November 23, 2007 (West Yellowstone, MT) – Defending sprint champion Laura Valaas (APU) and Garrott Kuzzy (CXC), teammates last season on Team CXC, won the opening races of the USSA Cross Country SuperTour Friday. The women raced a 950 metre freestyle technique course on the Rendezvous Ski Trails and the men raced over a 1.6 km route.

Valaas, who won nine SuperTour sprints during the 2007 season – earning her a place on the 2007 World Championships team and then a berth on the U.S. Ski Team this season, out-sprinted veteran Karen Camenisch of Switzerland for the win. Third place went to University of Denver athlete Katie Ronsse and Alaskan Kasandra Rice was fourth.

In the men’s race, Kuzzy edged former Dartmouth skier Michael Sinnott, who now trains with the Sun Valley Ski Team. Last year’s winner, Even Sletten of Norway, finished third with weteran Dave Chamberlain, showing surprise skating skills, was fourth.

A foot of snow early in the week enabled race organizers to groom the trails and stage the races, which had been threatened because of the early season snow drought in the West. “The organizers were very creative in setting the courses, making them challenging and a good start for the SuperTour,” said U.S. Development Coach Matt Whitomb.

The Yellowstone Ski Festival continues Saturday with the men’s 15 km and women’s 10 km classic technique races.

Results (brief)

Women

1. Laura Valaas (USA) APU
2. Karin Camenisch (Sui) Rossignol
3. Katie Ronsse (USA) University of Denver
4. Kasandra Rice (USA)

Men

1. Garrott Kuzzy (USA) CXC
2. Mike Sinnott (USA) Dartmouth
3. Even Sletten (Nor)
4. DaveChamberlain (USA)

For complete results click here.