December 18, 2005 (Canmore, Alta.) – The surprise in heat one of the men’s team sprint was the emergence of Poland fighting for one of the top three spots. With Sweden I, Germany, US I, Austria and Italy II all threats to take the top five spots, Poland, who had disappeared for many years from international standings, took the third spot, with Sweden I, Italy II, Germany, and a strong US I team taking the other four final positions.

Heat two was even more competitive with Norway I taking top spot, Russia in one second behind them, Finland, who only had two skiers at this World Cup in third, Sweden II, and fourth, and another surprise placing of Japan taking the last spot. Canada II missed the cut by four seconds with a 7th place, with Canada IV taking 9th, and US III and US II taking 9th and 10th spots.

This set up a final for Norway, Sweden I, Sweden II, Russia, Poland, Italy II, Finland, Germany, United States, and Japan. By the first lap, Sweden II was leading with Sweden I, Italy II, and Norway I immediately on their heels. By the second lap, Russia and Germany had moved up to challenge with skiers trading off leads over the unrelenting terrain. But by the third round exchange the decisive moves had been made as Norway I, Sweden I, and Sweden II excelerated away from the field, quickly establishing a seven-second lead. They held this Scandinavian break-away into the last round of exchanges, with Russia chasing at six seconds down, and Poland another two seconds behind them.

The final was the stuff of legends as Norway I and Sweden I flew down the last descent and into the finishing stretch with wickedly fast double poling. It would be Eldar Roenning, the Norwegian, who in the end literally jumped every double pole action, taking the gold in 16:22:4 against the Swede’s at 16:22:5. Sweden II slid in at 16:28:1, while the Americans placed 9th in 17:02:5, earning World Cup points once again this weekend.

While there is an age-old rivalry between Norwegian and Swedish skiers, life within the Norwegian team is highly competitive. The Olympic team has not been named and there are 20-25 skiers vying for 11 places. At any given time, anyone of these skiers can win an Olympic gold. Each World Cup win is vitally important to them. With Tor Arne Hetland, who won gold in the Sovereign Lake sprints and sits second in World Cup sprint points, not feeling well today, conditions lent themselves to allow others to shine.

1 NORWAY I NOR 16:22.4
2 SWEDEN I SWE 16:22.5
3 SWEDEN II SWE 16:28.1
4 RUSSIA RUS 16:29.1
5 POLAND POL 16:32.4
6 ITALY II ITA 16:33.9
7 FINLAND FIN 16:35.7
8 GERMANY GER 16:37.0
9 UNITED STATES I USA 17:02.5
10 JAPAN I JPN 17:06.8
11 SWITZERLAND SUI
13 CANADA II CAN
14 AUSTRIA AUT
15 ITALY I ITA
16 JAPAN II JPN
17 CANADA IV CAN
18 FRANCE I FRA
19 CANADA III CAN
20 UNITED STATES III USA
21 UNITED STATES II USA
22 FIN/SWE FIS