January 22, 2016 (Lienz, Austria) – The USA’s Andy Newell made the final at the 7pm evening Dolomite Sprint today in the centre of Lienz, to finish 4th behind winner Mirco Bertolini (ITA). Newell won every round including his semi against Bertolini but was unable to make it a perfect scoresheet settling for fourth behind Italy’s Emanuele Becchs in second and Austria’s Tobias Habenicht in 3rd.

Andrew Newell (USA) © Nordic Focus

Also on the start line were Canada’s Lenny Valjas, 27, and American Reese Hannemann, 24, who were both eliminated in their respective quarterfinals. Hannemann will also compete in the 42km Dolomite Classic Race Worldloppet in Obertilliach on January 23. The sprint, in the medieval town of Lienz in the Austrian state of Tyrol, kicks off three days of racing that includes the 42km FR Dolomitenlauf Worldloppet and FIS Worldloppet Cup.

The Dolomitenlauf is Austria’s biggest cross-country ski event and is based on the concept that regardless of whether you’re a professional, amateur or hobby skier – the Dolomitenlauf offers ideal sporting challenges for all abilities, tastes and age groups, amidst stunning scenery. A total of seven different races with varying distances and degrees of difficulty are held over the four-day event. Besides the main competition, the Dolomitenlauf ski marathon on Sunday, the other sporting highlight and social event is the Dolomite Sprint in the centre of Lienz on Friday evening – read more here.

Results here.