October 24, 2014 (Canmore, AB) – Ida Sargent (USA) U.S. Ski Team – CGRP and Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (USA) Bend Endurance Academy topped the qualifications at the 1.6km WinSport Frozen Thunder Classic Sprint qualifications today at the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Sargent leading Jones © Angus Cockney

Perianne Jones (NST) was the top Canadian woman in 2nd while fellow Canuck Jesse Cockney (AWCA-NST) placed second in the men’s field. The top junior women’s qualifier was Nakkertok’s Katherine Stewart-Jones while the fastest junior male was Angus Foster (Lakehead). Sargent was second here last year while Blackhorse-von Jess took the win so they both look on form once again.

Andy Newell © Angus Cockney

Sargent prevailed over Jones in the Women’s A-Final with Dahria Beatty (CAN) AWCA in 3rd and Heidi Widmer (CAN) AWCA-NST 4th. US star, Jessica Diggins (U.S. Ski Team – SMST2) took the women’s B-Final.

Devon Kershaw © Angus Cockney

Following the heats the USA’s Andrew Newell (U.S. Ski Team – SMST2) took the win over von Jess in the men’s A-Final with Inniger Mathias (SUI) SC Adelboden in 3rd and a surprising Kris Freeman (USA) Freebird, a veteran distance skier, in 4th. Canada’s Devon Kershaw (NST/Onaping Falls) took home the B-Final victory.

Results

Women

A-Final

1.    Ida Sargent (USA) U.S. Ski Team – CGRP
2.    Perianne Jones (CAN) NST
3.    Dahria Beatty (CAN) AWCA
4.    Heidi Widmer (CAN) AWCA-NST

B-Final

1. Jessica Diggins (USA) U.S. Ski Team – SMST2
2. Alysson Marshall (CAN) AWCA-NST
3. Erika Flowers (USA) SMS T2
4. Elizabeth Stephen (USA) U.S. Ski Team – Burke Mt Academy

Men

A-Final

1. Andrew Newell (USA) U.S. Ski Team – SMST2
2. Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (USA) Bend Endurance Academy
3. Inniger Mathias (SUI) SC Adelboden
4. Kris Freeman (USA) Freebird

B-Final

1. Devon Kershaw (CAN) NST/Onaping Falls
2. Jesse Cockney (CAN) AWCA-NST
3. Len Valjas (CAN) NST/Hardwood
4. Benjamin Saxton (USA) U.S. Ski Team – SMST2

Heats here.

Qualifications

Women

1.    Ida Sargent (U.S. Ski Team – CGRP)    04:18.3
2.    Perianne Jones (NST) 04:20.9
3.    Dahria Beatty (AWCA) 04:27.1
4.    Heidi Widmer (AWCA-NST) 04:27.3
5.    Alysson Marshall (AWCA-NST) 04:27.4
6.    Emily Nishikawa (AWCA-NST) 04:29.3
7.    Elizabeth Stephen (U.S. Ski Team – Burke Mt Academy)    04:29.4
8.    Jessica Diggins (U.S. Ski Team – SMST2)    04:29.5
9.    Erika Flowers (SMS T2) 04:30.3
10.    Annie Pokorny (SMS T2) 04:31.7

Full women’s results here.

Men

1.    Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy)    03:43.3
2.    Jesse Cockney (AWCA-NST) 03:45.4
3.    Inniger Mathias (SC Adelboden) 03:47.5
4.    Kris Freeman (Freebird) 03:48.9
5.    Andrew Newell (U.S. Ski Team – SMST2)    03:49.4
6.    Devon Kershaw (Onaping Falls) 03:50.0
7.    Len Valjas (Hardwood) 03:50.9
8.    Benjamin Saxton (U.S. Ski Team – SMST2) 03:52.0
9.    Bob Thompson (NDC TBay) 03:52.1
10.    Michael Somppi (AWCA-NST) 03:52.6

Full men’s results here.