January 28, 2005 – Withstanding single digit Wisconsin temperatures, thousands of eager
spectators gathered for the first Madison Sprint Super Series races.
Comprised of North Americas best sprint specialist, racers went head to
head in four person matched sprint heats. When all the smoke cleared it was
Rossignol skiers Kate Whitcomb and Karin Camenisch who climbed on the
podium for a second and third place in this strong international women’s field.

On the western front, TEAM ROSSIGNOL swept the overall podium positions of
the 28K Teton Ridge Classic race in Driggs, Idaho, January 15. Veteran Jon
Engen of Sun Valley, ID, claimed the title for the second time, tightly
followed by marathon work-horse Chad Andersen of Bozeman, MT and classic
specialist Michael Myers of Missoula, MT. The Rossignol trio broke away
early in the race and finished close to 4 minutes ahead of a strong
regional field. Team Rossignol’s forever young Muffy Ritz finished second
in the women’s division after Kelly Milligan. Rossignol skiers were also
well represented in the off-podium positions; Eric Jensen of Boise, ID was
5th, Scott Creel of Bozeman, MT 9th and Chris Humbert of Salt Lake City, UT
18th in the men’s 28K. Darlene Young of Ketchum, ID placed 4th in the
women’s 14K event.

Jan 22nd
The American Marathon Series got underway with the 21st running of the
Pepsi Challenge marathon in Biwabik, MN. Under clear skies and single digit
temperatures, competitors raced the grueling 48km course at Giants Ridge
Ski Area. A two day snow storm that left two feet of snow on this hilly
world class course humbled even the toughest of skiers. A fierce battle was
underway from the start of the race as three Team Rossignol skiers jockied
for position in a lead breakaway pack of six racers. It was local favorite
and Duluth physician Adam Swank who came out on top for Rossignol in 2nd
place while his teammate Tobias Schwoerer took third. Close behind in fifth
position was Chip Tabor of Mnpls. MN. On the women’s side, JoAnn Hanowski
led a courageous charge against a tough women’s field only to miss the
podium for a fourth place finish followed by Kim Rudd in 6th and Jamie
Misner in seventh place.

While some of the top racers took on the marathon scene, many of the other
Team Rossignol racers went in search of FIS Olympic points by racing in the
Mt. Itasca Super Series races. The Rossignol women skiers took the first
10km skate race by storm as Karin Camenisch devoured the competition to
take top honors followed by her teammate Kate Pearson in third and Kate
Whitcomb in sixth. In the men’s race, John Bauer skied through a serious
foot injury to take fifth followed by Team Rossignol skiers Owen Hanley in
13th, Alexander Curikov in 19th, and Peter Abraham in 23rd. The following
day’s classic race was a clean sweep for the Rossignol women as Karin
Camenisch took her second win in as many days followed by Tasha Betcherman,
Kate Whitcomb, and Kate Pearson in second, third, and fourth respectively.