March 23, 2018 (Craftsbury Common, VT) – Jessie Diggins (SMST2) took home another victory winning the women’s CL Sprint on day one of the 2018 USSA SuperTour Finals with Sophie Caldwell (SMST2) in 2nd and Ida Sargent (Craftsbury Green Racing Project) third just edging out top qualifier, Sadie Bjornsen (APU), in 4th. Also making the A-Final were Rosie Brennan (APU) in 5th and Kikkan Randall (APU) in 6th.

Andy Newell (SMST2), who won the qualifier as well, delivered the goods in the men’s CL Sprint besting teammate Ben Saxton (SMST2) in second followed by Erik Bjornsen (APU) in third. Claiming 4th was Kris Freeman (Caldwell Sport) with Simi Hamilton (SMST2) 5th and Reese Hanneman (APU) in 6th.

“It feels great to be back in the US after 5 months away and to be racing here in Vermont. Maybe it’s being back stateside or maybe its putting on my SMS suit again but I felt a lot stronger yesterday than I have in the past month or so. Conditions were great and the sun was out so it was perfect spring skiing conditions,” said Newell.

“Racing in the US is always different because for the first time all season you feel like you are competing against your US Ski Team teammates. We really don’t have that feeling in the winter since we are all racing for the USA, it’s all one team. But when we go home to our clubs it’s a different atmosphere like we are racing against each other.  So to have my world cup teammates in the final and to come away with the win was a really fun way to end the season.
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“I knew in the final it would come down to the last gradual hill and into the lanes so I tried to focus on that section and push the striding in the warming snow,” added Newell.

Madison Morgan (UNH) took home the Junior Women’s Sprint CL title with Phoebe Sweet (Craftsbury Nordic) second and Alexandra Lawson (Middlebury College Ski Team) in third.

Canada’s Étienne Hébert (Montériski/AIAWCA) was the fastest in the Junior Men’s final followed by fellow Canuck, Nicolas Beaulieu (Orford), as Middlebury College’s Peter Wolter claimed the title as the first American in third overall. Adam Glueck (Dartmouth Ski Team) was second and Karl Schulz (UVM Ski Team) was the third-fastest US junior.

W Sprint Qualifier here
M Sprint Qualifier here
Women Sprint Overall here
Men Sprint Overall here
Sprint Brackets here.
Junior Sprint Brackets here