. 10.

“A final tune-up before we head downstate,” Bittinger added.

Report compiled by Dennis Mansfield, sports editor. Mansfield can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 244, or dmansfield@ironmountaindailynews.com.