January 29, 2014 (Val di Fiemme, Italy) – The competitions kicked off today in Val di Fiemme, Italy at the FIS Nordic Junior/U23 World Ski Championships with the Junior/U23 Free Sprints. Conditions were excellent with hard-packed tracks, sunshine, and temperatures of -5 C.

Diggins racing for silver © flyingpointroad.com

Women 1.2km FR
World Cup veteran Jessie Diggins (USA) topped the women’s qualifiers, followed by Italy’s Gaia Vuerich (ITA) and Greta Laurent (ITA). Other North American qualifying results included Heidi Widmer (CAN) 21st and Annie Pokorny (USA) 28th. Canada’s Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt (CAN) narrowly missed advancing, placing 34th place at 0.8 seconds from the top 30 with team mate Cendrine Browne (CAN) only 0.2 seconds further back in 36th. USA’s Elizabeth Guiney (USA) and Mackenzie Kanady (USA) also did not advance, finishing 39th, and 40th, respectively.

Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt just missed qualifying placing 34th © flyingpointroad.com

Diggins led her Quarterfinal before settling for second behind 11th-place qualifier, Italy’s Giulia Stuerz (ITA). Julia Svan (SWE), daughter of legendary Gunde Svan (SWE) finished fourth, while Canada’s Widmer took fifth. The USA’s Pokorny at her second U23 Worlds, but first international sprint finished last in her heat and did not advance.

Heidi Widmer - #21 Qualifier © flyingpointroad.com

In her semi final, Diggins’ strategy didn’t go as planned and the Afton, MN skier ended up third behind Stuerz and winner Germany’s Elizabeth Schicho (GER). But this was the fastest heat, so Diggins made it through to the final as a Lucky Loser.

Diggins battles in the final taking home the silver © flyingpointroad.com

Diggins put on the afterburners in the final, taking the lead from the start with only Schicho able to follow. The two were on their own as they entered the finishing straight together with a comfortable lead on the field, but Diggins faded as Schicho passed her to take the gold by two seconds, with Italy’s Stuerz completing the podium in third. Canada’s Widmer finished 19th overall.

Annie Pokorny (USA) © flyingpointroad.com

Men 1.5km FR
Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov (RUS) dominated the U23 Men’s race, winning all of his heats, including the final for gold. Sondre Turvall Fossli (NOR) qualified second and Roman Tarasov (RUS) took the third qualification spot.

Erik Bjornsen © flyingpointroad.com

USA’s Erik Bjornsen (USA) was the top North American qualifier in 25th, followed by teammate Tyler Kornfield (USA) in 29th. No Canadians advanced, with Andy Shields finishing 39th, Knute Johnsgaard 42nd, Patrick Stewart-Jones 50th, and Sebastien Townsend 53rd.

Tyler Kornfield (USA) © flyingpointroad.com

Bjornsen continued to ski strong and held second in his heat behind Paul Goalabre (FRA) until he was passed on the finishing straight to finish fourth, putting him out of the running. Kornfield was also fourth in his heat and was subsequently eliminated.

In the final, Goalabre took silver behind Ustiugov, while Switzerland’s Roman Schaad (SUI) won bronze.

Jr/U23 Sprint Course Preview

Photos courtesy of NNF and Flyingpointroad.com in support of US skiers
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Qualifying Women
Heats Women
Finals Women

Qualifying Men
Heats Men
Finals Men