Team Wraps Training and Mini-Tour in Park City
On Friday, the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team wrapped their second camp this fall in Park City to prep for the upcoming season. The athletes looked strong for the quickly approaching season, which was indicated in a three-day rollerski mini-tour at Soldier Hollow to wrap the camp.
"We've had an excellent preparation period," said Head Coach Chris Grover. "The Team is quite strong right now. We have a few athletes with minor acute injuries, but they are getting excellent treatment and support and I expect all skiers to be healthy and race-ready by early winter. I also feel we've done a much better job this season of monitoring fatigue and recovery, and I feel confident that it will translate into some big results this season."
Andy Newell and Ben Saxton train at Soldier Hollow during the October camp. (USSA-Tom Kelly)
The rollerski mini-tour was a productive way to finish off the camp. It consisted of a freestyle sprint on Sunday, followed by a classic mass start on Monday and a long freestyle pursuit on Tuesday. Caitlin Gregg (Minneapolis, MN) took the overall win for the women, while Sun Valley's Miles Havlick won for the men. Even the nordic combined guys—Bryan Fletcher, Taylor Fletcher, Adam Loomis and Michael Ward—joined the cross country team and participated in the second and third stages.
Next up, the athletes will see how their summer training holds up on the big stage, as they head to Finland for the first World Cups of the season over Thanksgiving weekend.
Jessie Diggins works out with her team at Soldier Hollow. (USSA-Tom Kelly)
RESULTS
Stage 1 – Freestyle sprint
Men
1. Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT)
2. Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO)
3. Miles Havlick
Women
1. Sophie Caldwell (Peru, VT)
2. Caitlin Gregg
3. Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT)
Stage 2 – 15k classic mass start
Men
1. Miles Havlick
2. Simi Hamilton
3. Andy Newell
Women
1. Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN)
2. Ida Sargent
3. Sophie Caldwell
Stage 3 – 9/14k freestyle pursuit
Men
1. Miles Havlick
2. Simi Hamilton
3. Brian Gregg (Winthrop, WA)
Women
1. Caitlin Gregg
2. Sophie Caldwell
3. Jessie Diggins