From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.
A Craftsbury volunteer removes the timing chip of a Northern Michigan University skier after the men’s 50 k classic mass start at 2018 U.S. Distance Nationals in Craftsbury, Vt. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Here at FasterSkier, the primacy of the written word is often emphasized. We remain text driven, but we have delved into videos to help our readership learn more about the sport and of course, we rely on the eyes and vision of sport photographers to deliver visual stories in a way words simply cannot.
John Lazenby is a model of the artist and the deep-in-the-trenches photographer who creates some of the images we feature on FasterSkier. Lazenby lives in Vermont where he practices his craft. You can check out some of his work at his website.
At major nordic ski events, Lazenby remains chill, and is rattle-proof. Sub-zero Lahti, Finland cold is not too cold for Lazenby. Sleep deprived and on a Vermont sunrise internal time-clock is no deterrent to cover the action and send photos our way. His workhorse persistence is an asset to our community. We are better for it.
Lazenby will be shooting for FasterSkier in Seefeld, Austria this February at the Nordic Ski World Championships. Well before then, we wanted to pull together a sample of Lazenby’s kind work as we bring him out, just a little bit, from behind the lens.
Click the image twice for a big look.
Sweden’s Stina Nilsson, Ebba Andersson, Charlotte Kalla and Anna Haag faced the cameras after winning the silver medal in the women’s relay at the 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti. (Photo: John Lazenby)
World Championship enthusiasm from these Swedish fans at Lahti in 2017. There’s more to covering a race than just what happens on the track, and fans are a big part of that.
Jessie Diggins (left) and Sadie Bjornsen wear the USA’s lucky relay socks as they stand on the podium after taking third place in the women’s classic team sprint at the 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti.
Eventual winner Sweden’s Tove Alexandersson in the middle distance race at the International Orienteering Federation World Cup at Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury, VT.
Preparing for racers to arrive at the map exchange in the distance race at the International Orienteering Federation World Cup at Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Craftsbury, VT.
Sometimes it seems wrong to get your camera wet in falling snow: but what’s skiing without skiing in newly falling snow and what’s ski photography with images of a snowstorm? I usually keep at least a small camera with me in a belt pack when skiing.
As the sun set, it was so cold that the battery in my camera froze into a non-working lump during this late afternoon masters’ training session at Craftsbury Outdoor Center last January. But the masters kept skating in the cold, squeaky snow and I was able to get this image before the battery went dead.
Finland’s Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN discards a drink during the 2017 30-kilometer competition at the World Nordic Ski Championships in Lahti, Finland.
USA’s Sadie Bjornsen competiing in the 2017 World Cup finals on the Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Behind her is Charlotte Kalla, Sweden.
Italy’s Federico Pellegrino reaches up to shake the hand of Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov after Pellegrino won his first World Championship gold in the sprint in Lahti in 2017. I liked the simplicity of the situation and the fact the Pellegrino, having finally achieved this goal, was flat-out on the ground.
Canadian para athlete Yves Bourque, of Quebec, a veteran of the 2014 Sochi Paralympics
Norway’s Marit Bjorgen with her son, Marius Bjorgen Lundberg, after she won the 15-k skiathlon at the 2017 World Championships, Lahti, Finland. There’s often a lot going on on the sidelines of a race.
“Klaeboing” up a hill is the well-known trademark of Norway’s Johannes Hosflot Klaebo, but it was fairly new when he simply stepped out of the classic track and ran up the big hill just outside the ski stadium in the team sprint in the 2017 World Championships, Lahti, Finland. I was pretty far away, but was able to get fairly close with a telephoto. You can see the technique in the way he lift his right ski.
Considered one of the most popular men in Finland, big Juha Mieto’s racing days were in the 1960s and ’70s, but the four-time Olympian, unmistakable because of his size and his big personality, was out greeting the crowds at Lahti in 2017.
What makes Jessie Diggins Jessie Diggins? Talent, skill, work ethic, toughness, persistence, and sparkle, yes, but also the fact that when she is in contention she simply will not be denied. This photo demonstrates that attitude as she out sprints Sweden’s Stina Nilsson at the 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland for a bronze medal in the team sprint with Sadie Bjornsen.
Craftsbury Nordic Ski Club racer Jack Young of Jay, VT, gets some help from his father, Chris, to adjust his pole straps in the start corral, NENSA Eastern Cup. (Photo: Craftsbury Outdoor Center, December 2016)
2017 Lahti FIS Nordic World Ski Championships; Norway’s Emil Iversen skiing with a broken pole down the finishing stretch after tangling with Finland’s Iivo Niskanen; 200 meters from the line; which cost Norway gold in the men’s classic team sprint at the 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti; Finland.
(Left to right) Canada’s Emily Nishikawa; 2017 Lahti FIS Nordic World Ski Championships; Cendrine Browne; Dahria Beatty; Finland.; and Katherine Stewart-Jones after placing 10th in the women’s 4 x 5 k relay at the 2017 Nordic World Championships in Lahti
Marit Bjørgen at the 2017 World Champs – winning the 4 x 5 k relay. (Photo: John Lazenby)
US paralympic team member Andy Soule prepares for a race at the US Paralympics Nordic Skiing Festival at Craftsbury Outdoor Center in January of 2016. Soule joined the Army after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and lost both legs when an IED detonated next to his Humvee.
Friday night, Oct. 28, after the freestyle distance interval starts on Day 1 of Frozen Thunder racing at the Canmore Nordic Centre in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Russell Kennedy)
For most racers, Frozen Thunder is about getting quality hours on snow. Below is what several athletes had to say about the trails, the snow and the experience of racing in Canmore, Alberta, last week. For details about the races, see distance, classic sprint, and skate sprint recaps. For the photos, keep scrolling down.
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“Frozen thunder has been warm but with solid snow of course and it’s always great coming out to the early snow. With my southern Ontario background, I still don’t get tired of snow in October when I used to have to wait until well into December to be able to ski at home.” — Bob Thompson (NDC TBay)
“This is my first year coming to Frozen Thunder! It is so incredibly beautiful up here, so that makes it worth it even without the great skiing. I think it has been really beneficial to get some big hours on snow before we start traveling to races. We’re lucky because we had the month of August on snow as well and now we have this big week to add to that. This is the most time I’ve had skiing on snow in the offseason ever, which is pretty cool! We’ll see if I can tell the difference once we get into the race season.” — Kelsey Phinney (SVSEF)
“The track had broken down and was soft where the guys had skied, but there were a few sections of fast, firm snow to be found near the edges of the trail.” — Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt (AWCA/NST U25 Team), on the skate-sprint conditions Nov. 3
“Frozen Thunder has been an awesome opportunity so far this year! I have been able to test most of my new skis already, work on technique, get in some high intensity on snow intervals and now have a couple of race starts behind me! It’s also been great to be surrounded by so many high level athletes everyday. I have learned a lot by just following other athletes throughout the loop.” — Caitlin Gregg (Team Gregg/Madshus)
“Frozen Thunder is not looking so good right now. It’s been quite warm in Canmore, with some rain and no temps below zero at night, so it is for sure hurting! The weather forecast doesn’t look very promising either. So everyone get out there and do your cold and snow dance please! This time last year we had a big dump of snow around the start of November and the temperatures during the day were about -5, so there snow guns were going. So things look very different this year. Might have to pull out the roller skis for a few afternoon workouts for sure.” — Dahria Beatty (AWCA/NST U25 Team) on Nov. 3
“It’s a huge help to be on snow this early for us and the fact that it’s available in my hometown is incredibly lucky.” — Jess Cockney (Canadian World Cup B-team)
“CCC did a great job running the races and it was nice to see nearly 100 skiers out on course. For the first time that I have seen in Canada, they had a TV crew on-site broadcasting the races live. Great work Shaw [TV Calgary]!” — Julien Locke (Black Jack/NST U25 Team)
“The conditions were slow but everyone was on the same wax, at least for the qualifier so we all suffered together!” — Knute Johnsgaard (AWCA/NST U25 Team) on the classic sprint.
“Frozen Thunder is such a good way to enter the season. Every year they have made improvements on laying it down and its nice to have the ability to mix up workouts with rollerskiiing and on snow training.” — Graeme Killick (Canadian World Cup B-team)
“Being able to have Frozen Thunder and be back on snow is a huge benefit as we prepare for the season. Having already done two races in the past week and with another race and a time trial coming up later this week it is a great bonus to be able to do this prep period on snow instead of roller skiing.” — Beatty
“These races are really good for figuring out what work still needs to be done before the start of the season. I can take a few lessons from today to feel better prepared come December. I’m really excited to get things going now because it’s been a really great summer and fall of training.” — Annika Hicks (AWCA)
“We had fantastic conditions… it was a little bit like the APU summer training grounds on Eagle Glacier :), couple inches of wet corn snow! With the rain the last two days- they did a great job with the courses. Course crowding was definitely not a problem, and it is always fun to have more people on course!” — Chelsea Holmes (APU)
“I am so grateful that Frozen Thunder and the organizers of the training ground as well as the races. I love skiing exponentially more than roller skiing so I couldn’t be happier to not only have the opportunity to be skiing but also to be able to put a bib on and kick start the year.” — Holmes
“The conditions were great practice today! It was pretty soft but I tried to figure out how to maintain speed by playing around with my power, tempo and technique. I find myself racing some softer loop courses during the year and wishing I had more practice for those conditions so today was a great learning day! The wax was PRE-set for everyone so that made waxing super easy (although I do have fantastic skis) and a non-factor.” — Caitlin Gregg on the Oct. 28 distance race
“This is my first couple of days on snow since last March! I spent my summer and fall training with my local Loppet Nordic Racing (LNR) in the Midwest and focused on my dry land fitness. I love coming to Canmore, AB and look for any excuse to spend as much time as possible here 😉 The scenery is gorgeous, the training is fantastic and most importantly the training partners are amazing! [My husband] Brian and I skipped Frozen Thunder last year and I have been looking forward to coming back for another fall! I am very grateful to my sponsors and community for the opportunity to be here training again!” — Gregg on the experience
“The organizers behind Frozen Thunder do an incredible job and the skiing is fantastic! The coverage is great and you can expect most days to be firm skate skiing and toko blue/red klister in the morning and softer skating and Toko yellow klister classic skiing in the afternoon.” — Gregg
“We spent 3 weeks in New Zealand this summer, which was a great way to get on snow. I think it’s really great that Canmore puts in so much effort to ensure we have this early season snow. It can take a bit of time to get that snow feeling back! It’s also really great that we no longer need to do roller ski trials in the summer/early fall. Roller skiing is quite different from snow skiing, some athletes can be quite fast on roller skis and then not have that transfer over to snow.” — Rosanna Crawford (Biathlon Canada)
“Frozen Thunder has only been open for a week, but this year our team spent 3 weeks training at the Snow Farm in New Zealand earlier this summer. This training season encompassed the most time I’ve ever spent on snow, and I think this has been really positive for me.” — Brendan Green (Biathlon Canada)
“Getting on snow at this point in the season is crucial. It is important to enter the first race series in December with as much immediate on snow time as possible. An extra week of skiing at the end of October goes a long way towards being prepared to race well in early December. I went to Australia for the month of August to ski- the SVSEF Gold Team organized a training trip and we got 4 weeks of skiing at Falls Creek. The trails and snow were great and it was a very productive trip, so I have had a substantial amount of ski time on the last 2.5 months.” — Matt Gelso (SVSEF)
“Conditions have been good up here. Although the rain has soaked the snow through, the water has been draining out well, keeping the snow icy and fast. In the mornings when the snow is very firm it is great, and as it softens throughout the day it is a little challenging to ski in at times but still solid skiing. It is nice to have the full loop open this year as well.” — Gelso
“Frozen Thunder is definitely a huge asset to western North America. There is no doubt that it helps get you into ski shape long before the season starts.”– Russell Kennedy (AWCA)
“The conditions have been unreal this year! Until yesterday when it started raining haha. It has been really excellent though most days firm and fast!” — Kennedy
“Since April, I had one 7 day camp of skiing on the Haig Glacier [near Canmore] in June/July. I tried to get up on the Eagle Glacier too but there was no space available. I love skiing on snow! The setup on Frozen Thunder is fantastic too as it offers the ability to easily test skis in a variety of snow conditions. Although it is unique to be on snow that has been saved all summer, we are finding ourselves racing more and more on transformed man made snow. This is a great time of year to get to understand the different characteristics of each of our skis. It is also great to have many other strong skiers training in the same place. As you can see the Biathletes skied well today, as they usually do and it has been good to train beside them. The US Biathlon team is here as well and I have a lot of respect for those guys. Skiing on snow is a real treat, but it is also really good to be in a camp environment. Caitlin and I love being able to spend so much time with the community and many of our camps have been with our LNR Club this year. Our camp here at Frozen Thunder is important time for us to be able to focus on our personal preparation.” — Brian Gregg (Team Gregg/Madshus) on all the topics
Caitlin Gregg sprinting to third in the Frozen Thunder skate sprint qualifier. (Photo: Glen Crawford Production Services)
Len Valjas sprinting to victory in the skate sprint qualifier at Frozen Thunder on Thursday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Glen Crawford Production Services)
Brendan Green leads a group with Olexandr Zhrynyi (#4), Jack Carlyle, Soo Finish, #11), Bob Thompson (NDC TBay, #19) and Gareth Williams (Telemark, #1) (Photo: Matthias Ahrens)
Rosanna Crawford on her path to victory in the Frozen Thunder 2016 skate sprint (Photo: Glen Crawford Production Services)
Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt sprinting at Frozen Thunder 2016 (Photo: Glen Crawford Production Services)
Canmore Nordic’s Jonah Steinberg pushes across the finish line. (Photo: Matthias Ahrens)
The start of an all-women’s heat at the 2016 Frozen Thunder classic sprint, which followed King’s Court format. (Photo: Matthias Ahrens)
Russell Kennedy in the classic qualifier at Frozen Thunder 2016 (Photo: Jenn Jackson)
The Ladies A final at Frozen Thunder 2016 (Photo: Jenn Jackson)
(From left to right) Bob Thompson (NTDC Thunder Bay) chases Lenny Valjas (Canadian World Cup A-Team), Graeme Killick (AWCA/NST B-team), and Knute Johnsgaard (AWCA/NST U25 Team) at the start of a classic sprint heat at 2016 Frozen Thunder in Canmore, Alberta, on Nov. 1. (Photo: Jenn Jackson)
A truck out on the 2-kilometer trail at the Canmore Nordic Centre. (Photo: Bob Truman)
Christian Gow in the skate sprint qualifier (Photo: Matthias Ahrens)
Scott Gow and Brendan Green at the biathlon range after the skate sprint. (Photo: Matthias Ahrens)
Len Valjas on his second lap as Russell Kennedy starts the classic sprint qualifier. (Photo: Martine Zilligen)
Len Valjas (#1), Graeme Killick (#14), and Knute Johnsgaard (#2) lead Bob Thompson in a classic sprint heat. (Photo: Martine Zilligen)
OSLO, Norway — On the final day of International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Championships at Holmenkollen’s famous venue, both Susan Dunklee of the U.S. and Canada’s Rosanna Crawford posted their best-ever results in a championships mass start, in 11th and 15th, respectively. For another American, Hannah Dreissigacker, it was the last international race of her career, as she finished 27th in the prestigious final competition.
France’s Marie Dorin Habert took gold in the 12.5-kilometer mass start, shooting clean and finishing 7.3 seconds ahead of Germany’s Laura Dahlmeier in second and 8.1 seconds ahead of Finland’s Kaisa Mäkäräinen in third.
Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff en route to 25th in the women’s 12.5 k mass start at 2016 IBU World Championships in Oslo, Norway. She had five penalties, three of which came in the third stage.(Photo: JoJo Baldus)
(Photo: JoJo Baldus)
Anais Bescond of France racing to fifth in the women’s 12.5 k mass start at 2016 IBU World Championships in Oslo, Norway. (Photo: JoJo Baldus)
CANMORE, Alberta — Stage 6 of the Ski Tour Canada featured a brutal course for both the women’s 15-kilometer and the men’s 30 k skiathlons. It was simply survival of the fittest as the classic loop featured a grueling 1.2 k climb while the skate leg was punctuated by dicey soft-snow corners navigated at high speed.
The women’s race became a showdown between second place overall in the Ski Tour Canada, Norwegian Therese Johaug and Tour leader Heidi Weng, also from Norway. Weng took the win.
In the men’s race, Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby played at times a cool follower and at others an aggressive pace setter. Sunday won the day and jumped to third overall Ski Tour Canada’s standings.
Therese Johaug and Norwegian teammate Heidi Weng during the women’s 15 k skiathlon in Canmore, Alberta. The competition was part of the Ski Tour Canada, one of many World Cup events Johaug won last season. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Chelsea Holmes (APU) during the women’s 15 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
American Chelsea Holmes leads Canadians Emily Nishikawa (42) and Cendrine Browne, and Hanna Falk of Sweden, during the women’s 15 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Katharine Ogden racing in her first World Cup events during the Tour de Canada in 2016, pictured here in the women’s 15 k skiathlon in Camore, Alberta (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Canada’s Katherine Stewart-Jones during the women’s 15 k skiathlon in Canmore, Alberta, last season. (Photo:Fischer/NordicFocus)
Canadians Dahria Beatty (l) and Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt (r) during the women’s 15 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Norwegians Heidi Weng and Therese Johaug, (l-r) during the women’s 15 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo:Fischer/NordicFocus)
Norwegians Therese Johaug and Heidi Weng, (l-r) during the 2016 women’s 15 k skiathlon in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Norway’s Therese Johaug, Heidi Weng, and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, (l-r) on the podium at the women’s 15 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
The start of the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Canada’s Alex Harvey (5) and Ivan Babikov (34) lead Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby (yellow bib) during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo:Fischer/NordicFocus)
(From left to right) Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Finland’s Matti Heikkinen, Norway’s Niklas Dyrhaug and Didrik Tønseth, and Canada’s Alex Harvey leading the pack during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov, Norway’s Finn Hågen Krogh, and Canada’s Alex Harvey, (l-r) during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
(From left to right): Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov in second, Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby in first, and Finland’s Matti Heikkinenin third after the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Lenny Valjas of Cananda during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Graeme Killick of Canada during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Knute Johnsgaard of Cananda during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Alex Harvey of Cananda before the start of the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby and Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov, (l-r) during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Canadians Graeme Killick , Devon Kershaw, and Alex Harvey, (l-r) during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Norway’s Eirik Brandsdal, Canada’s Lenny Valjas, (l-r) during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Norwegians Hans Christer Holund, Finn Haagen Krogh, Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Petter Northug, Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov, (l-r) during the men’s 30 k skiathlon on Wednesday in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
Kikkan Randall (U.S. Ski Team) watching the Wednesday’s skiathlon races at the Ski Tour Canada in Canmore, Alberta. (Photo: Fischer/NordicFocus)
QUEBEC CITY — With the first half of the Ski Tour Canada in the rearview, we wanted to recognize the dozens of North American athletes that didn’t make it into the main reports from the third and fourth stages in Quebec City. Check out our assortment of images above from the pursuit race on Friday, March 5, as well as additional post-race comments below.
Cendrine Browne after placing 49th (up from 51st) as the second-best Canadian in the women’s 10 k freestyle pursuit at Stage 4 of the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City on March 5. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
“The wave start I was in was pretty quick, so I was able to get in the front group with them, and they pulled me along to a really good time on the day. Pretty happy that I’m able to manage that pace.” – Andy Shields, 65th in Stage 4 freestyle pursuit with 30th fastest time of day (scoring points in his second distance World Cup and eighth-career World Cup start)
“The first couple k, my legs were pretty shot and the pace was pretty high. I was thinking, ‘Well, this could be a rough one,’ but once it broke up a bit and once I got warmed up and got into the race, my legs started to feel better and actually I ended up enjoying it. It was a super nice day and tons of people watching, so it was a lot of fun.” – Patrick Stewart-Jones (AWCA), after placing 66th in the Stage 4 freestyle pursuit
“It hasn’t been the start that I had hoped for. The first three [races] were all solid. If today had been better I would have been pretty happy going to Canmore, but yeah, just wasn’t able to capitalize on the skate today, which is my stronger discipline.” – Michael Somppi (NDC Thunder Bay) after placing 67th in the freestyle pursuit
“I’d say [I’ve had] the most positive experiences from all the races so far, and I’ve definitely got a bunch of things to take away to learn and try to do better. But overall it’s been really great so far.” – Bob Thompson (NDC Thunder Bay) after placing 74th in pursuit
“It’s just amazing to race here. The crowds were just so loud, especially on those climbs. It was really fun, and just so many people cheering my name. It’s such a great atmosphere here. It’s just awesome.” – Emily Nishikawa (Canadian Senior Development Team), after placing 45th in pursuit
“The pace was really hard off the start because everyone was a little worried about getting lapped. … I don’t like starting in packs so I stayed at the back at the start and was able to have a little more energy for the third lap … I am pretty pumped that I made it through to this point. I am excited for the races in Canmore.” – Katherine Stewart-Jones (NDC Thunder Bay) after placing 58th in pursuit
“I went into the race with the mindset of trying as hard as I could for the first two laps to make sure that I didn’t get lapped out, and then just hanging on. So that’s what I did, and then on the last lap I died a bit, but I still managed to come in pretty well placed within the Canadians, so, happy with that.” – Maya MacIsaac Jones (Rocky Mountain Racers) after placing 60th in pursuit
“It’s been a tough time since coming back from [Junior] World Champs so far. … I think trying to take it on was all reasonable until my health took a turn for the worse, and that’s kind of what has piled onto itself and made things are a lot more challenging. Opportunities are becoming just more, step by step. Trying to learn and take the positives from each one of them.” – Jenn Jackson (NDC Thunder Bay) after placing 63rd in pursuit
“If I take in consideration my condition right now, it’s the end of the Tour for me. I have a problem with [coughing]. I take this race for fun and just gave everything for my friends, my family. … I gave everything and I’m happy for that.” – Marie Corriveau (CNEPH/National Junior Team), after placing 63rd in Stage 3 freestyle sprint (she did not start the freestyle pursuit the next day)
Alex Harvey racing to 12th in the men’s freestyle sprint qualifier at the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City. Harvey went on to place second in the final. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Sweden’s Oskar Svensson leads Alex Harvey and others during their quarterfinal at the freestyle sprint in Quebec City. Harvey went on to place second in that heat, behind Norway’s Emil Iversen (not shown) while Svensson finished sixth. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Norway’s Petter Northug leads Canada’s Alex Harvey during the second semifinal of the men’s 1.7 k freestyle sprint at the 2016 Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City. Harvey won that heat, by 0.14 seconds ahead of Northug, and Harvey went on to place second in the final while Northug was fourth overall. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Norway’s Petter Northug leads Canada’s Alex Harvey during the second semifinal of the men’s 1.7 k freestyle sprint at the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City. Harvey won that heat, by 0.14 seconds ahead of Northug, and Harvey went on to place second in the final while Northug was fourth overall. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
The men’s freestyle sprint podium at Stage 3 of the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City, with (from left to right), runner-up Alex Harvey of Canada, winner Baptiste Gros of France, and Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov in third. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Alex Harvey looks to his girlfriend Sophie (right, in blue) after placing second in the men’s freestyle sprint at the third stage of the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Alex Harvey hugs his girlfriend Sophie shortly after racing to second in the men’s final of the freestyle sprint at the Ski Tour Canada Stage 3 in Quebec City. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Alex Harvey fans on sprint day in Quebec City. Harvey ultimately reached the final and the podium, placing second overall. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Italy’s Federico Pellegrino became the first non-Scandinavian male to win a Sprint World Cup Crystal Globe on Friday, placing 21st in the freestyle sprint in Quebec City. (He needed to finish in the top 22 to lock up the title.) (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Baptiste Gros (France) racing to eighth in the qualifier. He went on to win the freestyle sprint final at the third stage of the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City for his first World Cup win.(Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
France’s Baptiste Gros leads teammate Richard Jouve in their semifinal of the freestyle sprint at the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City. They went on to place second and third, respectively, in a photo finish and both advanced to the final. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Sadie Bjornsen racing to her first qualifying victory in the freestyle sprint at Stage 3 of the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
(Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
(Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
The women’s freestyle sprint podium at the third stage of the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City, with Swedish winner Stina Nilsson (c), Norway’s Sprint World Cup champion Maiken Caspersen Falla (l) in second and Heidi Weng (16) of Norway in third. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Sina Nilson(Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
(Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Norwegian coaches hold up Sprint World Cup overall winner Maiken Caspersen Falla on Friday in Quebec City. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Norway’s Therese Johaug in the Ski Tour Canada leader’s bib after two stages of racing. She placed 18th on Friday in the freestyle sprint in Quebec City to slip to second overall, behind teammate Heidi Weng.
(Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Norway’s Petter Northug racing to ninth in the qualifier at the third stage of the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City. He went on to place fourth overall in the final. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
Jess Cockney racing to 29th in the freestyle sprint qualifier at Stage 3 of the Ski Tour Canada in Quebec City. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
(Photo: FlyingPointRoad.com/NNF)
QUEBEC CITY — After an off-day, the Ski Tour Canada picked up again a bit farther east in Québec City with Stage 3: the men’s and women’s freestyle sprints on Friday. Hometown hero Alex Harvey came up big in front of thousands of fans, skiing in second for most of the final and challenging the frontrunner, Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov, for the win in the finishing stretch. In the end, another French-speaking skier, France’s Baptiste Gros took the victory.
“At the top of the last uphill, I was right behind Ustiugov in the best position possible,” Harvey said in a post-race press conference. “I thought I could win this one, but then Baptiste passed me on my right and surprised everyone.”
Harvey held on for second place, 0.55 seconds behind, and Ustiugov placed third (+0.79). Behind them, Norway’s Petter Northug placed fourth (+1.91), Maciej Starega of Poland took fifth (+2.12) and France’s Richard Jouve was sixth (+2.18).
“Right now, I’m in the best shape of this season,” Harvey noted at the press conference. “That was the goal.”
In the women’s final, Sweden’s Stina Nilsson fended off four Norwegians for the win, beating out Maiken Caspersen Falla by 0.11 seconds at the line. By making the semifinals, Falla achieved her season-long goal and locked up the Sprint World Cup title. Falla led the Norwegians in second place and Heidi Weng was third (+0.56) to take the lead in the overall Tour. Behind her in the sprint, fellow Norwegians Ingvild Flugstad Østberg and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen placed fourth (+1.09) and fifth (+1.57), ahead Sweden’s Ida Ingemarsdotter in sixth (+9.43).
Four U.S. women finished in the top 20, with Sadie Bjornsen leading them in eighth, and Simi Hamilton as the top American man in eighth. Canada’s second man behind Harvey, Jess Cockney had his best race of the season by far to place 10th overall. Two other U.S. Ski Team members made the heats, with Erik Bjornsen finishing 20th overall and Andy Newell 29th.
Stay tuned for comprehensive reports on both races. For now, check out some photos from the day.
It was another sunny one at the Canmore Nordic Centre for the final official training day before six competitions take place in a span of four days (Thursday through Sunday) at the International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup in Canmore, Alberta.
It’s a name worth repeating, and it’s also fun to say. Jessie Diggins won Stage 6 of the Tour de Ski last Friday, Jan. 8, becoming the second U.S. woman to win a stage at the 2016 edition of the Tour. In winning the 5 k freestyle individual start, the 24-year-old Diggins was also the first U.S. woman to win a skate race longer than 3 k.
If you couldn’t get enough of her win, check out more photos from the day below, provided by Salomon.
Jessie Diggins realizing she won the 5 k freestyle at the sixth stage of the Tour de Ski on Jan. 8 in Toblach, Italy. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins realizing she won the 5 k freestyle at the sixth stage of the Tour de Ski on Jan. 8 in Toblach, Italy. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins after winning her first individual World Cup race in the 5 k freestyle at the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins talks to FIS media coordinator Jeff Ellis (Kikkan Randall’s husband) after the 5 k freestyle at the sixth stage of the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins (r) with Norwegian runner-up Heidi Weng after Diggins won the 5 k freestyle at the sixth stage of the Tour de Ski on Jan. 8 in Toblach, Italy. Weng finished 0.9 seconds back in second. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins (c) of the U.S. Ski Team after capturing the second U.S. women’s win of the week at the Tour de Ski on Jan. 8. Diggins won the 5 k freestyle by 0.9 seconds over Norway’s Heidi Weng (l) and another Norwegian Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (r) placed third. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins (c) of the U.S. Ski Team after capturing the second U.S. women’s win of the week at the Tour de Ski. Diggins won Friday’s 5 k freestyle by 0.9 seconds over Norway’s Heidi Weng (l) and another Norwegian Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (r) placed third. (Photo: JoJo Baldus)
Jessie Diggins (c) of the U.S. Ski Team after capturing the second U.S. women’s win of the week at the Tour de Ski on Jan. 8. Diggins won the 5 k freestyle by 0.9 seconds over Norway’s Heidi Weng (l) and another Norwegian Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (r) placed third. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins (c) of the U.S. Ski Team after capturing the second U.S. women’s win of the week at the Tour de Ski on Jan. 8. Diggins won the 5 k freestyle by 0.9 seconds over Norway’s Heidi Weng (l) and another Norwegian Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (r) placed third. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins (U.S. Ski Team) being presented with her prizes after winning the 5 k freestyle at the sixth stage of the Tour de Ski on Jan. 8 in Toblach, Italy. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins (U.S. Ski Team) after winning her first individual World Cup, the 5 k freestyle on Jan. 8 at the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
Jessie Diggins after winning her first individual World Cup, the 5 k freestyle at the sixth stage of the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy. (Photo: Salomon/NordicFocus)
OBERSTDORF, Germany — Therese Johaug jetted to another distance victory on Wednesday in the 10-kilometer classic mass start, but not without a tenacious teammate keeping her on her toes, as Ingvild Flugstad Østberg placed second to stay in the Tour de Ski leader’s bib. Then in the men’s 15 k, Kazakhstan’s Alexey Poltoranin outlasted Dario Cologna of Switzerland by 0.1 seconds for the win, and Italy’s Francesco de Fabiani came on strong for third.
Much thanks to Marcel Hilger, who shared the following photos from Stage 5 of the Tour.
Start of the women’s 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Therese Johaug sets the pace early in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Therese Johaug (l) leads Norwegian teammates Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (c) and Heidi Weng (r) during the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Therese Johaug (front) leads Norwegian teammates Ingvild Flugstad Østberg and Heidi Weng during the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Norway’s Therese Johaug racing to the win in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Norway’s Therese Johaug after winning the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany, in January. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
The all-Norwegian women’s podium at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski: (from left to right) runner-up Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, winner Therese Johaug and Heidi Weng in third in the 10 k classic mass start in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Norway’s Therese Johaug after winning the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Norway’s Ingvild Flugstad Østberg after finishing second in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. She remains first in the Tour standings, 12 seconds ahead of teammate Therese Johaug (not shown) with three stages to go. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Fellow U.S. Ski Team members Sadie Bjornsen (l) and Jessie Diggins (r) started near each other in Wednesday’s 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. Diggins went on to place 23rd and Bjornsen 26th for 12th and 14th overall, respectively, in the Tour standings. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
American Jessie Diggins (10) skiing in the pack with Finland’s Laura Mononen (9) and Germany’s Sandra Ringwald (15) during the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sadie Bjornsen racing to 26th in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Liz Stephen racing to 33rd in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Liz Stephen racing to 33rd in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Rosie Brennan on her way to 35th in the 10 k classic in Oberstdorf, Germany, as part of the 2016 Tour de Ski. Brennan is an athlete representative to U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and recently participated in a call between the leadership of the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency, with 50 other athlete representatives. That athletes had the chance to ask questions about current doping investigations and anti-doping policy. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Rosie Brennan on her way to 35th in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
American Rosie Brennan (r) leads Slovenia’s Alenka Cebasek (c) and U.S. teammate Sophie Caldwell during the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Caitlin Gregg racing to 49th in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Caitlin Gregg racing to 49th in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Ida Sargent on her way to 55th in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Ida Sargent on her way to 55th in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Ida Sargent on her way to 55th in the 10 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
The men’s 15 k classic mass start podium at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany: (from left to right) Swiss runner-up Dario Cologna, winner Alexey Poltoranin (Kazakhstan), and Francesco de Fabiani (Italy) in third. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby (l) and Emil Iversen (10) during the 15 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Devon Kershaw racing to 29th in the 15 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
American Noah Hoffman (l) and Canadian Ivan Babikov (r) skiing together during the 15 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. Babikov went on to place 34 and Hoffman finished 41st. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Finland’s Sami Jauhojärvi (38), and Canadian Ivan Babikov (37) during the 15 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany, in January. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Erik Bjornsen on his way to 56th in the 15 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
American Erik Bjornsen (32), Sweden’s Oskar Svensson (42), and France’s Jean Marc Gaillard (23) during the 15 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. Bjornsen went on to place 56th. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Andy Newell during the 15 k classic mass start at Stage 5 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. He did not finish after dropping out between 3 and 4 k. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Day 2 of the U.S. Cross Country Championships took place Monday with the 1.5-kilometer freestyle sprint on the Michigan Tech Trails. Past national sprint champs Jennie Bender and Reese Hanneman racked up another title each after dominating all day, from the qualifier to the finals.
Racing resumes Thursday with the 20/30 k freestyle mass starts and ends Saturday with the classic sprint.
Left to right: Chelsea Holmes of Alaska Pacific University goes head-to-head with Jennie Bender of the Bridger Ski Foundation, Mary Rose of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation and Liz Guiney of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project in the final uphill push of their quarterfinal during the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich.
Andrea Dupont of Rocky Mountain Racers leads Deedra Irwin of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Sarah Bezdicek of Northern Michigan University, Becca Rorabaug of Alaska Pacific University, Heather Mooney of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project, and Taryn Hunt-Smith of Dartmouth College during their quarterfinal of the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. Rorabaugh went on to place eighth overall. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Left to right: Sarah Bezdicek of Northern Michigan University heading into the last stretch with Heather Mooney of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project, Deedra Irwin of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Andrea Dupont of Rocky Mountain Racers, Becca Rorabaug of Alaska Pacific University, and Taryn Hunt-Smith of Dartmouth College during their quarterfinal of the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. Rorabaugh went on to place eighth overall.
Front, left to right: Craftsbury Green Racing Project skier Caitlin Patterson and Stratton Mountain School racer Anne Hart lead (second row, left to right) Rosie Frankowski of Alaska Pacific University, CanadianTeam Hardwood athlete Jennifer Jackson, PCNSC/Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation racer Leah Lange, and University of Northern Michigan’s Felicia Gesior during their quarterfinal of the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. Hart went on to place second overall, Patterson third. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Craftsbury Green Racing Project Kaitlynn Miller takes charge, ahead of Northern Michigan University’s Vivian Hett, and Dartmouth College skier Emily Hannah during their quarterfinal of the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Left to right: Canadian Jennifer Jackson of Team Hardwood, Craftsbury Green Racing Project skier Liz Guiney, Alaska Pacific University racer Becca Rorabaugh, Northern Michigan University’s Sarah Bezdicek, Stratton Mountain School’s Anne Hart, and Bridger Ski Foundation’s Jennie Bender coming into the first downhill of the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. Bender ultimately took first overall, Hart second, Guiney seventh overall, Rorabaugh ninth, Jackson tenth, and Bezdicek in eleventh overall.
Front, left to right: Erika Flowers of Stratton Mountain School and Jessica Yeaton of Alaska Pacific University pacing the downhill ahead of Sugar Bowl Academy skier Hannah Halvorsen and Boulder Nordic Junior Racing Teams Eliska Hajkova during their quarterfinal of the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. Flowers went on to finish sixth overall and Halvorsen took fifth. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Right to left: Craftsbury Green Racing Project racer Caitlin Patterson corners ahead of teammate Kaitlynn Miller, Sugar Bowl Academy ski racer Hannah Halvorsen, and Stratton Mountain School skier Erika Flowers during their semi-final of the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Craftsbury Green Racing Project skier Caitlin Patterson (Bib No. 6) pushes into the final climb while teammate Kaitlynn Miller (Bib No. 13) and Sugar Bowl Academy skier Hannah Halvorsen (Bid No. 12), as well as Rocky Mountain Racer’s Andrea Dupont during the semi-final of the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. Patterson went on to place third overall, Halvorsen fifth, Miller fourth, and Dupont in twelfth.
Left to right: Caitlin Patterson of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project, Jennie Bender of the Bridger Ski Foundation, Anne Hart of the Stratton Mountain School, Erika Flowers, also of the Stratton Mountain School, Hannah Halvorsen of Sugar Bowl Academy, and Kaitlynn Miller of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project off the starting line of the final for the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich.
Front, left to right: Anne Hart of Stratton Mountain School and Bridger Ski Foundation’s Jennie Bender duke it out towards the finish line while (back, left to right Kaitlynn Miller of Craftsbury Green Racing Project, Caitlin Patterson also of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project, Stratton Mountain School ski racer Erika Flowers, and Sugar Bowl Academy skier Hannah Halvorsen race to the finish during the final of the women’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Left to right: University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Isaac Lammers skis in front of Alaska Pacific University’s Reese Hanneman, Michigan Tech University’s Didrik Elset, Loppet Nordic Racer Zak Ketterson, Bridger Ski Foundation’s Akeo Maifeld-Carrucci, and Skinouk Quebec Ski Team’s Alexis Turgeon during their quarterfinal of the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Left to right: Alaska Pacific University’s Reese Hanneman races in front of Skinouk Quebec Ski Team’s Alexis Turgeon, Bridger Ski Foundation’s Akeo Maifeld-Carrucci, Loppet Nordic Racer Zak Ketterson, and Michigan Tech University’s Didrik Elset during their quarterfinal of the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich.
Right to left: David Norris of Alaska Pacific University leads Brian Gregg of Team Gregg/Madshus, Canadian Kevin Sandau of the Alberta World Cup Academy, Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess of the Bend Endurance Academy, and teammate Thomas O’Harra of Alaska Pacific University during their quarterfinal of the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Blackhorse von-Jess advanced through the rounds to place second overall, and Gregg also advanced to the semi, ultimately finishing the day in eighth overall.
Left to right: Overall third place finisher Julien Locke of Team Black Jack, leads Stratton Mountain School skier Paddy Caldwell and two Canadian NDC Thunder Bay athletes Evan Palmer-Charrette and Michael Somppi around the final corner of their quarterfinal heat during the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. Somppi went on to place eighth overall and Palmer-Charrette placed sixth overall.
Right to left: Alaska Pacific University’s Logan Hanneman in front of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail’s Tad Elliot, Bridger Ski Foundation’s Nick Michaud, Alaska Winter Stars’ Silas Talbot, and Michigan Tech’s Gaspard Cuenot during their quarterfinal of the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich. Logan Hanneman went on to finish ninth overall and Talbot finished in an overall tenth. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Fredrick Schwencke of Northern Michigan University (l) leads Miles havlick of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, Haakon Hjjelstuen of Lyn Ski, Scott Patterson of Alaska Pacific University, and Canadian Patrick Stewart-Jones during their quarterfinal of the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Schwencke finished in a career best fourth overall, while Havlick took the overall fifth place spot.
Left to right: NDC Thunder Bay athlete Michael Somppi in front of Alaska Pacific University’s Reese Hanneman, Bend Endurance Academy’s Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess, Team Gregg/Madshus Brian Gregg, Alaska Winter Stars’ Silas Talbot, and Michigan Tech skier Didrik Elset during their semi-final of the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Left to right: Northern Michigan University’s Fredrick Schwencke, Alaska Pacific University racer Eric Packer, NDC Thunder Bay’s Evan Palmer-Charrette, Team Black Jack’s Julien Locke head into the final stretch of their semi-final during the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton Mich.
Eric Packer of Alaska Pacific University (center) leads two Canadian skiers, Evan Palmer Charrette of NDC Thunder Bay (l) and Julien Locke of Team Black Jack during the their semi-final of the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Packer placed eleventh overall, while Palmer-Charrette took sixth and Locke claimed his first U.S. national’s podium in third.
APU’s Reese Hanneman (Bib No. 101) leads Bend Endurance Academy’s Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (Bib No. 104) as well as (back: left to right) Miles Havlick (SVSEF), Evan Palmer-Charrette (NDC Thunder Bay), Fredrick Schwencke (NMU), and Julien Locke (Team Black Jack) during the final of the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich.
Left to right: Alaska Pacific University Reese Hanneman bests Team Black Jack’s Julien Locke and Bend Endurance Academy’s Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess during the final of the men’s 1.5 k freestyle sprint on Monday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
OBERSTDORF, Germany — On Tuesday, Sophie Caldwell became the third U.S. woman in World Cup history to win a World Cup race, and the first-ever to win a classic sprint. We are grateful Marcel Hilger shared the following photos recapping the day at the fourth stage of the Tour de Ski, which included another first for Norway’s Emil Iversen, the winner of the men’s final.
Sophie Caldwell (U.S. Ski Team) racing to third in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. She went on to win the final for her first World Cup victory. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell (U.S. Ski Team) racing to third in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. She went on to win the final for her first World Cup victory. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Norway’s Ingvild Flugstad Østberg won the qualifier and raced to third overall in the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Norway’s Therese Johaug qualified 10th and raced to fifth in the 1.2 k classic sprint final at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sweden’s Stina Nilsson raced to sixth in the 1.2 k classic sprint final at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Germany’s Sandra Ringwald (2) and Denise Herrmann (9) go head-to-head with American Sophie Caldwell (3) during the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell (U.S. Ski Team) during the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell (U.S. Ski Team) during the 1.2 k classic sprint final at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell (U.S. Ski Team) lunges to edge Norway’s Heidi Weng (not shown) for the win in the 1.2 k classic sprint final at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell (U.S. Ski Team) after winning the 1.2 k classic sprint final at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Ida Sargent (U.S. Ski Team) qualifying 24th in the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. She went on to place 15th. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell (c) after becoming the first U.S. woman to win a World Cup classic sprint with the other podium finishers, Norway’s Heidi Weng (l) in second and Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (r) in third in the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell (c) after becoming the first U.S. woman to win a World Cup classic sprint with the other podium finishers, Norway’s Heidi Weng (l) in second and Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (r) in third the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell after winning the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell checks in with her boyfriend Simi Hamilton’s parents after winning her first World Cup, the Tour de Ski classic sprint in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Ida Sargent (U.S. Ski Team) qualifying 24th in the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. She went on to place 15th. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sophie Caldwell during a post-race TV interview with FIS after winning the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Ida Sargent ( U.S. Ski Team) racing to third in her quarterfinal for 15th overall at the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Jessie Diggins (U.S. Ski Team) qualified 11th and went on to place 21st in the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Jessie Diggins (U.S. Ski Team) qualified 11th and went on to place 21st in the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Jessie Diggins (11) during her quarterfinal of the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. The American placed fifth after crashing with Hanna Falk (18). (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Rosie Brennan (U.S. Ski Team) racing to 35th in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Rosie Brennan (U.S. Ski Team) racing to 35th in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sadie Bjornsen (U.S. Ski Team) racing to 44th in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Sadie Bjornsen (U.S. Ski Team) racing to 44th in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Liz Stephen (U.S. Ski Team) on her way to 49th during the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Andy Newell (U.S. Ski Team) qualifying ninth in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. He went on to place fourth in his quarterfinal for 17th overall. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Erik Bjornsen (U.S. Ski Team) finished 38th in the qualifier of the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Noah Hoffman (U.S. Ski Team) finished 61st in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Len Valjas (Canadian World Cup Team) qualified 25th and ended up 10th overall in the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Alex Harvey (Canadian World Cup Team) qualified 13th and went on to place third in his quarterfinal for 15th overall at the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Devon Kershaw (Canadian World Cup Team) finished 34th in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Ivan Babikov (Canadian World Cup Team) placed 59th in the 1.2 k classic sprint qualifier at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Ivan Babikov, racing on the World Cup in 2016
Emil Iversen of Norway celebrates his first World Cup win in the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby qualified 11th and went on to place fourth in the final of the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. Now, he not only leads the overall Tour standings, but the Sprint Tour standings as well. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
Norway’s Petter Northug qualified fifth and went on to place fifth in the final of the 1.2 k classic sprint at Stage 4 of the Tour de Ski in Oberstdorf, Germany. (Photo: Marcel Hilger)
HOUGHTON, Mich. — Day 1 of the 2016 U.S. Cross Country Championships began with the women’s 10-kilometer and men’s 15 k classic individual starts on Sunday at the Michigan Tech Trails.
Caitlin Patterson (Bib no. 333) of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project is the races to first place overall finish in the women’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Her brother, Scott Patterson of Alaska Pacific University also took first in the men’s event. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Alaska Pacific University’s Scott Patterson (r) leading Northern Michigan’s Adam Martin during the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Patterson took first in 40:26.4 and Martin third (+20.6). (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Alaska Pacific University’s Scott Patterson (l) leads Northern Michigan’s Adam Martin during the second lap of the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Patterson won the individual start in 40:26.4 and Martin placed third (+20.6). (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
The Alberta World Cup Academy’s Kevin Sandau striding it out during the first lap of the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Sandau went on to place second overall (+19.0).
Alaska Pacific University’s Chelsea Holmes racing to a third place finish overall in the women’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Left to right: Alaska Pacific University’s Eric Packer powers around a corner ahead of Stratton Mountain School/U.S. Ski Team’s Paddy Caldwell and Team Gregg/Madshus’ Brian Gregg during the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich.
Kaitlynn Miller of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project racing to a second place finish overall in the women’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Alaska Pacific University’s Becca Rorabaugh (r) gets splits early on from APU head coach Erik Flora during the women’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Rorabaugh went on to finish fifth overall (+1:09.0).
Katharine Ogden of the Stratton Mountain School and U.S. Ski Team races to a fourth place finish overall (+1:05.1) in the women’s 15 k classic individual start at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Brian Gregg of Team Gregg/Madshus striding during the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Gregg placed fifth overall. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Boulder Nordic Junior Racing Team’s Eliska Hajkova races to a sixth place finish overall in the women’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich.
Kris Freeman of Team Freebird strides to a sixth place finish overall (+40.8) during the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich.
Canadian Kevin Sandau (Alberta World Cup Academy) racing to second place in the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Alaska Pacific University’s Lex Treinen during his second lap of the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Treinen went on to place eight overall (+52.5).
Matt Liebsch of Gear West/Salomon and Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Miles Havlick head towards the finishing stretch of the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Liebsch finished ninth overall (+57.3).
Stratton Mountain School’s Anne Hart leads teammate Erika Flowers to the finish of the women’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Hart placed eighth overall (+2:44.4) while Flowers took tenth (+3:03.4).
Central Cross Country’s Kyle Bratrud coming into the finishing stretch during the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich.
Alaska Pacific University’s Rosie Frankowski (r) receives splits from APU head coach Erik Flora during the women’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Frankowski finished ninth overall (+1:52.8).
Northern Michigan University’s Ian Torchia skiing to a seventh place finish (+ 47.8) on Sunday during the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. His teammate, Adam Martin (NMU) (not shown) took second overall.
Alaska Pacific University’s Eric Packer was the third American and fourth overall in the men’s 15 k classic on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. (Photo: Christopher Schmidt)
Thunder Bay Nordic Development Center’s Michael Somppi (l) in front of Northern Michigan University’s Fredrik Schwencke (NMU) during the first lap of the men’s 15 k classic individual start on Sunday at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Somppi skied to a 10th place finish overall (+57.9).
The Craftsbury Green Racing Project women’s team: (from l to r) Caitlin Patterson, Kaitlynn Miller, coach Pepa Miloucheva, Liz Guiney, and Heather Mooney after the women’s 15 k classic individual start on at 2016 U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich. Patterson and Miller placed first and second, respectively, on Sunday in the women’s 10 k classic on Day 1 of U.S. nationals.
Canadian World Cup Team sprinter Lenny Valjas breaking away from the pack in Monday’s Frozen Thunder classic sprint at the Canmore Nordic Centre in Canmore, Alberta. Valjas won each of his heats en route to the final victory, ahead of Jess Cockney, Ivan Babikov, and Julien Locke, respectively. (Photo: Noel Rogers/Bow Valley Photography)
(Photo: Noel Rogers/Bow Valley Photography)
It wasn’t easy, but the crew at the Canmore Nordic Centre got it done. Warmer temperatures last winter limited the production (and ultimately the stockpiling) of artificial snow — the stuff essential for Canada’s preseason, home-based training each October in Canmore, Alberta. But last week, organizers were able to roll out a one-kilometer loop of snow, which was shorter than usual but enough to hold at least one race: the Frozen Thunder classic sprint on Monday.
“We have a slightly smaller loop than we had before because we had so many warm temperatures last February and March; they couldn’t actually blow the snow,” Canadian National Team Head Coach Justin Wadsworth explained in a phone interview last Friday.
Without a distance race on the docket as well, Wadsworth anticipated the field for the sprint would be smaller.
“I think people did hear that the pile of snow was smaller so the U.S. and some of our Eastern Canadian clubs and programs have decided to stay where they are and not ski on a smaller loop,” he said. “There’s also a snow pile at Forêt Montmorency in Quebec so they’ll start grooming there fairly soon. Thunder Bay and a lot of the Quebec and Ontario teams will be there training.”
The Frozen Thunder sprint drew just over 50 competitors for the King’s Court format, which allowed everybody — junior men, junior women, senior men, and senior women — to compete in a mixed field and race a qualifier and three heats.
Best known as a distance skier, Emily Nishikawa, the woman with the most World Cup experience currently on Canada’s national team, earned the senior women’s sprint title. In the final, she topped two junior men, Peter Hicks and Alec Stapff, and senior woman Andrea Dupont (Rocky Mountain Racers) to do so.
“Frozen Thunder is always a fun way to start off the race season, it was good to get a bib on and push hard, but in a low-key, relaxed atmosphere,” Nishikawa, 26, wrote in an email. “I was racing against younger boys for most of my heats, so that was fun and different. The conditions were pretty soft on the track, but it is good to practice skiing in that type of condition. I was pleasantly surprised to do that well in a sprint race, as I have been focusing more on distance racing!”
Canadian World Cup Team member Lenny Valjas, 26, dominated the senior men’s field, winning each of his heats and beating fellow national-team members Jess Cockney and Ivan Babikov, and Julien Locke (Black Jack) in the final.
“Lenny’s back as good as we’ve ever seen him before,” Wadsworth said before the sprint. “He’s super fit. He’s had a consistent summer of training.”
Both Nishikawa and Valjas set the fastest times in the morning qualifier by nearly four seconds.
A happy spectator at 2015 Canadian Ski Nationals at Lappe Nordic in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (All photos: Martin Kaiser)
Canadian Ski Nationals in Thunder Bay, Ontario, capped off the 2014/2015 domestic season in Canada from March 14-21. Here are some of our favorite photos and athlete comments from the weeklong series at the Lappe Nordic Centre, courtesy of Martin Kaiser. (Quotes collected via email by Gerry Furseth and François Léger Dionne.)
2015 Canadian Nationals freestyle team sprints at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals freestyle team sprints at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals freestyle team sprints at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals freestyle team sprints at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals freestyle team sprints at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals freestyle team sprints at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals freestyle team sprints at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals freestyle team sprints at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
On highlights:
“I was really happy to get my first senior national title in the 5km free. I didn’t get any splits until 4k so I didn’t know how it was going results wise but I was pushing as hard as I could and made sure to race the first portion that was flatter like a sprint prologue so I wouldn’t give up too much time before the climbing. … There have been lots of great moments this week but I have to say my favourite was when Peri [Jones] came over to me at the end of the 5k free and told me that I had won. ” — Dahria Beatty (AWCA/NST-U23), who beat World Cup veteran Perianne Jones by 3.7 seconds in the women’s 5 k skate
“One of my favourite moments was when [teammate] Peri [Jones] came across the finish line in second in the team sprint. It was an amazing feeling to have won a medal with someone who has been a[n] inspiration for me for a very long time.” — Katherine Stewart-Jones (Nakkertok/NST-Junior Team), 2nd in the freestyle team sprint with Perianne Jones
“I think my favorite moment was seeing all my friends again after a long time being gone in Europe for racing. Seeing faces I know everywhere and talking to people I know was really nice. And I also really enjoyed hearing my name when people were cheering during races. Being back home, this feeling is just great!” — Cendrine Browne (CNEPH/NST-U23), 3rd in 10 k classic and 30 k freestyle mass start
On exceeding goals:
“My focus events were the skate races. The team sprint, 10km and 50km. I can’t believe I was able to win gold in all three.” — Michael Somppi (AWCA/NST-Dev.), 1st place in the freestyle team sprint, 10 k freestyle and 50 k freestyle mass start at 2015 Canadian Nationals
2015 Canadian Nationals men’s 50 k freestyle mass start at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals men’s 50 k freestyle mass start at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals men’s 50 k freestyle mass start at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals men’s 50 k freestyle mass start at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals women’s 30 k freestyle mass start at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals women’s 30 k freestyle mass start at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals junior girls 7.5 k freestyle mass start at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals junior women’s 7.5 k freestyle mass start at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals junior girls 7.5 k freestyle mass start at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals men’s classic sprint at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals women’s classic sprint semifinal at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals junior men’s classic sprint A-final at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
2015 Canadian Nationals junior men’s classic sprint B-final at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
Junior women’s sprint huddle at 2015 Canadian Nationals at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
Junior women at 2015 Canadian Nationals at Lappe Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (Photo: Martin Kaiser)
On beating World Cup veteran Ivan Babikov in the 50 k freestyle mass start:
“When we neared the final kms it was apparent Ivan’s legs were cramping up and as we crested over the 2nd last big climb I noticed I had a small gap on him. So I just blasted with everything I had left and opened up a good margin to the finish line … It was just an amazing feeling coming into the finish with the home crowd cheering me on. Maybe that’s what helped me feel so good … and really, this whole week.” — Somppi
On overcoming adversity:
“In the qualifier I broke a binding on the last hill so I had to stop and put it back on, which took about a minute and a half. Luckily, there were only 28 girls in the race so I qualified anyway with bib number 28. I was pretty rattled after breaking a binding but I managed to calm down and focus on the heats. I knew that before I had broken the binding my race had been going well so I was confident that I could ski well in the heats. Because of my low bib number, I was put in the hardest quarter-final and in the hardest semi-final and was lucky looser in both of the races, At that point, I was pretty relieved to have made the final. Overall I am happy with my fourth place because I skied as hard as I could and I am happy with how I skied.” — K. Stewart-Jones, 4th in junior women’s classic sprint
On a long season:
“[It] feels like travel and all 180km of racing that I’ve done in the past 4 weeks finally [caught] up to me.” — Ivan Babikov (Canadian World Cup Team)
“I’m skiing as fast as I can and with all the energy that I have left.” — Browne, 3rd in 10 k classic
“Considering my lead-up to Nationals wasn’t ideal, with racing in Lahti the weekend beforehand and traveling back to Canada on Monday, I’m happy with the consistency of my performances.” — Somppi
SUN VALLEY, Idaho — FasterSkier is on-site to witness the thrilling end-of-year action at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in central Idaho. With two of four races completed, Spring Series has seen Sadie Bjornsen of the U.S. Ski Team and Alaska Pacific University claim both the 10 k classic and 1.2 k freestyle sprint titles. Brother Erik Bjornsen continued the family’s winning ways with his victory in Saturday’s 15 k classic. Stratton Mountain School T2 teammates Andy Newell and Simi Hamilton finished 1-2 in a close battle in Sunday’s 1.2 k freestyle sprint.
Check out our photo gallery from the weekend’s races below. The 2015 SuperTour Finals continue Tuesday with a 4 x 5 k mixed relay and conclude with the U.S. Distance Nationals 30/50 k freestyle mass starts Thursday.
10 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
Caitlin Patterson (Craftsbury Green Racing Project) racing to ninth in the 10 k classic individual start on March 21 at 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
10 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
10 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
10 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
10 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
10 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
Liz Stephen (USST/Burke Mountain Academy) strides to third in Saturday’s 10 k classic at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
10 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
Chelsea Holmes (APU) skis to second in Saturday’s 10 k classic at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Sadie Bjornsen (USST/APU) skiing to win the 10 k classic at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
Andy Newell is one of two men on the USST A-team in the 2015/2016 season. Here the SMST2 skier is racing in the 15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
Mads Ek Strøm (University of Colorado) strides to third in Saturday’s 15 k classic in Sun Valley, Idaho at the 2015 SuperTour Finals.
Lex Treinen (APU) skis to second in Saturday’s 15 k classic at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
15 k classic individual start at the 2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
Erik Bjornsen en route to his 58.5 second victory in the 15 k classic at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
2015 Super Tour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
Colorado’s Mads Ek Strøm leads Simi Hamilton (10) and Alex Howe (1) in the first quarterfinal of the Sunday’s 1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho. Stream eventually finished sixth, while Hamilton placed second. Howe broke two poles to finish third in the heat but did not advance as lucky loser.
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
The start of the men’s final at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Andy Newell (7) gains a slight advantage over SMST2 teammate Simi Hamilton (10) as they cross the finish of the 1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals.
Sunday’s 1.2 k freestyle sprint podium at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho. Andy Newell (1) claimed victory over teammate Simi Hamilton (2) and Bend Endurance Academy’s Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (3).
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
Sadie Bjornsen follows the University of Colorado’s Petra Hycicova in first women’s semifinal at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Middlebury College’s Kelsey Phinney (13), eventual second place finisher, follows Liz Stephen in the second semifinal of the 1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals.
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
1.2 k freestyle sprint at the 2015 SuperTour Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho
Sadie Bjornsen (USST/APU) celebrates her win in Sunday’s 1.2 k freestyle sprint. The victory is her second of the SuperTour Finals after she won Saturday’s 10 k classic on the first day of racing in Sun Valley, Idaho.
The women’s 1.2 k freestyle sprint podium at the 2015 SuperTour Finals.
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — The 2015 NCAA Skiing Championships took place March 11 to 14 in upstate New York to conclude the exciting 2015 collegiate season. The University of Colorado won its 20th NCAA title after strong performances in the week’s four races, while the University of Denver surged to second after winning Saturday’s slalom. The University of Utah placed third overall. Check out photos from the nordic events below.
Friday’s 15/20 k classic mass starts: race report | women’s results | men’s results
University of Colorado, 2015 NCAA Champions.
University of Denver, second, 2015 NCAA Championships.
University of Utah, third, 2015 NCAA Championships.
University of Vermont, fourth, 2015 NCAA Championships.
The women’s podium in the 15 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
The men’s podium in the 20 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Northern Michigan assistant coach Haakon Baanerud hugs NMU athlete and 20 k champion, Fredrik Schwencke, at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Northern Michigan head coach Sten Fjeldhiem hugs NMU athlete and 20 k champion, Fredrik Schwencke, at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Fredrik Schwencke (9) of NMU celebrates his win in the 2015 NCAA 20 k classic mass start with teammate Kyle Bratrud.
Mads Strøm, Fredrik Schwencke, Rune Ødegård, and Aku Nikander enter the stadium at the end of the 20 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid.
Fredrik Schwencke and Mads Strøm double-pole toward the finish as Rune Ødegård and Aku Nikander crash before the line.
Fredrik Schwencke celebrates his win as he crosses the line ahead of CU’s Mads Strøm in the 20 k classic at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Rune Ødegård recovers from the late crash to ski across the line in third in the 20 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Rune Ødegård recovers from the late crash to ski across the line in third in the 20 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Fans at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Fans at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Fredrik Schwencke leads the men’s 20 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
The men’s 20 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Aku Nikander of UNM leads Rune Malo Ødegård of CU and Fredrik Schwencke of NMU in the final lap of the 2015 NCAA 20 k classic mass start.
Colorado’s Rune Malo Ødegård leads teammate Mads Ek Strøm in the first lap of the 20 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
The men’s 20 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
The pack at the 2 k mark of the men’s 20 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Denver skier and third place finisher Sylvia Nordskar congratulates 15 k classic victor Emilie Cedervaern of New Mexico at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
New Mexico’s Emilie Cedervaern collapses after her win in Friday’s 15 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid. Utah’s Veronika Mayerhofer catches her breath after finishing second.
Sloan Storey crosses the line in fifth as the first American in the 15 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Sylvia Nordskar crosses the line in fifth as the first American in the 15 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
New Mexico’s Emilie Cedervaern celebrates her win in Friday’s 15 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid.
The women’s 15 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
New Mexico’s Emilie Cedervaern leads Utah’s Veronika Mayerhofer in the first kilometers of Friday’s 15 k classic mass start at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid.
The men’s 10 k freestyle interval start podium at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y. Taking the top three spots were Dartmouth’s Patrick Caldwell, Denver’s Moritz Madlener (not pictured), and Colorado’s Rune Malo Ødegård.
Dartmouth’s Paddy Caldwell hugs Vermont’s Rogan Brown at the finish of the 10 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Patrick Caldwell and Rune Malo Ødegård congratulate each other after the two placed first and third in the 10 k at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid.
Dartmouth’s Patrick Caldwell celebrates his first NCAA win in Wednesday’s 10 k freestyle.
The finish of the 2015 NCAA Championships freestyle races at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Dartmouth’s Patrick Caldwell skiing to his first NCAA win in Wednesday’s 10 k freestyle.
Dartmouth’s Patrick Caldwell skiing to his first NCAA win in Wednesday’s 10 k freestyle.
Moritz Madlener of The University of Denver skied to second in the 10 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Colorado’s Rune Malo Ødegård en route to third in Wednesday’s 10 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid.
Forrest Mahlen (l) of MSU and Mads Ek Strøm (r) of CU climb one of the many hills in Wednesday’s 10 k at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid. Strøm finished fourth while Mahlen finished fifth.
Montana State University’s Forrest Mahlen (l) finished fifth in Wednesday’s 10 k freestyle. Colorado’s Mads Ek Strøm, who finished fourth, follows.
Alpine skiers and the men’s nordic team from the University of Vermont cheer on the women’s 5 k at the 2015 NCAA Championships.
The women’s podium in 5 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid. Utah’s Veronika Mayerhofer took the win, while Denver’s Sylvia Nordskar placed second and Emilie Cedervaer claimed third.
Cambria McDermott, fourth place and top American finisher in the 2015 NCAA Championship 5 k, high fives Montana State University Head Coach Kristina Trygstad-Saari.
Utah women celebrate two in the top five in Wednesday’s 5 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Veronika Mayerhofer crosses the line to win Wednesday’s 5 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Veronika Mayerhofer en route to a win in the 5 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid.
Sylvia Nordskar of the University of Denver earned her third NCAA podium with second in Wednesday’s 5 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
New Mexico’s Emilie Cedervaern skiing to her third place finish in Wednesday’s 5 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Montana State University’s Cambria McDermott skiing to fourth in Wednesday’s 5 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
University of Utah’s Sloan Storey skiing to fifth in Wednesday’s 5 k freestyle at the 2015 NCAA Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Photographer John Lazenby was also in northern Vermont to document the weekend’s events. Check out his shots from the races below. For more photos visit his website.
Kris Freeman wearing the 2014/2015 yellow SuperTour leader’s bib en route to a win in the Craftsbury SuperTour 15 k classic mass start in February 2015. (Photo: John Lazenby/lazenbyphoto.com)
10 k G at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on the morning of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Austria’s Tomas Druml celebrates a win on Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah, following the 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on Friday, Dec. 12. Lukas Greiderer placed second and Marco Pichlmayer placed second and third, respectively, as part of a top-five Austrian sweep. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Austria’s Tomas Druml celebrates a win on Day 1 of FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah, following the 10 k race at Gorgoza Park on Friday, Dec. 12. Lukas Greiderer placed second and Marco Pichlmayer placed second and third, respectively, as part of a top-five Austrian sweep. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: jumping on the 100-meter normal hill on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: jumping on the 100-meter normal hill on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: jumping at Utah Olympic Park on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Utah Olympic Park in Park City: jump-out run on the 100-meter normal hill on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Utah Olympic Park in Park City: jump-out run on the 100-meter normal hill on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Utah Olympic Park in Park City: jump-out run on the 100-meter normal hill on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Utah Olympic Park in Park City: jump-out run on the 100-meter normal hill on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: jumping on the 100-meter normal hill on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: jumping on the 100-meter normal hill on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City: jumping on the 100-meter normal hill on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 12. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
The Russian team gets in some kicks between wind delays on Friday, Dec. 12, the FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Rosalie Lipfert)
Park City, Utah, played host to the FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup opener last week, Thursday, Dec. 11 through Saturday, Dec. 13, despite balmy temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and venue changes. The cross-country races were moved to the Gorgoza Park tubing complex, where there was enough stocked up, manmade snow to create a 1.7-kilometer loop with “plenty of spectator-friendly hills and turns,” according to a press release.
Jumping kicked off on Thursday at Utah Olympic Park with Austria’s Lukas Greiderer besting the field on an afternoon with “subtle, swirly winds,” according to a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA) press release.
Greiderer posted the top jump of 92.5 meters on the 100-meter normal hill, followed by Germans Tobias Simon and Philipp Blaurock, respectively.
The top American in his first competition of the season, Billy Demong tied Russia’s Timofey Borisov in eighth with an 84.5-meter jump, and Ben Berend notched 22nd while Taylor Fletcher jumped to 26th.
On Friday morning, Dec. 12, Greiderer started the 10-kilometer individual Gundersen at the Gorgoza Park tubing hill 4 seconds ahead of Simon and 6 seconds ahead of Blaurock. Demong started 1:02 back, followed by U.S. teammates Berend (+1:50) and Fletcher (+2:16).
“It’s going to be a really tough cross-country event, especially if it’s icy,” Fletcher told USSA before Friday’s race. “But I feel I have the ability to catch the field.”
Despite what turned out to be icy conditions at the tubing park (with the 10 k races held there because of low snow at Utah Olympic Park), Fletcher ended up posting the third-fastest ski time to finish as the top American in eighth on Friday.
Austria’s Tomaz Druml won it in 29:17.2 minutes after starting 40 seconds behind and posting the second-fastest time, behind France’s Geoffrey Lafarge, who improved from 28th in the jump to sixth overall. Greiderer took second, 18.7 seconds back, and Marco Pichlmayer placed third (+57.6) to complete the Austrian podium sweep. In fact, Austria occupied the top five with Alexander Brandner in fourth and Harald Lemmerer in fifth.
Demong placed 13th and Berend finished 23rd, just 0.4 seconds ahead of teammate Michael Ward in 24th.
“This was perhaps the most difficult nordic-combined race I’ve done,” Demong said of the six-lap course with three hills per lap.
Jumping at Utah Olympic Park at the Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
Jumping at Utah Olympic Park at the Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
Jumping at Utah Olympic Park at the Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
Jumping at Utah Olympic Park at the Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
Jumping at Utah Olympic Park at the Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
Day 2 of the FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Gorgoza Park in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 2 of the FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Gorgoza Park in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
Day 2 of the FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Gorgoza Park in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
Day 1 of Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
Day 2 of the FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Gorgoza Park in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 2 of the FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Gorgoza Park in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
Day 1 of Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
Michael Ward leads fellow American Colin Delaney in the second 10 k in two days at the FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. Ward placed 28th and Delaney was 29th. (Photo: Paul Loomis)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
Ben Berend racing to 23rd on Day 1 of the Nordic Combined Continental Cup in Park City, Utah. (Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
(Photo: Craig Ward)
Japan’s Yuseke Minatojumped the farthest in the second competition on Friday afternoon, giving him a 6-second head start on teammate Go Sonehara.Blaurock started 10 seconds back in third, followed by Austria’s Franz-Josef Rehrl (+14) and Druml (+24).
Demong posted the best U.S. jump for the second-straight day and started the 10 k race in 14th, 1:20 minutes behind Minato.
Fletcher jumped to 20th with a 1:36 starting deficit. He made it up quickly, posting the fastest time of the day in the 10 k to finish fifth.
Druml raced to his his second-straight win in 26:16.9, edging Italian runner-up Lukas Runggaldier by 2.9 seconds. Minato hung on for third, 25.8 seconds behind Druml, and Greiderer was fourth (+33.9).
Demong placed 17th (+2:53.8) and the U.S. had four in the top 30 with Michael Ward in 28th (+3:52.3) and Colin Delaney (New York Ski Education Foundation) finishing 7.6 seconds later in 29th for his first Continental Cup points.
Jasper Good (Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club) just missed the points in 32nd, Ben Loomis (Flying Eagles Ski Club) placed 35th for career bests for both skiers. Ben Berend placed 40th.
The Soldier Hollow organizing committee hosted the two-day event, and executive director Richard Hodges emphasized the amount of effort it took to pull off the competitions given the warm conditions and lack of snow. He said Soldier Hollow, Park City, Gorgoza and The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) worked together to pull off the cross-country races: making snow, moving snow, and being flexible when it came to schedule changes.
The Nordic Combined World Cup circuit resumes in Ramsau, Austria, on Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21. Americans expected to compete include Taylor and Bryan Fletcher, Billy Demong, and Adam Loomis.
The Bozeman, Mont. SuperTour races have come and gone but you can still re-live them through the two photo galleries featured below. With action Dec. 6-7 at the trails of Bohart Ranch in the form of a classic sprint and 10/15 k classic mass start, the country’s best gathered for the second weekend of domestic racing which proved just as exciting as the first.
Women’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Women’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Rosie Brennan, 1st (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Women’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Jennie Bender, 2nd (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Caitlin Patterson, 3rd (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s A final (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s podium (l-r) ben Saxton (2), Patrick Stewart Jones (1), Matt Gelso (3), Kris Freeman (4) Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (5), Rune Ødegård (6) (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
Men’s podium (Photo: Alex Diekmann/Bridger Ski Foundation)
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