Russians win opening men's and women's races at World Juniors

Russians win opening men’s and women’s races at World Juniors{mosimage}USSA — Overnight rains softened the track Tuesday for the opening day of racing at the FIS Nordic World Junior Championships as Russians won both the men’s 30km and women’s 15km classical technique mass starts.

The top U.S. result came from Lindsey Weier (Mahtomedi, MN; Northern Michigan U./U.S. Development Team), who was 19th in the women’s race.

Anatoly Neuchesov of Russia won the men’s race in 1:24.32.7, 11.6 seconds ahead of Swiss Curdin Perl. The top American was Mike Sinnott (Sun Valley, ID; Dartmouth College), who finished 58th. Temperatures were in the mid-30s with the rain continuing through both races.

Earlier, in the women’s race, Irina Artemova led from start to finish to win in 46:12.6 with Germany’s Antje Dittrich second (46:23.4). Weier’s time was 48:56.6.

The next cross-country races at World Juniors are Thursday, men’s 10km freestyle and women’s 5km. They’ll run freestyle sprints Saturday and conclude the championships Sunday with relays.

FIS Nordic World Junior Championships
Stryn, Norway
February 3, 2004
Mass-start, classic technique races
Men’s 30km
1. Anatoly Neuchesov, Russia, 1:24.32.7
2. Curdin Perl, Switzerland, 1:24.44.3
3. Franz Goering, Germany, 1:25.54.5
4. Alexey Poltaranin, Kazakhstan, 1:26.16.0
5. Steve Ullmann, Germany, 1:26.23.1
Also:
58. Mike Sinnott, Sun Valley, Idaho, Dartmouth College, 1:37.16.5
59. Casey Simons, Park City, Utah, University of Utah, 1:38.10.1
61. Bret Bedard, Cheshire, Mass., Stratton Mountain School, 1:39.40.0
68. Tim Damrow, St. Paul, Minn., Saukko Ski Club/University of Colorado, 1:43.58.5

Women’s 15km
1. Irina Artemova, Russia, 46:12.6
2. Antje Dittrich, Germany, 46:23.4
3. Marion Ruf, Germany, 46:28.3
4. Lenka Munclingerova, Czech Republic, 46:36.7
5. Betty-Ann Nilsen, Norway, 46:43.6
Also:
19. Lindsey Weier, Mahtomedi, Minn., Northern Michigan U./U.S. Development Team
29. Lindsay Williams, Hastings, Minn., Northern Michigan, 49:44.5
37. Morgan Smyth, Vernon, Vt., Northern Michigan, 50:19.4
38. Alison Crocker, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Dartmouth College, 50:21.2