In a promising start for the American team here, the U.S. qualified two women for the heats in the World Junior Championships freestyle sprint.
Jessie Diggins and Sophie Caldwell placed 18th and 19th, respectively, both about eight seconds back of the winner, Kari Oeyre Slind of Norway.
“The hills are tough,” Caldwell said, “my legs haven’t hurt this bad for a while.”
With the snow that fell overnight tapering off, Caldwell said that the course was still skiing surprisingly fast.
Matt Whitcomb, the head coach of the American junior team, said that Diggins and Caldwell could easily move up in the round, as they were only about five seconds from fifth place.
“That’s a margin that could be swallowed up in the heats, no problem,” he said.
Canada’s Heidi Widmer also qualified, with Rebecca Reid just three spots out in 33rd.
Men’s results were not yet available.
