The 2006 Masters World Cup provided a fine prelude to the Torino Olympics. The championship was hosted by the town of Brusson in the picturesque Ayas Valley in the Aosta region north of Torino. The Ayas Valley is nestled in under Monte Rosa, sharing the view of the peaks visible form Zermatt and Charmonix on the respective Swiss and French sides of the same mountains. The ski conditions were first class, and the experienced World Cup organizer did a good job logistically as well as keeping the week long event fun and festive for all. The area in general lacked snow, but the ski courses were immaculately prepared with a mixture of natural and man-made snow. The World Masters is still an event open for everybody, but the experienced eye noticed that the average skier in this championship was a notch above what we have seen in the past. Russia fielded over 300 skiers in this year’s event, followed by the host country Italy and the USA who had about 130 skiers. Canada was also well represented. We saw strong participation from all over Europe and Scandinavia, and a team, who also captured medals, from Australia.
The US skiers fared very well throughout the week. Mainly represented in the age groups from 40 and up, the US captured medals across the distances and disciplines. The perhaps most inspiring performances came in the relays. The US quartet of Gabriele Andersen, Trina Hosmer, Dagmar Eriksson and Elisabeth Schluter were over 7 minutes ahead of the competition, led by Russia, for the gold medal in 4 x 5km for ladies over 60. It should also be mentioned that all these ladies made several visits to the awards podium throughout the week. The other US relay medal came to Milan Baic, David Edic, David MacLean and Jon Engen in men’s 45 – 49. They captured the bronze medal after Russia and Italy in this highly contested race.
The top American honors should go to Aimee Frenette of Sun Valley, Idaho who stopped during her 30K to give CPR to an older gentleman from Norway falling over on the course. A nurse by profession, Aimee recognized the symptoms of the fallen individual and kept up the procedure until additional help arrived. Unfortunately, this was a case of cardiac arrest where nothing could be done, but Aimee did her best.
US medals came as follows (as we tallied per name, class and event…):
Gold
Gabriele Andersen F07 – 15K Classic – 10K freestyle – Relay
Dagmar Eriksson F07 – Relay
Bert Larsson M11 – 10K classic – 5K classic – 15K classic
Trina Hosmer F07 – 15K freestyle – 10K classic – 30K freestyle – Relay
Elizabeth Schulter F07 – Relay
Jon Engen M04 – 30K freestyle – 45K freestyle
Del Pletcher M07 – 10K freestyle – 30K freestyle
Richard Mize M09 – 15K freestyle – 10K freestyle – 30K freestyle
Silver
Ginny Price F05 – 15K classic
Gretchen Lindren F06 – 15K classic
Muffy Ritz M04 – 30K freestyle
Ann Mize F06 – 10K freestyle – 30K freestyle
Elizabeth Schulter F07 – 15K freestyle
Jon Engen M04 – 10K freestyle
Del Pletcher M07 – 15K freestyle
Sarah Martin F10 – 15K freestyle
Bronze
Ginny Price F05 – 30K freestyle
Meg Heerdt F06 – 15K classic
Gabriele Andersen F07- 30K freestyle
Elizabeth Schulter F07 – 10K classic
Dagmar Eriksson F07 – 15K classic – 10K freestyle
Muffy Ritz M04 – 15K freestyle
Ann Mize F06 – 15K freestyle
Jon Engen M04 – Relay
Erika Monahan F01 – 30K classic
Maggie Filmore F06 – 30K freestyle
Milan Baic M04 – Relay
David Mclean M04 – Relay
David Edic M04 – Relay
You will find more on www.mwc2006.com including full results.
