January 27, 2010 (Hinterzarten, Germany) – In first place following the jump, Junshiro Kobayashi of Japan sped through the 5km course this afternoon with a time of 12:55.4 to win the Junior Nordic combined World Championship Sprint title. Slovenia’s, Marjan Jelenko, who was 2nd after the jump, could not catch him to finish 2nd at 8.9 seconds back.

Third place went to Janis Morweiser, fifth after the jump, but with the 12th fastest cross-country ski time, he moved up to within 15.6 seconds of first. In an exciting finish, Germany was 4th and 5th, followed by Poland in 6th and 7th, all within 1.9 seconds of each other. Not until 8th place, did a Norwegian appear, Ole Christian Wendel, to put a foot across the line to beat 9th place Samuel Guy (FRA) in a photo finish.

Michael Ward (USA) of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club was the top North American, in 24th place. Nick Hendrickson (USA) of the Park City Nordic Ski Club moved from 41st after the jump, up to 28th place, with the 3rd fastest cross-country time of the day, 11:37.7, to finish 1:42.2 out of first.

Next was Taylor Fletcher (USA) of Steamboat, with the second fastest cross-country time of the day, 11:32.0, moving him from his 43rd place to 30th overall. Cliff Field (USA), another SSSWSC member, was 36th.

Barrett Martineau of the Altius Nordic Ski Club, led the young Canadian team, with his 46th place, followed by Sebastien Dandurand in 58th, and Chanon Pretorius in 59th.

Final Results here.

Results (brief)

1. Junshiro Kobayashi (JPN) 1st Jump, 12:55.4
2. Marjan Jelenko (SLO) 2nd Jump, +8.9
3. Janis Morweiser (GER) 5th Jump, +15.6
4. Johannes Rydzek (GER) 15th Jump, +34.7
5. Fabian Riessle (GER) 19th Jump,+34.8

24. Michael Ward (USA) 23rd Jump, +1:29.3
28. Nick Hendrickson (USA) 42st Jump, +1:42.3
30. Taylor Fletcher (USA) 43rd Jump, +1:44.6
36. Cliff Field (USA) 34th Jump, +2:20.6
46. Barret Martineau (CAN) 53rd Jump, +3:34.5
58. Sebastien Dandurand (CAN) 60th Jump, +5:29.8
59. Chanon Pretorius (CAN) 59th Jump, +5:50.4