Emil Joensson of Sweden won the first World Cup race of his career, outsprinting last year’s World Junior Sprint Champion, Ivan Ivanov of Russia. Matias Strandvall (FIN) gained his first World Cup podium in the third spot.
Joensson Captures First World Cup Victory, Kuzzy 9th
FasterSkier · January 27, 2008
 in his first race since requiring shoulder surgery after a collision during training in early December, finished an impressive 5th. At the time of the accident, doctors told the German that he would miss the rest of the season. Apparently he has several screws and a plate holding the shoulder together.</p><p>American Garrott Kuzzy raced to a stunning 9th place finish in his first World Cup sprint. Kuzzy struggled in the pursuit, but came back with a strong race in the 15km freestyle, finishing 34th. But he saved the best for last, just making the heats with the 29th fastest qualifying time.</p><p><center><img decoding=)
Kuzzy did not look intimidated and stayed free of trouble in the tight 180-degree turn leading to the final 300 meters. “Once I reached the flat,†Kuzzy told FasterSkier, “I skied big, taking advantage of the strong tailwind.†The tall CXC racer made up significant ground on the finish stretch in each of his heats, and appeared to be headed for the A-final when the stadium announcer listed Kuzzy as a lucky loser yet again. But review of the photo finish relegated him to the B-Final and a matchup with teammate Koos.
Koos qualified in 11th after posting the 7th fastest time in the classic sprint qualification. That day came to a premature end with a broken pole. Things went better with the veteran sprinter advancing to the B-final where he led coming in to the last 200 meters. Still in position in the top 3 with 40 meters to go, Koos ran out of gas. “I just ran out of legs at the end,†said the Winthrop, WA native. Still it was a successful return to World Cup points for Koos
Andy Newell appeared headed for a big day when he finished the qualification with the 2nd fastest time. Racing in the same quarterfinal as Kuzzy, Newell was never able to break free. Kuzzy hung back on the 180 turn and had the far right finish lanes clear for the final sprint. Newell, on the other hand, skied the corner wider and was pushed to the outside. He entered the finish straight with nowhere to go — pinned to the left rail with a skier in front and another to his right. He finished the day in 17th.
, Bjorn Lind (SWE), Christian “Zoro†Zorzi (ITA), Ivan Ivanov (RUS), and Oystein “The Sausage†Pettersen (NOR) — some of the biggest names in World Cup sprinting. Widmer battled valiantly and though he was knocked out, he finished 13th overall.</p><p>Devon Kershaw rounded out the Canadian trio in the heats in 20th.</p></div><div class=)
Chris Cook (USA) missed qualifying by .16 seconds and finished 33rd.
The skate sprints featured the largest field of the week, with 72 athletes competing in the men’s race. The Norweigans, who dominated the classic sprint, qualified six, but struggled in the heats, with Tord Asle Gjerdalen posting the best finish in 16th.
Vordenberg commented on the week as a whole. “We didn't reach our goal, which was to have someone on the podium here in Canmore, and that's disappointing,” he said. “We have to improve the program so we can target an event and capitalize on it. We had everything going for us here. We had great skis, a good living situation, good health, a kind of 'home field advantage' – and we couldn't get that podium.
“We have the athletes to get it done, and the staff to get it done. Now, we just have to do it. We've got some serious work to accomplish, but I'm really revved about getting done what we need to do so when we get to Vancouver in 2010, we know we've done everything to make things happen.”
The Viessman FIS Cross Country World Cup schedule resumes Feb. 9-10 in Otepaeae, Estonia. The American World Cup team leaves immediately for Europe. Kuzzy, Leif Zimmermann (Bozeman, MT) and Laura Valaas (Wenatchee, WA) will join the U.S. Ski Team later in the season to get some more World Cup experience.
Men's 1.1K FR Sprints
(30 qualify; six make finals)
1. Emil Joensson, Sweden
2. Ivan Ivanov, Russia
3. Matias Strandvall, Finland
4. Nikolay Morilov, Russia
5. Josef Wenzl, Germany
6. Vassili Rotchev, Russia
–
9. Garrott Kuzzy, Hayward, WI
11. Torin Koos, Leavenworth, WA
12. Drew Goldsack, Red Deer, Alta
13. Phil Widmer, Banff, Alta
17. Andy Newell, Shaftsbury, VT
20. Devon Kershaw, Sudbury, Ont
33. Chris Cook, Rhinelander, WI
T39. Stefan Kuhn, Canmore, Alta
T39. Sean Crooks, Thunder Bay, Ont
46. Brent McMurtry, Calgary
52. Graham Nishikawa, Whitehorse, Yukon
54. Leif Zimmermann, Bozeman, MT
55. Colin Rodgers, Sun Valley, ID
57. Anders Haugen, Anchorage, AK
58. Lars Flora, Anchorage, AK
61. Ian Murray, South Harbour, N.S.
64. Mike Argue, Yellowknife, N.W.T.
65. Skeets Morel, Parry Sound, Ont
67. Marshall Greene, Bend, OR
69. Brian Gregg, Winthrop, WA
70. Jesse Winter, North Bay, Ont
