Sprint F women and men, 31.01.2006
Morgan Smyth of Northern Michigan University had the top North American finish in the opening race of the World Junior Championships today, the sprint event. Smyth placed 7th. All three of the other American women also advanced into the elimination heats: Sadie Bjornsen (Methow Valley) was 15th, Liz Stephen (Burke Mtn Academy) was 24th and Tazlina Mannix (Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center) was 28th. Canadian results: Amanda Ammar 32nd, Hannah Perry 50th, Kate Brennan 52nd, Brittany Webster 56th.
In the men's race, Alex Harvey of Canada was the top North American in 16th place. Hakkon James Lenes (CAN) was 29th, Jackson Harris (Sun Valley) was 33rd, Brent McMurtry (CAN) was 35th, Matthew Johnson (Middlebury College) was 37th, Matthew Gelso (Auburn Ski Club) was 44th, Frederic Touchette (CAN) was 50th, and Nate Berry was 61st.
Norwegians victories
Astrid Jacobsen and Petter Northug are the new Sprint Junior World Ski Champions 2006 in the free style. The 19-year-old Jacobsen finish just ahead of the Russian Natalia Mateeva and the 17-year-old Celine Brun-Lie from Norway.
For Jacobsen it is the highlight of the season. She outbid with this victory her second place from last year's Junior World Championships in
Rovaniemi (FIN).
Petter Northug, the last year Junior World Champion in the 10 km free style, won today the title in the Sprint race. The second place took the German Daniel Heun just ahead of the 18-year old Russian Anton Smirnov.
Spectators: 1.000
Weather, cloudy, +4°C
Quotes:
Astrid Jacobsen, NOR: “I'm very satisfied about my today's race and I'm happy about my Junior World Champion title. Now I will try to make good races this week and also the rest of the season. Next year I will still be a Junior and will prepare me than for the women's races that I'm also their successful.”
Natalia Mateeva, RUS: I'm happy about my race. It was so soft and tough with this conditions today. I have won the second place and don't lost the victory. My preparation was not only for this Junior World Championships, I will also take part at the Olympics.”
Celine Burn-Lie, NOR: “It was a perfect race for me today. I'm very proud of me. It was my first big competition so I was also quite nervous. For the future I will only get better and better. The whole cross-country team in Norway is so strong that you have be very good to get a starting place in the big competitions.”
Petter Northug, NOR: “I'm very satisfied about my victory in the today's race. It was one of my main goals to get a Junior World Champion. I'm not angry about the non-nomination for the Olympics. I will get my chance later.”
Daniel Heun, GER: “Petter was today to strong and on the last uphill I felt down of my knees because of the so soft snow. My goal for this year is to get the B-cadre status in the German Ski Federation and maybe also for the next season to start in the one or other World Cup.”
Anton Smirnov, RUS: “I'm only happy today. It was my first big event and I won a medal that is for me at the moment unbelievable. Now I will go back to the hotel and concentrate my on the next races but you can be sure that I will celebrate my medal with my team afterwards.”
Full Results: http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/1228.html?event_id=17492&cal_suchsector=CC
