November 28, 2014 (West Yellowstone, Montana) – Dakota Black Horse Von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy) took his first unofficial victory of the season topping the men’s field in the season opener USSA SuperTour 1.5km FR Sprints at the legendary West Yellowstone Ski Festival which welcomed just under 300 skiers. Colorado’s Mads Stroemm and Rune Odegaard – both from Norway – claimed second and third respectively. Also racing at West Yellowstone was US XC Ski Team veteran Kris Freeman who was not named to the team but hopes to qualify for World Cup status.

Meanwhile Team Canada’s Alysson Marshall (AWCA-NST) and Heidi Widmer were all business taking charge in the women’s contest going 1-2 with Jennie Bender (Bridger Ski Foundation) out-lunging Chelsea Holmes (APU) for the final podium spot. Widmer was the fastest qualifer with Annie Pokorny (SMST2) second and Marshall 3rd.

“After scraping through the quarters and semis I managed a win! Thanks to my wax crew and the volunteers who dealt with a tough timing situation,” commented Marshall.

Due to timing system issues only brief unofficial results are available. Please check back later for more information and results.

Results

Women

1. Alysson Marshall (AWCA-NST)
2. Heidi Widmer (AWCA-NST)
3. Jennie Bender (Bridger Ski Foundation)

Full women’s results here.
Women’s brackets here.

Men

1. Dakota Black Horse Von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy)
2. Mads Stroemm (University of Colorado)
3. Rune Malo Odegaard (University of Colorado)

Full men’s results here.
Men’s brackets here.

Qualifications

Women

1. Heidi Widmer (AWCA-NST) 00:02:54
2. Annie Pokorny (SMST2) 00:02:55
3. Alysson Marshall (AWCA-NST) 00:02:5

Men

1. Benjamin Saxton (SMST2 – USST)    00:02:29
2. Dakota Black Horse Von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy)   00:02:29
3. Andy Shields (NDC THUNDER BAY) 00:02:31

Full Qualification results here.