Friday — March 5, 2004

On top of the world

Sun Valley skiers nab medals in Norway

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Bob and Carol and Tim and Allison are making their mark in the land of Lars and Olga, Bjorn and Brigitte.

Lovely Lillehammer, Norway is the site of the 2004 Masters World Cup nordic championships. The weeklong competition opened Sunday with classic races held in pristine nordic conditions, cold and clear with perfect tracks.

Site of the 1994 Winter Olympics, the Lillehammer venue has attracted a record group of Americans (196 registered) which makes up the second largest national contingent, just behind host Norway.

Sun Valley racers have done their part to boost the U.S. numbers, with 28 racers competing. They are making their mark, too.

Noted masters racers, Jon Engen and Allison Kiesel Bradley have been leading the bandwagon. Both have won races in their age classes.

Engen, a native of Norway and three-time Olympian, won the mens’ 45-49 year old age class in the 30k skate in 1:19.15, outsprinting runner-up Jaromir Simunek of Czecholslyvakia by one second. Engen went on to capture the bronze medal in the 10k skate, just four seconds off the winning pace.

Bradley has been a dominating presence in the women’s 50-54 year old age class with a first in the 10k skate and second in the 15k classic.

Lili Simpson, an instructor at the Sun Valley Nordic Center, remarked, "(It is a) great accomplishment, as the Russians and Scandos always dominate the classic races."

Muffy Ritz, a longtime Ketchum local, has been a force in the women’s 45-49 division with a third and fifth place showing.

Several other local racers have posted top ten finishes, including Katharine Sheldon, Linda McClatchy, Carol Rank, Liza Wilson, Susan Thoreson, Darlene Young, Phil Puchner and Del Pletcher.

Also competing are Bob Rosso, Mike Wolter, Tim Inch, Rick Knoebel, Jean Kearney, Carol Mutzel, Genie Swyers, Kris Thoreson, Brian Elkins, Jim McClatchy, Jon Holmquist, Chris Puchner, John Kearney, Andy Andrews, Phil Usher, John Swyers and Norm Clark.

Wolter recorded a pair of top 20 finishes before slipping in a parking lot and breaking his fibula just above the ankle.

The weeklong series culminates with classic races on Friday and freestyle on Saturday.

 

Sunday, Feb. 29

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Classic Technique

Women – 15k
50-54: 2—Allison Bradley, 53.06.

Men – 30k
35-39: 19—Mike Wolter, 1:33.23.
40-44: 34—Tim Inch, 1:59.34.
55-59: 22-Bob Rosso, 1:40.38.

 

Monday, March 1

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Freestyle Technique

Women – 15k
40-44: 10—Darlene Young. 12—Susan Thoreson.
45-49: 3—Muffy Ritz. 8—Katharine Sheldon. 9—Carol Rank.
50-54: 8—Linda McClatchy. 10—Liza Wilson. 16—Jean Kearney.

Men – 30k
45-49: 1—Jon Engen. 17—Kris Thoreson. 21—Brian Elkins.
50-54: 24—Jim McClatchy. 30—Jon Holmquist. 43—Chris
Puchner.
55-59: 8—Del Pletcher. 46—John Kearney.
60-64 (15k): 20—Andy Andrews. 32—Phil Usher. 37—John Swyers.

 

 

Tuesday, March 2

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Freestyle Technique – 10k

Women
40-44: 13—Darlene Young.
45-49: 12—Katharine Sheldon. 13—Carol Rank. 18—Genie
Swyers.
50-54: 1—Allison Bradley. 13—Liza Wilson. 14—Linda McClatchy. 16—Carol Mutzel. 20—Jean Kearney.

Women – Classic
40-49: 10—Susan Thoreson.
45-49: 5—Muffy Ritz.

Men – Freestyle – 10k
35-39: 13—Mike Wolter.
40-44: 33-Tim Inch.
45-49: 3—Jon Engen. 25—Brian Elkins.
50-54: 31—Jim McClatchy. 35—Jon Holmquist.
55-59: 7—Del Pletcher. 11—Bob Rosso. 53—John Kearney.
60-64: 24—Andy Andrews. 37—Phil Usher.
70-74: 17—Norm Clark.

Men – Classic
45-49: 33—Kris Thoreson.
50-54: 50—Chris Puchner.

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