February 27, 2016 (Rasnov, Romania) – The USA’s Katharine Ogden (Stratton Mountain School) was the top North American again claiming 13th on Day 3 in the Junior women’s 10k individual freestyle races at the FIS Nordic World Junior and U23 Championships on Thursday. The freestyle races replaced the previously scheduled Skiathlon race, due to a lack of snow. Sweden’s Ebba Andersson dominated finishing nearly 30 seconds ahead of Germany’s Katharina Hennig in second and Norway’s Tiril Weng in third. Hannah Mehain was the top Canadian in 54th.

Katharine Ogden (USA) © USSA

“Katharine Ogden had an awesome day and was consistent in her race today as well as in the results,” said U.S. Ski Team Development, Coach Bryan Fish. “She did a great job holding on to her place throughout the race.”

In the Junior Men’s 15km contest, Ian Torchia (Northern Michigan University) led the U.S. junior menwhile Joey Foster was the top Canadian with a 33rd-place finish. Russia’s Ivan Yakimushkin won by 12.2 seconds over Norway’s Mattis Stenshagen and Russia’s Denis Spitsov in third.

Patrick Caldwell © FIS

In the U23 men’s 15k individual freestyle race, Norway’s Simen Krueger claimed first just 13.3 seconds ahead of France’s Clement Parisse and Alexandre Pouye in third. Patrick Caldwell (Stratton Mountain School) led the U.S. U23 men finishing 21st, just 1.3 seconds out of the top 20. Canada’s Jack Carlyle had a strong race finishing 32nd, 3 seconds from the top 30, with Alexis Dumas 38th.  Scott Hill was in the mid-twenties halfway through the race, but couldn’t hold the pace finishing 42nd, with Angus Foster 72nd.

Germany’s Victoria Carl skied to a convincing first place, in the U23 women’s 10k individual freestyle. Carl finished 18.9 seconds ahead of Slovania’s Lea Einfalt and Russia’s Anastasia Sedova. Sedova was the champion of the 5k individual classic on Tuesday.

Frédérique Vézina ©

Frédérique Vézina was the top Canadian in 35th followed by the USA’s Felicia Gesior (Northern Michigan University) in 38th with Kelsey Phinney in 39th. Canada’s Kendra Murray was 45th, Alannah MacLean finished 46th and Sophie Carrier-Laforte was 47th.

“Conditions for today’s race were a lot better,” said U.S. Ski Team Development, Coach Bryan Fish. “The past few races were very warm and sloppy, but the course froze over night which made for great racing conditions today.”

This was the final race for the U23 athletes, but competition continues for juniors on Friday with a 4×5 and 4×2.5 k freestyle relay.

Junior men here.
Junior women here.

U23 men here.
U23 women here.