October 24, 2013 (Canmore, AB) – Fabulous conditions greeted strong fields at the 2nd annual Winsport Frozen Thunder Classic Sprint Races in Canmore on Thursday as the Olympic 2013/14 season gets underway. Topping the women’s field was Austrian Katerina Smutna with the USA’s Ida Sargent on the podium in second followed by Sophie Caldwell (USA) in third with Canada’s Alysson Marshall making the A-Final and finishing 4th. Caldwell was the fastest qualifier with Smutna second and Sargent third and Marshall 4th.

Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (USA) emerged as the men’s A-Final winner besting fellow Yank and World Cup veteran Andy Newell followed by Simi Hamilton (USA) in third with Samuel Naney in 4th as the Canadian hosts were shut out of the final. Patrick Stewart-Jones was the top Canuck in 5th followed by Philip Widmer in 6th and Michael Somppi in 7th. Newell was the fastest qualifier with Skyler Davis second, Hamilton 3rd and Blackhorse-von Jess 4th.

Results

Women

A-Final
1. Katerina Smutna (AUT) 4:16.62
2. Ida Sargent (USA) 4:17.70
3. Sophie Caldwell (USA) 4:22.30
4. Alysson Marshall (CAN) 4:46.28

B-Final
5. Elizabeth Stephen (USA) 4:40.98
6. Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt (CAN) 5:03.60
7. Andrea Dupont (CAN) 5:23.61

Men

A-Final
1. Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (USA) 3:54.46
2. Andrew Newell (USA) 3:59.10
3. Simeon Hamilton (USA) 4:02.10
4. Samuel Naney (USA) 4:18.27

B-Final
5. Patrick Stewart-Jones (CAN) 4:08.22
6. Philip Widmer (CAN) 4:10.22
7. Michael Somppi (CAN) 4:24.15

Final bracket results here.
Qualifications here.