Cross-country skiers from 23 countries are filling the Nordic trails and restaurants of McCall this week during the 2008 Masters World Cup presented by the World Masters Cross Country Ski Association and Blackhawk. There are 1,223 skiers.
Biggest congregation is 660 from the United States followed by 152 from Canada, 122 from Russia, 58 from Germany and 45 from Norway. And many Wood River Valley skiers have been placing high in three of six races already staged last weekend.
One highlight came in Sunday's Men's 50-54 30-kilometer freestyle technique race when Germany's Erwin Haas won in a photo finish over silver medalist Jon Engen of Ketchum, both clocking 1.19:38.
Sun Valley's Gabriele Andersen won the gold medal Saturday in the Women's 60-64 15k classic race. Two more local gold medalists were Norm Clark of Great Britain and Ketchum in the Sunday's Men's 75-79 10k skate race and Rebecca Rusch in the Women's 35-39 15k skate.
Earning silver medals were Muffy Ritz twice in the Women's 50-54 15k freestyle race and, one day later, in the 10k classic event; and Joanne Davis in Women's 70-74 10k skate. Karoline Droege (Women's 35-39 15k skate) and Del Pletcher (Men's 60-64 15k skate) captured bronze medals in their classes at worlds.
Wrapping up the week will be relay races today, Wednesday followed by classical distance racing Thursday, March 6 and freestyle distance events Friday.
March 1, classic technique
Men's 50-54, 30k: 25—Rick Knoebel 1.42:30 (15:55 back). 41—Chris Puchner 1.53:08 (50 finishers).
Men's 55-59, 30k: 40—Mike Dunham 1.52:10 (25:56 back) (71 finishers).
Men's 60-64, 15k: 9—Bob Rosso 48:05 (2:45 back). 40—Owen Hanley 57:49 (12:21) (60 finishers).
Men's 80-84, 10k: 5—Charley French 1.16:45 (24:06 back) (5 finishers).
Men's 85-and-up, 10k: 4—Phil Puchner 1.34:38 (43:57 back) (5 finishers).
Women's 50-54, 15k: 18—Lindy Cogan 1.07:36 (17:42 back) (20 finishers).
Women's 55-59, 15k: 7—Linda McClatchy 1.01:59 (5:46 back) (21 finishers).
Women's 60-64, 15k: 1—Gabriele Andersen 49:44, a winner by 5:55 (19 finishers).
March 2, freestyle technique
Men's 35-39, 30k: 12—Whit Albright 1.22:46 (8:49 back) (28 finishers).
Men's 45-49, 30k: 7—Bill Nurge 1.16:47 (1:14 back). 18—Jim Santa 1.22:45 (7:12) (47 finishers).
Men's 50-54, 30k: 1—Erwin Haas, Germany 1.19:38.7. 2—Jon Engen 1.19:38.8 (0.01 back). 26—Brian Elkins 1.26:25 (6:46). 38—Jon Holmquist 1.32:04 (12:25) (80 finishers).
Men's 55-59, 30k: 18—Jim McClatchy 1.30:14 (9:08 back). 21—Pat Simpson 1.31:48 (10:42). 30—Mike Hipsher 1.35:07 (14:01) (58 finishers).
Men's 60-64, 15k: 3—Del Pletcher 41:13 (0:27 back). 42—John Gladics 51:51 (10:40 back) (52 finishers).
Men's 65-69, 15k: 6—Andy Andrews 45:18 (4:27 back). 14—Tullio Celano 48:28 (7:37). 25—Peter Maier 54:49 (13:58) (33 finishers).
Men's 70-74, 15k: 11—Nello Busdon 52:40 (4:31 back) (22 finishers).
Men's 75-79, 10k: 1—Norm Clark of Great Britain and Ketchum 37:52.
Women's 35-39, 15k: 1—Rebecca Rusch 44:58. 3—Karoline Droege 45:11 (0:13 back). 17—Veronique Forgeat 58:53 (13:54) (19 finishers).
Women's 45-49, 15k: 8—Kelly
Allison 45:03 (4:02 back) (28 finishers).
Women's 50-54, 15k: 2—Muffy Ritz 43:24 (0:18 back). 16—Brenda Spackman 51:54 (8:48). 17—Katherine Sheldon 52:09 (9:03) (37 finishers).
Women's 55-59, 15k: 11—Marilyn Celano 55:03 (8:07 back).
Women's 65-69, 15k: 8—Jenny Busdon 1.00:44 (7:14 back).
Women's 70-74, 10k: 2—Joanne Davis 45:40 (0:41 back).
March 3, classic technique
Men's 35-39, 10k: 9—Patrick Harper 30:10 (3:30 back) (12 finishers).
Men's 50-54, 10k: 30—Scott Danielson 33:46 (6:05 back) (55 finishers).
Men's 55-59, 10k: 38—Mike Dunham 35:34 (6:58 back) (70 finishers).
Men's 60-64, 10k: 32—Bob Disbrow 36:43 (5:44 back). 39—Owen Hanley 38:29 (7:30) (52 finishers).
Men's 65-69, 10k: 26—Peter Maier 46:02 (14:56 back) (30 finishers).
Women's 50-54, 10k: 2—Muffy Ritz 33:42 (0:45 back) (23 finishers).
Women's 55-59, 10k: 4—Linda McClatchy 39:08 (3:35 back) (21 finishers).
