Davos X-C: Swedes rule sprint podium; U.S. skier Newell 12th{mosimage}DAVOS, Switzerland - Andy Newell finished 12th Saturday in a World Cup sprint in Switzerland. Kikkan Randall was the top U.S. women's finisher, in 28th.

It was a double podium for Sweden as Bjoern Lind won the men's race and Anna Dahlberg won the women's race.

Newell, on his way to his first Olympics, has been hot this season. In January, he finished fourth in a German sprint, the best World Cup sprint result posted by a U.S. skier. The best previous U.S. sprint finish had been Newell's 11th in a freestyle technique sprint Dec. 11 at Sovereign Lake outside Vernon, B.C.

In sprints, the entire field skis over the course in a time trial. The top 30 skiers are broken into five heats of six with the top two skiers in each heat advancing; then two heats of five skiers, and the final foursome.

The Davos World Cup concludes Sunday with a 10 km classic race for the women and a 15 km classic tilt for the men.

- Courteys USSA News Bureau

Cross-country World Cup results
Davos, Switzerland - Feb. 4, 2006
Sprint
Men
1. Bjoern Lind, Sweden
2. Christian Zorzi, Italy
3. John Kristian Dahl, Norway
4. Loris Frasnelli, Italy
5. Boerre Naess, Norway
Also
12. Andy Newell, Shaftsbury, Vt.

Women
1. Anna Dahlberg, Sweden
2. Virpi Kuitunen, Finland
3. Chandra Crawford, Canada
4. Ella Gjoemle, Norway
5. Beckie Scott, Canada
Also
28. Kikkan Randall, Anchorage, Alaska
38. Wendy Wagner, Park City, Utah
53. Abigail Larson, Bozeman, Mont.