January 3, 2009 (Anchorage, AK) – Day one of the Haywood NorAm series the individual 1.3km skate Sprints took place on Saturday at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Cold temperatures delayed the event start by two hours but temperatures just inside the legal limit enabled race organizers to hold the event. Dasha Gaiazova of Skielite dominated the day winning the qualifying round and sprinting to victory in the women’s “A” Final. Behind her in second place was National Ski Team member Perianne Jones, followed by Brooke Gosling of the Alberta World Cup Academy. Due to low numbers in the women’s field the “A” final contained only four women. Rhonda Jewett, who qualified second, took that 4th place spot in the final. “My goal was to win won of the four trials races this week so I have done that right away and I am very happy,” said Gaiazova. “I think my strength training during the summer has turned me into a sprinter.”

In the men’s event Mike Argue of the Rocky Mountain Racers shocked a field full of National team members to win the men’s event. Following closely behind Argue was National team sprinter Sean Crooks with Mont Ste. Anne’s Alex Harvey in third. Jeff Ellis (Mono Nordic) APU Elite took fourth while Stefan Kuhn (Canmore Nordic) NST was fifth. “The goal was to get onto the podium so to win certainly exceeded my expectations,” said Argue. I know this course well and I knew that I could have a great result here. This builds confidence for the remainder of the trials.”

Full results available here.

Results (brief)

Women

1. Dasha Gaiazova (Skielite) QCST
2. Perianne Jones (Nakketok) NST
3. Brooke Gosling (Foothills) AB WC Academy
4. Rhonda Jewett (Foothills) AB WC Academy
5. Alana Thomas (Team Hardwood) XC Ottawa
6. Karla Bailey (Big Thunder Nordic)

Men

1. Mike Argue (RMR)
2. Sean Crooks (Big Thunder Nordic) NST
3. Alex Harvey (MSA) NST
4. Jeff Ellis (Mono Nordic) APU Elite
5. Stefan Kuhn (Canmore Nordic) NST
6. Phil Widmer (Canmore Nordic) NST