SESTRIERE, Italy — He may not have been on top of the podium, but for Steve Cook (Salt Lake City, Utah) the smile on his face told it all. After already winning two gold medals at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Cook was on the podium for a third time, this time wearing bronze with his third place finish in the men's standing 20K classic race.
“This has been an amazing week. I've had so much fun,” he said. “I am happy with my race today. It was a tough, long race. The Russians were on fire today and I did everything in my power to hang on, but they just had a little more in the tank than I did. I am not disappointed with third place at all. This whole week has been incredible.”
 finished 16th with a time of 1:05:17.2. These were Crenshaw's fourth Paralympic Games, and at 51 years old, they are likely his last. </p>
<p>“This has been awesome. Being here with this team was a blast, and I'm happy with the way I skied. I definitely enjoyed the relay the most, the team events are where it's at. Just being here and seeing Cook win gold was enough for me.”</p>
<p>First time Paralympian Dan Perkins (Syracuse, N.Y.) took 19th place in the 20K with a time of 1:07.02.9. Though he did not place as high as he would have hoped, he said that the experience alone was one that he will always remember.</p>
<p>“The Paralympic Games are pretty incredible,” he said. “I am so impressed with the competition.” </p>
<p>Perkins echoed praise for Cook's performances. “He is the best in the world – the golden boy. To be able to train with Cook and Crenshaw is a huge benefit for me. They are two of the greatest models and competitors in the sport. We have a great time together and that's what it is all about. We compete hard and then we have fun.”</p>
<p>On the women's side, Kelly Underkofler (St. Paul, Minn.) took 10th place in the 15K classic race, finishing with a time of 1:01:44.5. First place went to Katarzyna Bogowiec of Poland (52:41.0), Anna Burmistrova of Russia was second (54:29.1), and Yulia Batenkova of Ukraine was third (55:20.0).</p>
<p>“It feels good to be done,” Underkofler said. “I had a lot of races, and overall, I feel pretty good about my results. There were some races that were more stressful than the others, but I gave it my best and I had fun. It has been a really fun experience.”</p>
<p>Jon Kreamelmeyer (Frisco, Colo.), head coach for the Nordic squad, was happy with the results for the final day of competition.</p>
<p>“You know, this has been a great week for our team. Cook really came through against some tough competition. The race today was a really hard-fought battle, and the two Russians just seemed to be clicking on all cylinders. I am happy with the way everyone skied and I think we have a lot to be proud of.”</p>
<p>All events for the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games are now complete. The Closing Ceremony will take place tonight in Torino. </p>
<p>Results/Schedule of Events for U.S. Nordic Ski Team</p>
<p>March 11</p>
<p>Biathlon</p>
<p>Women’s 12.5K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 4th place)</p>
<p>Women’s 10K Sitting (Monica Bascio, 6th place)</p>
<p>March 12</p>
<p>Cross-Country</p>
<p>Men’s 5K Standing (Steve Cook, 1st place/Gold Medal; Dan Perkins, 26th place; Mike Crenshaw, 28th place) </p>
<p>Men’s 5K Sitting (Bob Balk, 11th place; Chris Klebl, 23rd place; Greg Mallory, 24th place)</p>
<p>Women’s 5K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 8th place)</p>
<p>Women’s 2.5K Sitting (Candace Cable, 8th place; Monica Bascio, 9th place)</p>
<p>March 14</p>
<p>Biathlon</p>
<p>Men’s 7.5K (Dan Perkins, 20th place)</p>
<p>Women’s 7.5K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 7th place)</p>
<p>Women’s 7.5K Sitting (Monica Bascio, 6th place)</p>
<p>March 15</p>
<p>Cross-Country</p>
<p>Men’s 10K Standing (Steve Cook 1st place/Gold Medal; Mike Crenshaw, 7th place; Dan Perkins, 16th place)</p>
<p>Men’s 10K Sitting (Chris Klebl, 18th place; Bob Balk, 20th place; Greg Mallory, 22nd place)</p>
<p>Women’s 10K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 11th place)</p>
<p>Women’s 5K Sitting (Monica Bascio, 7th place; Candace Cable, 10th place)</p>
<p>March 17</p>
<p>Cross-Country</p>
<p>Women’s Relay (3 x 2.5K: Monica Bascio, Candace Cable, Kelly Underkofler, 7th place)</p>
<p>Men’s Relay (1 x 3.75K + 2 x 5K: Chris Klebl, Mike Crenshaw, Steve Cook, 6th place)</p>
<p>March 18</p>
<p>Cross-Country</p>
<p>Men’s 15K Sitting (Chris Klebl, 11th place; Bob Balk, 15th place; Greg Mallory, 23rd place)</p>
<p>Women’s 10K Sitting (Monica Bascio, 5th place; Candace Cable, 8th place)</p>
<p>March 19</p>
<p>Cross-Country</p>
<p>Men’s 20K Standing (Steve Cook, 3rd place/Bronze; Mike Crenshaw, 16th place; Dan Perkins, 19th place)</p>
<p>Women’s 15K Standing (Kelly Underkofler, 10th place)</p>
<p>For more information or to coordinate an interview with one of the Nordic Ski Team athletes, please contact Diana Wright at <a href=mailto:diana.wright@usoc.org)
diana.wright@usoc.org or, if dialing from the U.S., +011 39 348-453-7712.
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