January 28, 2010 (Park City, UT) – A final skier has been added to the 2010 Olympic Cross Country Ski Team. Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO), a former All American from Middlebury College, was announced Thursday after the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association received an 11th and final quota spot. Two athletes were named Tuesday in addition to the original eight announced last week.

Hamilton, who is now training with coaches Travis Jones and Rick Kapala in the Sun Valley Olympic Development Program, is one of the fastest U.S. sprinters. He won four qualifiers in the USSA SuperTour, Canadian NorAm and U.S. Championship events, and took U.S. title in the freestyle sprint. Earlier this week, he led sprint qualifying by over a second in the Under 23 World Championships in Germany.

“Simi has definitely raised some eyebrows this season with his pure speed in the sprint events,” said Cross Country Head Coach Pete Vordenberg. “He is a talented young athlete who will be a great addition to the Olympic Team.”

Athletes are presently training around the country, preparing for a pre-Olympic camp and World Cup on the 1988 Olympic trails in Canmore, AB Feb. 1-8. The team will arrive in Vancouver on Feb. 9 to prepare for a schedule that includes 12 medal events.

The Team is subject to final review by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

2010 U.S. OLYMPIC CROSS COUNTRY SKI TEAM
(name, hometown, age as of opening ceremonies, birthdate, (past Olympics))

– Morgan Arritola, Ketchum, ID, 23, 5/13/86
– Holly Brooks, Anchorage, 27, 4/17/82
– Caitlin Compton, Minneapolis, 29, 11/7/80
– Kris Freeman, Andover, NH, 29, 10/14/80 (2002, 2006)
– Simi Hamilton, Aspen, CO, 22, 5/14/87
– Torin Koos, Leavenworth, 29, 7/19/80 (2002, 2006)
– Garrott Kuzzy, Minneaplis, 27, 11/26/82
– Andy Newell, Shaftsbury, VT, 25, 11/30/84 (2006)
– Kikkan Randall, Anchorage, 27, 12/31/82 (2002, 2006)
– James Southam, Anchorage, 31, 6/5/78 (2006)
– Liz Stephen, Montpelier, VT, 22, 1/12/87