November 27, 2015 (West Yellowstone, MT) – Alaska Pacific University’s Logan Hanneman surged during the final in the men’s 1.3km FR sprint, to beat out his brother Reese and claim the top spot in the USSA SuperTour season opener on the Rendezvous Trails at West Yellowstone. In the women’s competition Jenny Bender of BSF, a two-time sprint national champion, battled to victory ahead of 17-year-old Hannah Halvorsen (Sugar Bowl) to claim the women’s crown.

“No brotherly tensions tonight – we are both equally happy,” said 22 year old Logan, who is sharing a room with his older brother Reese, “I don’t think I’ll wake up with a pillow over my head.”

Pre-race favorite Dakota Blackhorse-Von Jess (Bend Endurance) settled for third despite finishing the qualification ahead of both Hannemans and only behind Canada’s Knut Johnsgaard of Alberta World Cup Academy. Johnsgaard ended up in fourth.

“I have a lot of respect for Reese for the ballsy move and Logan for having the patience to wait until the end,” said Von Jess, “Those two are much better than they were last year.”

Bender of Bridger Ski Foundation, won both the qualification and all of her heats. She credits her win to her consistency during the summer training as well as her focus on healing from a herniated disc in her back.  “I’m taking time to work on the little details,” she said, “But classic skiing is going to be my big battle. My chiropractor wants me to use a back brace, so I might be that kid.”

Halvorsen, a 17-year-old from Sugar Bowl Academy finished a surprising second after qualifying third. It was Halvorsen’s third year qualifying for the senior heats in West Yellowstone, and she said it was a learning experience. “Skiing behind those girls I learn more today than I do in a month of training,” she said. Canada’s Dahria Beatty of Whitehore and the Alberta World Cup Academy finished third after a 25th-place qualification result.

It was Logan Hanneman’s first win as he was also debuting at West Yellowstone. After finishing a NCAA career at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), Hanneman was faced with competing as an athlete while finishing his Mechanical Engineering degree. He took his Fundamentals of Engineering only a week before the his victory, and will return to Fairbanks after next weekend’s USSA Supertour in Sun Valley in order to finish up his classes. After that, he says his eyes are set on the skate sprint at U23s in Rasnov, Romania.

The race was delayed by two hours due to subzero temperature. On Thursday night the forecast called for double digit negative temperatures, yet the trails were still firm when racers began at 11am.

Although the winners were pleased with their performances, they all emphasized that it was only one race of a long season. Von Jess, last year’s winner, credited the Hanneman brothers but added, “It’s West Yellowstone, which means something to anyone who has ever raced here. Everybody is still working out the kinks.”

Results here.