The North American cross country scene offers numerous race opportunities throughout the winter season, but it’s the SuperTour that involves the very most competitive skiers from the United States and Canada. On December 12-17, Anchorage’s Kincaid Park plays host to the Anchorage WinterStart SuperTour, the first SuperTour event of the 2023-2024 season (presented with the support of Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage and Cross Country Alaska).
Men’s and Women’s Sprint
Tuesday saw SuperTour action in both the Men’s and Women’s Sprints. American, Sammy Smith, topped the women’s results ahead of Lilian Gagnon and Anna Marie Dietze, while Canada’s Julien Locke led the men’s field ahead of Walker Hall and Michael Earnhart.
In post-race interview with FasterSkier’s Nat Herz, Locke articulated the importance of doing well at these North American SuperTour races. “SuperTours [are] the top level of domestic racing,” he said. “So everyone who’s not at the World Cup is here right now . . . For the United States and Canada, these are selection races for the World Cup later in the year.”
Sprint Qualifying RESULTS
Sprint RESULTS
Men’s and Women’s 10 k Classic Interval Start
In Wednesday’s 10 k Classic Interval Start, the men’s field was led by Maximillian Holman, ahead of Hugo Hinckfus and Hunter Wonders. Smith continued her winning ways at the head of the women’s field ahead of Sydney Palmer-Leger and Nina Schamberger.
Winner of the first two women’s events (Freestyle Sprint and 10 k Classic), Smith commented on the heavy/fresh snow conditions in Anchorage. “The snow definitely made the conditions a little interesting,” she said. “It definitely made technique stuff a little more complicated; but it was super-fun racing, super competitive day.”
10 k Classic Interval Start RESULTS
Schedule of Events
Anchorage WinterStart SuperTour events continue on Saturday with Men’s and Women’s Classic Sprints, followed by Sunday’s 10 k Freestyle Mass Start.
