HOUGHTON — The Norway varsity alpine ski team kicked off its conference race season Thursday at Mount Ripley in Houghton.

The Knights girls team, fielding only four racers, finished second overall.

Houghton, Ironwood, Marquette and Glen Lake were also in attendance.

Varsity ski teams can field up to six racers with the best four finishers counting towards a team score. Norway’s four girls all skied clean with solid results led by senior captains Grace Schiltz and Sofia Ruesch. Schiltz took fifth in the slalom and sixth in the giant slalom which were both career bests for her. Ruesch, a returning all-state skier from last season came through the finish in third in the slalom and seventh in the giant slalom. Following closely behind was Sophia Fornetti with a pair of 9th place results. These were also personal best results for Sophia. Junior Ingrid Holt rounded up the team scoring with 12th in slalom and 15th in the giant slalom.

Marquette girls won the race with 25 points followed by Norway (66), Houghton (112), Ironwood (116) and Glen Lake (130).

“I cannot emphasize enough how well these girls skied,” Knights head coach John Bittinger said. “With only four girls racing we needed them to be their best and they were. Grace and Sophia Fornetti both finishing with career best results was outstanding. We are also excited to gain one more racer starting next week when incoming freshman Sophia Richardson returns from injury. Unfortunately due to another injury we will be without sophomore Linnea Boehmfeldt for the season.”

The Knights did field one boy racer, sophomore Skyler St. John. He skied independently because a minimum of four racers in each gender is a requirement for a team score. St. John skied to a 12th in slalom and 13th in the giant slalom which were personal best finishes.

The Knights head to Marquette Tuesday.