STRYN, Norway (Feb. 3) – Overnight rains softened the track Tuesday for the opening day of racing at the nordic World Junior Championships as Russians won both the men's 30K and women's 15K classical technique mass starts. Top U.S. result came from Lindsey Weier (Mahtomedi, MN; Northern Michigan U./U.S. Development Team), who was 19th in the women's race.
Anatoly Neuchesov of Russia won the men's race in 1:24.32.7 by 11.6 seconds over Swiss Curdin Perl. Top American was Mike Sinnott (Sun Valley, ID; Dartmouth College), who finished 58th. Temperatures were in the mid-30s with the rain continuing through both races.
Earlier, in the women's race, Irina Artemova led from start to finish to win in 46:12.6 with Germany's Antje Dittrich second (46:23.4). Weier's time was 48:56.6.
The next cross country races at World Juniors are Thursday – men's 10K freestyle and women's 5K. They'll run freestyle sprints Saturday and conclude the championships Sunday with relays.
FIS WORLD NORDIC JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Stryn, NOR – Feb. 3
Mass-start, classic technique races
Men's 30K CL
1. Anatoly Neuchesov, Russia, 1:24.32.7
2. Curdin Perl, Switzerland, 1:24.44.3
3. Franz Goering, Germany, 1:25.54.5
4. Alexey Poltaranin, Kazakhstan, 1:26.16.0
5. Steve Ullmann, Germany, 1:26.23.1
 –
58. Mike Sinnott, Sun Valley, Idaho, Dartmouth College, 1:37.16.5
59. Casey Simons, Park City, Utah, University of Utah, 1:38.10.1
61. Bret Bedard, Cheshire, Mass., Stratton Mountain School, 1:39.40.0
68. Tim Damrow, St. Paul, Minn., Saukko Ski Club/University of Colorado, 1:43.58.5
 —
Women's 15K CL
1. Irina Artemova, Russia, 46:12.6
2. Antje Dittrich, Germany, 46:23.4
3. Marion Ruf, Germany, 46:28.3
4. Lenka Munclingerova, Czech Republic, 46:36.7
5. Betty-Ann Nilsen, Norway, 46:43.6
 –
19. Lindsey Weier, Mahtomedi, Minn., Northern Michigan U./U.S. Development Team
29. Lindsay Williams, Hastings, Minn., Northern Michigan, 49:44.5
37. Morgan Smyth, Vernon, Vt., Northern Michigan, 50:19.4
38. Alison Crocker, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Dartmouth College, 50:21.2
For complete results, go to: <www.jvm-stryn.no
Source: US Ski Team
