Beckie Scott Wins Prelim, Three XC Skiers Advance to Sprint Quarterfinals
US cross Country skier Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, Vt.) qualified second in the qualification round of the men's cross country sprint race from Pragelato to advance to the quarterfinals later today. Newell finished in a time of 2:14.79, finishing just behind the qualification winner Bjoern Lind of Sweden. Joining Newell in that quarterfinal will be Chris Cook (Rhinelander, Wis.) who finished 16th in a time of 2:18.46. The top-30 finishers in the qualification round advanced to the quarterfinals.
Other U.S. men's finishers include Torin Koos (Leavenworth, Wash.) in 37th, and Lars Flora (Anchorage, Alaska) in 46th place.
On the women's side, Kikkan Randall ( Anchorage, Alaska) advanced to the quarterfinals in 10th position with a time of 2:15.63. The leader in the qualification round was Beckie Scott of Canada, who finished with a time of 2:12.45. In second position was Italy's Arianna Follis, while Lina Andersson of Sweden was third.
For Canada, Chandra Crawford also qualified 8th, and Sara Renner 9th. Amanda Ammar finished 49th.
Other U.S. women's finishers not advancing include Wendy Wagner (Park City, Utah) 35th, and Lindsay Williams (Hastings, Minn.) 38th.
The top two finishers in each of the five heats of the quarterfinal round advance to the semifinal round to be held later today.
Women's Prelim Result: http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/IDF/CC/C73D1_CCW601901.html
Men's Prelim Results: http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/IDF/CC/C73D1_CCM601901.html
