In the 3x8 km relay on Saturday, Harvard finished just out of first, 10 seconds behind Marlboro College.

"Our best skier is definitely Bill Kealey," said Nordic Coach George Weir, the program's overall coordinator. "But there's no question that Per-Arne and Dave have really given us an edge in the Alpine events. In the Nordic events, Dan and John have put in extremely good performances as well.

"It's the freshmen who've provided results," he added.

If the Crimson can hold onto its lead over perennial Division II sking power Bowdoin through the next three carnivals, it will be invited to the Division I Carnival, to be held in Middlebury, VI., on bruary 22 and 23

"That's our aspiration, to go to Middlebury," said Kealey. "We have our work cut out for us to hold onto this lead."

"It's really a horserace between us and Bowdoin," added Weir. "We haven't had this kind of consistency in the three years I've been here. If they get by us, it will be because they're better, not because we let up."

Promising

Things have also been looking up for the women's ski team, which showed great promise at the Bowdoin Carnival, finishing only three points out of second place. Bowdoin is also the dominant team in women's competition

The women are led by what Weir called a "powerhouse" group of Nordic skiers In the women's cross country event on Friday, Harvard's Judy Rabinowitz, Manya Deehr, and Lucy MacMillan finished first, second, and fourth respectively out of a field of almost 50 skiers.

"We're pretty solid for third place in the women's competition," said Weir. "Our Alpine girls are also staring to come on Right now , they're a little bit inexperienced.

Bowdom will be tough to catch," he added "We're really shooting for second place.

"Strill, the team are much stronger than we expected"

Kealey shares Weir's surprise.

"We had a hunch before the start of the season that if we got everyone together we would do well," he said of the men's team "But again it's the freshmen who have come through for us."

The fact that two veterans had to be cut from the men's squad is testimony to the ability of the four Yearlings.

We didn't know how good they really were, said Kealey.

Still, Harvard should consider itself fortunate to have acquired so many outstanding skiers in one year. The Crimson, a club team, have not exactly enjoyed the reputation of a collegiate skiing dynasty over the last quarter century.

I had heard that the in Harvard was terrible," said Weir. I almost went to Williams instead If it wasn't for the fact that Harvard is in a city that my brother already attends Williams, I would be there now."

In the meantime, it looks like the Harvard ski team" the men's team at least-- should be competitive if not dominant over the next four years.

Who Knows? Many be poetic justice will be served and they won't lose another carnival for the next 27 year