January 26, 2010 (Hinterzarten, Germany) – The USA’s 2010 skate sprint national champ, Simi Hamilton, put on a dazzling show as the top qualifier in the U23 men’s 1km sprint but ended up in 26th as Norway’s Ole-Marius Bach won the title. Canada’s Len Valjas was the top North American in 9th after qualifying in 8th.

After some drizzle overnight, the race trails at the Notschrei Nordic Center were covered with a thin icy crust this morning, which made for some slick skiing and a fast qualification round – Hamilton’s top Q-time was 2:19.1. Canada’s Frederic Touchette placed 15th in the final after qualifying 26th, Peter Kling (USA) placed 20th (qualified 27th), and Julien Nury (Can) was 27th after qualifying 7th.

Ida Sargeant (USA) had a great day leading the North Americans in 4th just off the podium (also qualifying in 4th) as Finland’s Mari Laukkanen won the women’s 1km sprint championship. Sadie Bjornsen (USA) followed in 13th (Q-13th), Rosie Brennan (USA) was 15th, Rebecca Rorabaugh (USA) 18th, Kate Brennan (Can) was 21st and Emily Nishikawa (Can) was 27th. Canada’s Brittany Webster did not start.

The four US junior women all placed in the top-18 (possibly a first) and this bodes well for the upcoming relays.

Women’s qualifications here.
Men’s qualifications here.

Women’s final results here.
Men final results here.

Results (brief)

Women

1. Mari Laukkanen (Fin)
2. Denise Herrmann (Ger)
3. Kathrine Rolsted Harsem (Nor)
4. Ida Sargeant (USA)

13. Sadie Bjornsen (USA)
15 . Rosie Brennan (USA)
18. Rebecca Rorabaugh (USA)
21. Kate Brennan (Can)
27. Emily Nishikawa (Can)
DNS Brittany Webster (Can)

Men

1. Ole-marius Bach (Nor)
2. Martin Jaeger (Sui)
3. Andrey Parfenov (Rus)

9. Len Valjas (Can)
15. Frederic Touchette (Can)
20. Peter Kling (USA)
26. Simeon Hamilton (USA)
27 Julien Nury (Can)
34. Reese Hanneman (USA)
39. Patrick Johnson (USA)
47. Graeme Killick (Can)