November 28, 2009 (West Yellowstone, MT) – Canada’s Madeleine Williams (Alberta World Cup Academy) scored her first win of the season taking Saturday’s SuperTour women’s 5km classic in 16:16.9 finishing 5.7 seconds ahead of yesterday’s 10km skate winner, Holly Brooks (APU). Fellow Canuck 25-year-old Dasha Gaiazova (Canadian National Team) rounded out the podium in 3rd and leaves West Yellowstone with a stacked scorecard winning gold in the sprint, silver in the 10km skate, and a bronze from today’s 5km classic.

“It was a good, tough race today. It is pretty high here and I just tried to stay relaxed and was able to do that,” said the 25-year-old Williams in a CCC release. “This time of year is really about seeing where my fitness is at. I feel like it is where I need it to be and I have focus now on skiing fast.” Williams and the rest of the Canadian athletes will now head back to Canada where they will prepare for the Canadian Olympic Trials December 17-20.

Kuzzy, Cook, Crooks, and Kuhn (try 5x fast)
Garrott Kuzzy (US) CXC Team Vertical Limit/USST was back on the podium as he won the men’s 10km classic over a a charging Chris Cook (USA) with the new Steinbock Racing in second. Canadian National Team member Sean Crooks took 3rd together with team mate Stefan Kuhn in 4th (same time) followed by sprint winner Leif Zimmermann (USA) Bridger Ski Foundation/Madshus in 5th.

Full results here.

Results (brief)

Elite Women

1. Madeleine Williams (Can) Alberta World Cup Academy 16:16.9
2. Holly Brooks (USA) APU 5.7
3. Dasha Gaiazova (Can) Canadian National Team 9.7
4. Shayla Swanson (Can) Canadian National Team 15.7
5. Rosie Brennan (USA) Dartmount 23.4
6. Brittany Webster (Can) Canadian National Team 32.2
7. Laura Vallas (USA) APU 34.9
8. Nicole De Yong (USA) Sun Valley 36.1
9. Becca Rorabaugh (USA) APU 36.9

Elite Men

1. Garrott Kuzzy (USA) CXC Team Vertical Limit/USST 29:25.8
2. Chris Cook (USA) Steinbock Racing +2.529
3. Sean Crooks (Can) Canadian National Team +30.430
4. Stefan Kuhn (Can) Canadian National Team +30.430
5. Leif Zimmermann (USA) Bridger Ski Foundation/Madshus +31.626