Nordic: Update from Otepaa, Estonia, Jan. 29

NORDIC COMBINED

Hendrickson Fronts U.S.
in Junior Worlds

OTEPAA,
Estonia (Jan. 29) – The USA’s Nick Hendrickson (Park City, UT) finished 19th
Saturday to lead the U.S. charge in the FIS Junior World Championships Nordic combined
normal hill competition in Otepaa. Marjan Jelenko swapped places today with
Thursday’s winner Johannes Rydzek (GER) taking the win and pushing Rydzek into
second. Hometown hero Kaarel Nurmsalu (EST) took third.

Hendrickson sat in 31st after an 84 meter jump heading into the cross
country portion of the competition. Knowing he had to put his head down and
dig, Hendrickson charged out of the start picking off racer after racer. He
posted the third fastest cross country time (12:16.3) to move up 12 places
finishing 19th.

Jelenko had the second best jump behind Estonia’s Kaarel Nurmsalu’s jump
of 121 meters. However, Nurmsalu could not hold the cross country pace, posting
the 37th fastest time and enough room for Jelenko and Germany’s Johannes Rydzek
to take first and second. Nurmsalu held on to finish third.

The FIS Junior World Championships continues Sunday with the nordic
combined team event.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Junior World Nordic Championships
Otepaa, Estonia – Jan. 29, 2011
Nordic Combined – Normal Hill

Gold: Marjan Jelenko, Slovenia, 12:44.5
Silver: Johannes Rydzek, Germany, 13:04.9
Bronze: Kaarel Nurmsalu, Estonia, 13:20.6
–
19. Nick Hendrickson, Park City, UT (U.S. Ski Team/Park City Nordic Ski
Club), 14:44.3
40. Michael Ward, Aspen, CO (Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club),
16:04.4
42. Cliff Field, Steamboat Springs, CO (Steamboat Springs Winter Sports
Club), 16:08.3
55. Tyler Smith, Park City, UT (Park City Nordic Ski Club), 18:17.1

For complete results: www.fis-ski.com

CROSS
COUNTRY

Bjornsen leads U.S. in U23 World Championships

OTEPAA, Estonia (Jan. 29) – Alaska Pacific University’s Sadie Bjornsen
(Methow, WA) led four U.S. athletes into the finals in 17th in the FIS U23
World Championships classic sprint Saturday in Otepaa. Russia’s Alexander
Panzhinskiy and Finland’s Kartty Niskanen claimed gold for the men and women.

Bjornsen
was joined by three U23 Worlds teammates in the quarterfinals. Central Cross
Country Skiing’s Jennie Bender (Johnson, VT) and Dartmouth College’s Ida
Sargent (Orleans, VT) finished 21st and 23rd. All three Americans bowed out of
the race early not advancing to the semifinals.

Niskanen topped the women’s podium with Norway’s Britt Ingrun Nydal and
Sweden’s Jennie Orberg scoring silver and bronze.

In the men’s race, Fairbanks Alaska Ski Team’s Reese Hanneman
(Fairbanks, AK) was the sole U.S. male representative. He also advanced to the
quarterfinals finishing 24th. Panzhinskiy earned the top spot on the podium
with Team Norway at his side. Timo Andre Bakken and Magnus Moholt won silver
and bronze.

The FIS U23 World Championships continues Monday with the men’s and
women’s 30/15k pursuit.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS U23 World Nordic Championships
Otepaa, Estonia – Jan. 29, 2011
Cross Country – Classic Sprint

Men 1.4k
Gold: Alexander Panzhinskiy, Russia
Silver: Timo Andre Bakken, Norway
Bronze: Magnus Moholt, Norway
–
24. Reese Hanneman, Fairbanks, AK (Fairbanks Alaska Ski Team)

Women 1.2k
Gold: Karttu Niskanen, Finland
Silver: Britt Ingunn Nydal, Norway
Bronze: Jennie Orberg, Sweden
–
17. Sadie Bjornsen, Methow, WA (Alaska Pacific University)
21. Jennie Bender, Johnson, VT (Central Cross Country Skiing)
23. Ida Sargent, Orleans, VT (Dartmouth College)
– Did not qualify for finals
36. Rebecca Rorabaugh, Hanover, NH (Alaska Pacific University)

For complete results: www.fis-ski.com
# #

SKI JUMPING- Junior Worlds Team Event Canceled 

OTEPAA,
Estonia (Jan. 29) – Due to snowfall and high winds the FIS Junior World Nordic
Ski Championships women’s ski jumping team event was canceled Saturday in
Otepaa. The event, which was making its Junior World Championship debut, will
not be rescheduled during this Championship series.

The FIS Junior World Championships will continue Sunday with the men’s
team event.