February 26, 2008 (Mals, Italy) – Tuesday featured the U23 races at the 2008 Nordic Junior/U23 Worlds and North American women, lead by Perianne Jones (Can) in 12th, took four top-20 spots in the 10km classic race in Val Venosta, Italy. Morgan Arritola (USA) in 18th lead a tight group of Americans as Liz Stephen and Tazlina Mannix were 19th and 21st. Jones, Stephen and Mannix all had blistering 2nd half times in their races and all moved up from eight to 15 places at the finish – there were 44 starters.

Canada’s Brent McMurtry and Chris Butler were the only North American skiers to break into the top-30 in a very spread out field of 70 starters. Mike Sinnott of the USA, and a graduate of Dartmouth College this past year, placed 37th more than 5 min. behind the leader Martin Jaks (Cze), who was the clear winner with a time of 42:10. and a margin of 32 seconds over Alex Poltaranin of Kaz which is a run away victory.

Results

Women

1. Olga Tiagai (Rus) 29:41.6
2. Aorore Cuinet (Fra) 29:53.5
3. Silja Tarvonen (Fin) 30:18.9

12. Perianne Jones (Can) 31:00.0
18. Morgan Arritola (USA) 31:20.3
19. Liz Stephen (USA) 31:26.3
21. Tazlina Mannix (USA) 31:38.26.9
32. Amanda Ammar (Can) 32:14.3
35. Kate Brennan (Can) 2:31.8

Men

1. Martin Jaks (Cze) 42:10.2
2. Alex-Poltaranin (Kaz) 42:42.5
3. Petter Eliassen (Nor) 43:15.4

20. Brent McMurtry (Can) 45:28.8
29. Christopher Butler (Can) 46:11.5
37. Mike Sinnott (USA) 47:14.6
48. Ben True (USA) 48:18.1
52. Pate Neuman (Can) 49:08.2
59. Simeon Hamilton (USA) 50:24.5
62. Jesse Winter (Can) 50:37.3
64. Tyson Flaharty (USA) 51:03.1