February 03, 2015 (Almaty, Kazakhstan) – Conditions were sunny and -8 degrees Celsius as the Junior 1.3km Sprint CL competitions got under this morning after being delayed a day due to snow conditions. Victoria Carl (GER) claimed the Junior women’s sprint victory, the first title of the 2015 Junior/U23 Nordic World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, while Katherine Stewart-Jones (CAN) finished 19th as the top North American woman.

Victoria Carl (GER) ©FIS

Qualifying for the women was tight as Stewart-Jones advanced with her 19th place at 13 seconds from the leader. The other two Canadian qualifiers were Sophie Carrier-Laforte in 23rd and Maya McIssac-Jones was 29th.

The USA’s Julia Kern was close to qualifying in 32nd followed by teammates Vivian Hett in 36th and Hailey Swirbul in 40th. Canada’s Annah Hanthorn finished 45th with Kristen Bourne (USA) in 46th.

In the knockout quarter-finals Stewart-Jones and MacIssac-Jones were drawn together in heat 4. The round was won by Natalia Nepryaeva of Russia with Stewart-Jones 4th, at 9 seconds off the lead and MacIssac-Jones in 5th at 12 seconds back from the Russian winner. Carrier-Laforte was in heat 5 and ended up 5th at 12 seconds off the pace set by Austrian skier Lisa Unterweger.

Katherine Stewart-Jones said: “I’m definitely satisfied with my race. After the qualifier I was a little worried that I had not qualified because I felt like I had struggled with grip up the big (final) hill. I was relieved when I found out I had qualified 19th. I was extremely excited that two of my (junior women) teammates qualified as well. In the quarter I had the goal of making it to the semi’s and really believed I could.  Unfortunately, I made a couple of tactical mistakes. Overall a great day for Canada and I am sure there are many more great performances ahead!”

USA's Thomas O'Harra (bib #18) during the heats © USSA

Team USA’s Thomas O’Harra (USA) led the North Americans in 14th as Fredrik Riseth (NOR) took home the junior men’s gold. O’Harra qualified 18th as the lone North American to advance to the heats as Julian Smith (CAN) was the top Canuck in 39th at two seconds from the top 30 cut off.

Evan Weinman (USA) placed 46th, Peter Holmes (USA) was 48th, Alexis Dumas (CAN) was 53rd, Ricardo Izquierdo-Bernier (CAN) finished 56th, Gavin Hess (USA) was 58th and Philippe Boucher (CAN) was 59th out of 77 skiers.

Junior Women’s Qualifications here.
Junior Women’s Results here.

Junior Men’s Qualifications here.
Junior Men’s Results here.