March 3, 2008
Déjà vu All Over Again;
Masters World Cup – Day Three
By Ron Bergin
As good as day two of Masters World Cup competition was, day three was its equal. A near carbon copy of weather conditions and corresponding wax requirements greeted the 1,200+ Nordic skiers from 23 nations. Thus far daily competition has been technique-specific, alternating days from classic to freestyle. Monday’s events offered a full slate of both classic and freestyle events at 10 km and 5 km.
Nearly ideal snow conditions made for long gliding, fast skating across the age classes. Classic competition got underway at 9:00 a.m. Following a short intermission, freestyle starts commenced at 12:30.
At only a distance of 10 km it soon became a scenario of starting waves launching on one side of the venue, while sprinting finishers began entering the final 200 meters on the other side. Spectators could look one way and watch friends and compatriots head out on the trail and look the other way to see them finish.
But of course…
The 2008 Masters World Cup race courses take advantage of nearly all the trails at Ponderosa State Park. The park, having hosted numerous national level events, has several FIS homologated racecourses. Though generally on the less strenuous side, there are plenty of places for heart rates to escalate and lactate to accumulate, including the nearly one kilometer long “O2 Hill.” Course configurations include 15 km A for men in M1-M6 classes, 15 km B for women, slightly less technical with less climbing, 10km A, 10km B and 5 km. In general, women and the oldest age classes utilize the B courses or skied a shorter alternative.
Monday’s events were 10 km classic and freestyle events. Fast conditions, solid tracks and firm skate lanes contributed to many happy faces as skiers blazed around the course.
The medal count continued to grow for U.S. skiers as American Nords enjoyed strutting their stuff on the home turf. The Euros, however, showed everyone how it was done with Russia, Norway and Italy at the forefront of the medal hunt.
U.S. medal winners during Monday’s competitions:
Classic: Brad Bauer (M1-2nd), Dan Streubel (M2-3rd), Dale Niggeman (M3-2nd), Swen Wiik (M12-2nd), Inge Scheve (F1-1st), Mary Wellington (F2-1st), Laura McCabe (F3-2nd), Leslie Hall (F3-3rd), Beth Reid (F4-1st), Muffy Ritz (F5-2nd), Ginny Price (F6-2nd), Carolyn Tiernan (F6-3rd), Tina Hosmer (F7-1st), Beth Schluter (F7-3rd), Barbara Lewis (F9-3rd), Coralyn Carl (F10-2nd), Sara Martin (F10-3rd).
Freestyle: Adam Swank (M1-2nd), Joseph Jensen (M1-3rd), Michael Brothers (M2-2nd), Eric Jensen (M3-2nd), Ian Harvey (M3-3rd), Kent Murdoch (M4-2nd), David Maclean (M4-3rd), Jon Engen (M5-1st), Rick Reynolds (M5-2nd), Murray Banks (M7-3rd), Mack Miller (M10-3rd), Charley French (M11-1st), Tom Gibbons M11-3rd), Daniel Bulkley (M12-1st), Phil Puchner (M12-2nd), Melissa Lewis (F2-1st), Julie Welty (F2-2nd), Roxanne Toly (F4-3rd), Kate Ellis (F5-3rd), Jane Banks (F6-3rd), Gabrielle Andersen (F7-1st), June Lane (F7-2nd), Joanne Davis (F9-2nd), Anne Gini (F9-3rd).
Tuesday is a rest day at the 2008 Masters World Cup. Competition resumes on Wednesday with National Team Relays.
For complete results, visit www.mwc2008.com.
MASTERS WORLD CUP MEDAL COUNT |
|
|
DAY THREE |
|
|
|
GOLD |
SIVLER |
BRONZE |
AUSTRIA |
1 |
|
1 |
CANADA |
4 |
4 |
5 |
ESTONIA |
1 |
|
1 |
FRANCE |
1 |
1 |
|
GERMANY |
1 |
4 |
2 |
GREAT BRITAIN |
1 |
|
|
ITALY |
2 |
|
3 |
NORWAY |
9 |
6 |
2 |
RUSSIA |
12 |
9 |
10 |
SWITZERLAND |
|
1 |
|
SWEDEN |
1 |
1 |
1 |
USA |
9 |
16 |
16 |
|
