September 2, 2008 (Whistler, BC) – The US Ski team in Whistler for a 10-day training camp at the 2010 Olympic venue held a classic sprint time trial on site. Kris Freeman and Kikkan Randall took top spots in their respective fields. The skiers raced on a modified sprint course as the actual classic course is not fully paved yet. In total 13 athletes competed, nine in the men’s race and four in the women’s.

All 13 racers advanced through the four-round competition regardless of placing which allowed some athletes to switch rollerskis between heats. In the semi-final round Torin Koos – the day’s top qualifier and dominant all day – crossed the finish line first with the same time as Andy Newell, with Freeman just a couple seconds back.

In the final the three skiers all crossed in 3:25 with Freeman taking the win. On the women’s side Randall led from start to finish after taking the first round prologue and then held off Laura Valaas in the final to take the overall top spot.

Results

Final

Men
1. Kris Freeman (USA) 3:25
2. Torin Koos (USA) 3:25
3. Andy Newell (USA) 3:25
4. Dave Chamberlain (USA) 3:31
5. Pat O’Brien (USA) 3:32
6. Dan Roycroft (Can) 3:44 *slow skis
7. Simi Hamilton (USA) 3:44
8. Mike Argue (Can) 3:46
9. Nick Klein 3:49

Women
1. Kikkan Randall (USA) 2:42
2. Laura Valaas (USA) 2:44
3. Lindsay Williams (USA) 2:49
4. Morgan Smyth (USA) 2:51