December 9, 2006 (Sun Valley, ID) – Altitude was not a factor for Canada’s Amanda Ammar, who skied a smart race to take the gold in the U.S. Super Tour Sprint in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Conserving energy was the strategy of the day, according to the advice Ammar received from teammate and Olympic silver medalist Sara Renner. She did just that, waiting for the right moment to punch up the effort and take the lead.

“I haven’t done a five-kilometre classic in a long time so I was really excited for today’s race,” said Ammar. “Because we were so high up, I focused on skiing smooth and saving my energy for the uphill section.”

American Caitlin Compton managed to hold off Tasha Betcherman of Canmore, Alta. by just two seconds, giving them the silver and bronze medals. Other Canadians in the top 15 included: Madeleine Williams who narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth place (15:03.7); Edmonton’s Tara Whitten was eighth in 15:25.9; and Perianne Jones of Ottawa, Ont. stopped the clock in 15:39.4, which was good enough for 13th place.

The men followed suit, dominating the top 10 with seven spots going to Canadians. Drew Goldsack of Red Deer, Alta. led his teammates to the finish line, just 17 seconds back of the winner, Kris Freeman of the U.S.

“I was really pleased with my result today,” said Goldsack. “Kris Freeman has been in the top 30 on the World Cup circuit, so to be that close to him is definitely an encouraging result.”

Goldsack and several of his teammates will not be participating in tomorrow’s race, choosing instead to train and rest.

“It was a tough decision not to race, especially because I am feeling so great after my result,” explained Goldsack. “We are heading to Europe in a few weeks for the second half (of the season) and I can’t afford to wear myself out at this high altitude.”

The Super Tour continues in Sun Valley, Sunday with a 15-kilometre classic competition for the women and a 30-kilometre classic race for the men.

Men’s Results (brief)

1. Kris Freeman, USA, 25:01.7
2. Drew Goldsack, Red Deer, Alta. 25:18.9
3. Dan Roycroft, Port Sydney, Ont. 25:41.6
4. Sean Crooks, Thunder Bay, Ont. 25:47.9
5. Lars Flora, USA, 25:50.7

6. Graham Nishikawa, Whitehorse, YK. 25:51.4;
8. Dave Nighbor, North Bay, Ont. 26:16.8;
9. Chris Jeffries, Gatineau, QC. 26:17.3
10. Stefan Kuhn, Canmore, Alta. 26:20.6

Women’s Results (brief)

1. Amanda Ammar, Onoway, Alta. 14:45.7
2. Caitlin Compton, USA, 14:54.4
3. Tasha Betcherman, Canmore, Alta. 14:56.1
4. Madeleine Williams, Edmonton, Alta. 15:03.7
5.Tazlina Mannix, USA, 15:12.0

8. Tara Whitten, Edmonton, Alta. 15:25.9
13. Perianne Jones, Ottawa, Ont. 15:39.4

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