Wood River Valley cross-country skiers earned more gold medals and podium places in a very strong international field Thursday and Friday as the 2008 Masters World Cup ended in McCall. There were 1,223 skiers from 23 countries competing.
Charley French of Ketchum and Gabriele Andersen of Sun Valley earned age class gold medals in Thursday's classic races. Andersen was also on one of Wednesday's relay gold medal teams. Jon Engen and Del Pletcher picked up golds in Friday's freestyle technique races.
Wood River podium or top 10 age class placers in classic Thursday included Phil Puchner and Pat Harper. Podium or top 10 skaters Friday included Joanne Davis, Muffy Ritz, Matt Grover, Bill Nurge, Andy Andrews and Linda McClatchy.
In Wednesday's World Cup relays, silver medalist racers included Muffy Ritz and Del Pletcher at 15k and Charley French at 10k; and bronze medalists were Jon Engen at 30k and Andy Andrews at 15k.
Check today's Web site for more local results from Thursday and Friday's distance race finales:
March 6, classic technique
467 racers
Men's 35-39, 45k: 6—Pat Harper 2.19:37 (17:33 back).
Men's 55-59, 45k: 33—Mike Dunham 2.41:29 (30:40) (51 finishers).
Men's 60-64, 30k: 34—Owen Hanley 1.55:02 (25:37) (41 finishers).
Men's 80-84, 15k: 1—Charley French 1.06:46, a winner by 8:16 (5 finishers).
Men's 85-and-up, 15k: 4—Phil Puchner 2.24:51 (1.08:28 back) (4 finishers).
Women's 60-64, 30k: 1—Gabriele Andersen 1.37:26, a winner by 7:17 (14 finishers). Andersen also was the anchor skier on Wednesday's gold medal winning women's 60-99 15k relay team with Trina Hosmer, Elizabeth Schluter and June Lane.
March 7, freestyle technique
661 racers
Men's 35-39, 45k: 6—Matt Grover 1.46:25 (1:44.9 back). DNF—Whit Albright (25 finishers).
Men's 40-44, 45k: 38—Jeremy Fryberger 2.08:09 (23:44) (46 finishers).
Men's 45-49, 45k: 6—Bill Nurge 1.47:27 (1:25.7 back). 18—Jim Santa 1.56:06 (10:05) (46 finishers).
Men's 50-54, 45k: 1—Jon Engen 1.50:54.3, a winner by 0.3 seconds over Rick Reynolds (1:50.54.6). 20—Brian Elkins 2.02:17 (11:23). 30—Jon Holmquist 2.06:44 (15:50). 35—Scott Danielson 2.10:16 (19:22). 55—Chris Puchner 2.26:06 (35:12) (65 finishers).
Men's 55-59, 45k: 18—Jim McClatchy 2.04:54 (10:55). 40—Mike Hipsher 2.14:08 (20:09) (68 finishers).
Men's 60-64, 30k: 1—Del Pletcher 1.18:02.7, a winner by 0.3 seconds over Andre Grob of France (1:18:03.0). 47—John Gladics 1.37:43 (19:41) (56 finishers).
Men's 65-69, 30k: 5—Andy Andrews 1.21:09 (4:33). 27—Peter Maier 1.43:41 (27:05). 30—Sam East 1.48:38 (32:02) (32 finishers).
Men's 70-74, 30k: 11—Nello Busdon 1.38:52 (8:32) (24 finishers).
Women's 35-39, 30k: 7—Dayna Deuter 1.27:27 (8:06) (13 finishers).
Women's 50-54, 30k: 2—Muffy Ritz 1.19:25 (1:04). 17—Katherine Sheldon 1.32:59 (14:37). 33—Lindy Cogan 1.49:36 (31:14) (37 finishers).
Women's 55-59, 30k: 6—Linda McClatchy 1.33:44 (6:13) (23 finishers).
Women's 65-69, 30k: 10—Jenny Busdon 1.54:37 (14:50) (14 finishers).
Women's 70-74, 15k: 2—Joanne Davis 1.10:17 (9:21) (4 finishers).
