March 13, 2009 (Duntroon, ON) – On Friday, day four of the 2009 Canadian XC Nationals at Highlands Nordic near Duntroon, Ontario Sean Crooks (NST) and Laura Valaas (USST) have won the 1.3 km classic sprints. Cameron Egan from the Sovereign Lake club broke up a National team sweep of the top four with a second place finish – his first ever podium at a National Championships. In third was Phil Widmer (NST) of Canmore Nordic.

Laura Valaas (USST) of the APU elite team won the women’s sprint ahead of Alberta World Cup Academy skier Shayla Swanson. In third was Valaas’ APU teammate Katie Ronsee. The championship week continues on Sunday with the 30/50km distance skate events.

Complete results available here.

Results (brief)

Men
1. Sean Crooks (Big Thunder) NST
2. Cameron Egan (Sovereign Lakes)
3. Phil Widmer (Canmore) NST
4. Stefan Kuhn (Canmore) NST
5. Julien Nury (Skibec) NST

Women
1. Laura Valaas (APU) USST
2. Shayla Swanson (Foothills) ABWC
3. Katie Ronsee (APU)
4. Alysson Marshall (Larch Hills) ABWC
5. Kate Brennan (Kanata) ABWC