Nordic

Bjornsen and Hamilton Eighth in Freestyle Sprints

by
USSA
2016-03-04 18:34
 

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (March 4, 2016) – Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) and Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO) led the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team in a FIS World Cup 1.5/1.7k freestyle sprint - the third event of the Ski Tour Canada - both finishing eighth on Friday.

“Today was an incredibly fun day and a great day for my skate skiing confidence as I discovered a new belief,” Bjornsen said. “I felt really good out there with what felt like a home crowd, so that was the frosting on top.”

In the women’s final, Sweden’s Stina Nilsson edged Norway’s Maiken Falla, World Cup sprint leader, to steal first by a toe, while Norway’s Heidi Weng followed in third. Despite Falla’s defeat on Friday, she still claimed the overall sprint World Cup victory title as well as the coveted Crystal Globe. In the men’s final, it was a battle to the finish as France’s Baptise Gros sprinted from behind to snatch his first World Cup victory from Canada’s Alex Harvey and Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov who finished third. Ustiugov led the heat until the final stretch where Gros and Harvey had the final fight in the end.

Bjornsen started out the day on top, where she grabbed the fastest qualifying time just 0.08 seconds ahead of Norway’s Astird Jacobsen. She continued the momentum into the quarterfinals winning her heat and advancing her to the semifinals. Bjornsen made tactical moves throughout the semis until she was tripped up on the final hill, causing her to lose momentum to the finish. Bjornsen had to settle for fourth and was unable to advance to the finals as lucky loser.

“I had a great quarterfinal and was lining up for a good semi, but unfortunately tangled with the Swedish girl in a pertinent place,” said Bjornsen. “Although I was disappointed, because I had a lot to give today … That’s okay, it’s a tour and you have to celebrate your good moments, not get too disappointed with the bad moments and get ready to rally for the next.”

Hamilton
Simi Hamilton was the top U.S. finisher in Friday’s 1.7k freestyle sprint. (Reese Brown)

Hamilton showed his strengths in sprinting once again, qualifying 13th overall and winning his quarterfinal heat by a toe after a photo finish between Finland’s Martii Jylhae and Norway’s Petter Northug. In the semifinals Hamilton got caught in the back, finishing fourth overall and unable to advance as the lucky loser to the finals.

“Today didn't go as well as the other day, but I'm still happy,” Hamilton said. “It was a difficult course for me and I felt a little fatigued going into the day. But felt better as the racing went on. It was a cool course and having a huge contingent of my family up here cheering was super awesome.”

Competition continues Saturday with a 15/10k freestyle pursuit, which will be streamed live at 3:00 p.m. EST on NBC Sports Live Extra.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • This was France’s Baptise Gros first ever World Cup victory.
  • Norway’s Maiken Fall and Italy’s Federico Pellegrino locked up their first ever overall World Cup sprint crystal globe.
  • Norway’s Heidi Weng now leads the Ski Tour Canada by 11.8 seconds over teammate Therese Johaug.
  • Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov extended his lead in the Tour by 16.7 seconds over Norway’s Petter Northug.
  • Four U.S. women were in the top 20 in the sprints with Sadie Bjornsen eighth, Sophie Caldwell (Peru, VT) 10th, Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) 13th, and Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT) 20th.
  • The U.S qualified three men in the sprints. Simi Hamilton was eighth overall, followed by Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) 20th and Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT) 29th.

 

STREAMING SCHEDULE (times EST)

Saturday, March 5
3:00 p.m. - Women’s 10k freestyle pursuit - Quebec City - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
4:00 p.m. - Men’s 15k freestyle pursuit - Quebec City - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

Tuesday, March 8
3:00 p.m. - Men’s and women’s classic sprint, Canmore - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

Wednesday, March 9
12:00 p.m. - Women’s 15k skiathlon, Canmore - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
2:30 p.m. - Men’s 30k skiathlon, Canmore - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

Friday, March 11
11:45 a.m. - Women’s 10k freestyle interval start, Canmore - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
3:00 p.m. - Men’s 15k freestyle interval start, Canmore - LIVE - NB Sports Live Extra

Saturday, March 12
3:00 p.m. - Women’s 10k classic pursuit, Canmore - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
4:00 p.m. - Men’s 15k classic pursuit, Canmore - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

Quotes

Sadie Bjornsen
Today was an incredibly fun day! I felt really good out there with what felt like a home crowd, so that was the frosting on top. I had a great quarterfinal and was lining up for a good semi, but unfortunately tangled with the Swedish girl in a pertinent place. Although I was disappointed, because I had a lot to give today … That’s okay, it’s a tour and you have to celebrate your good moments, not get too disappointed with the bad moments and get ready to rally for the next! Certainly today was a day for my skate skiing confidence though and I discovered a new belief.

Simi Hamilton
Today didn't go as well as the other day, but I'm still happy. It was a difficult course for me and I felt a little fatigued going into the day. But felt better as the racing went on. I hung back in the quarterfinal and conserved energy for the second half (like I did in Gatineau), and it played out well with a quarterfinal win.

Unfortunately the same tactics in my semi didn't play out as well and I was caught in too much traffic on the two steep climbs where I felt the best and wanted to make my move. But it was a cool course and having a huge contingent of my family up here cheering was/is super awesome. Our skis were great today and I'm looking forward to another skate race in the sunshine and on good snow here in Quebec City.

RESULTS
Men’s 1.5k Freestyle
Women’s 1.5k Freestyle

OVERAL TOUR STANDINGS (after three races)
Men’s Standings
Women’s Standings
 

 


 


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