February 13, 2012 (Albu, Estonia) – The Canadian and US development trips stopped in at Albu, Estonia this weekend, with skiers competing in classic sprint and distance races as part of the Scandinavian Cup series. The Canadian contingent, which has been plagued by illness since the start of the trip, was bolstered by the addition of the current Haywood NorAm women’s overall leader, Alysson Marshall.

In Saturday’s classic sprint competition Marshall qualified in third place before eventually finishing 7th overall and as the top North American woman. Zoe Roy, the only other Canadian woman to race, finished 35th. Rebecca Rorabaugh was the fastest American, qualifying in 27th position, but was unable to move beyond the quarterfinals and finished 27th overall. Also representing the USA was Mary O’Connell, who finished 36th. The race was won by Norway’s Maria Groenvoll.

On the men’s side, Canada’s Phil Widmer was the top North American qualifier, finishing in 30th place after qualifying 25th. Widmer crashed in his quarterfinal and did not move on. Americans Michael Sinnott and Erik Bjornsen just missed out on the heats, qualifying 31st and 33rd respectively. Resse Hanneman (38th), Peter Kling (57th), Cole Morgan (62nd), Welly Ramsey (63rd), Forrest Mahlen (75th), Michael Vigers (76th) and Max Christian (81st) also missed the heats. Norway’s John Kristian Dahl was the eventual race winner.

Sunday featured classic distance races, with Sweden’s Eva Svensson winning the women’s 10km event, and Norway’s Dahl taking the win in the men’s 15km race. Once again Canada’s Alysson Marshall led the way for the North American women, finishing in 15th place, followed by Canada’s Alana Thomas in 19th. Teammate Zoe Roy was 24th. The USA’s Rebecca Rorabaugh finished in 22nd, with teammates Mary O’Connell and Emily Hannah further back in 30th and 33rd, respectively.

In the men’s race, Canada’s Brian McKeever led the way for the North Americans, finishing in 23rd, with teammate Graham Nishikawa close behind in 25th, followed by Michael Somppi in 30th. The US men were led by Sinnott, who finished in 36th position, followed by Bjornsen (51st), Hanneman (56th), Kling (58th), Ramsey (59th), Morgan (63rd), Mahlen (66th), Vigers (74th), and Christian (77th).

Women’s final classic sprint results HERE.
Men’s final classic sprint results HERE.
Women’s 10km classic results HERE.
Men’s 15km classic results HERE.