Ogden, Lustgarten Extend SuperTour Leads

Katherine Ogden (Dartmouth) and Benjamin Lustgarten (Craftsbury Green Racing) extended their overall SuperTour leads following round 2 of the series in Sun Valley, Idaho, last weekend.

Katherine took her second SuperTour win of the season in the classic sprint at Sun Valley. She also finished second to recently retired World Cup athlete Riitta-Lisa Roponen of Finland in the 10k freestyle. Katherine holds a 50-point lead over Guru Jordheim (University of Utah) in second, and a 55-point lead over Kaitlynn Miller (Craftsbury Green Racing) in third. Katherine also leads the U23 overall standings.

Sydney Palmer-Leger (SVSEF) grabbed her third podium result of the season, finishing second in the classic sprint, and third in the 10k freestyle. She is currently fourth in the overall SuperTour standings, and second in the U23 standings.

“That is very encouraging going into Youth Olympic Games in January,” noted U.S. Ski & Snowboard Cross Country Program Manager Bryan Fish, “and her results bode well for strong Junior Worlds potential.”

On the men’s side, Ian Torchia (SMS) had an impressive performance in Sunday’s 15k freestyle in Sun Valley, taking a 28-second victory over Bernhard Flaschberger (University of Denver) in second, and Johnny Hagenbuch (SVSEF) in third. Ian current sits second overall, 11 points behind Benjamin, who finished seventh in Saturday’s classic sprint and sixth in the 15k freestyle. 

Tyler Kornfield (APU) won Saturday’s classic sprint, followed by Luke Jager (University of Utah) in second and Peter Holmes (SVSEF) in third.

Hats off to both Canmore, Alberta, and Sun Valley for hosting well organized and challenging courses for athletes to prepare for international competition.  The partnership with Nordic Canada was very successful, hosting the combined Canadian NorAm and U.S. SuperTour in Canmore, which included 628 racers, for the first event of the season. The most racers ever at this 1988 Olympic venue. 

The SuperTour Series continues Jan. 2-7 in Houghton, Mich. with men and women’s freestyle sprint, men and women’s classic sprint, and men and women’s classic and freestyle distance events. All events will be available for live streaming thanks to CXC Skiing and U.S. Ski & Snowboard. 

RESULTS
Men and women’s classic sprint
Women’s 10k freestyle
Men’s 15k freestyle

STANDINGS
SuperTour