Disabled WC XC: Klebl, Cook podium
Paralympian and U.S. Disabled Ski Team athlete Chris Klebl recorded his fourth consecutive World Cup cross-country podium Sunday, finishing second a men’s middle-distance race in Germany.
NESSELWANG, Germany — Paralympian and U.S. Disabled Ski Team athlete Chris Klebl recorded his fourth consecutive World Cup cross-country podium Sunday, finishing second a men’s middle-distance race in Germany.
The finish caps a double-podium weekend for Klebl as he also finished second on Saturday in a knockout sprint, where teammate Steve Cook was third. Cook, a triple-medalist from the 2006 Paralympics, went on to win Sunday’s 8.5-kilometer race for standing skiers.
“I’m very happy with the results and am glad to see that the changes that I made in my training in the past nine months are paying off,” said Klebl. “It’s always a gamble trying new things after devoting huge hours during the preparation period from May to November and really not knowing until the first couple of races are over whether or not the changes were right. Results are really the only measuring stick.”
Klebl was just back of sprint winner Vladimir Kiselev of Russia on Saturday. He then went on to post a time of 30 minutes, 26.3 seconds on Sunday, just under a minute shy of Irek Zaripov, also of Russia, who also won the opening distance race of the season in Finland. Fellow American teammate Greg Mallory was eighth in the sprint and 11th on Sunday with Sean Halsted 11th and 13th over the two days of racing.
For the standing men, the sprint saw a blistering pace set by Norwegian winner Kjartan Haugen, while Cook narrowly missed second on Saturday. He bounced back on Sunday to post the fastest time of the day, crushing the 8.5 km course in 21:41.4, a full 10 seconds over second place finisher Kirill Mikhaylov of Russia.
On the women’s side, Kelly Underkofler was fifth and eighth on the weekend.
“Fortunately the rain and warm temperatures of the last week have moved on and we are getting cold temps and some snow so the next races should be better,” he added. “We have another four races here in Germany before we head home in a week so everyone is trying to stay rested and focused.”
The team will remain in Germany for two short distance races set for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Disabled cross-country World Cup
Nesselwang, Germany — Jan. 20, 2007
Men’s sprint — sit-ski
1. Vladimir Kiselev, Russia
2. Chris Klebl, Heber City, Utah
3. Bruno Huber, Switzerland
4. Georges Bettega, France
5. Ruedi Weber, Switzerland
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8. Greg Mallory, Portland, Ore.
11. Sean Halsted, Gig Harbor, Wash.
Men’s sprint — standing
1. Kjartan Jaugen, Norway
2. Alfis Makamedinov, Russia
3. Steve Cook, Salt Lake City, Utah
4. Iikka Toumisto, Finland
5. Konstantin Yanchuk, Russai
Women’s sprint — sit-ski
1. Luidmila Valchok, Belarus
2. Shauna White, Canada
3. Maria Iovleva, Russia
4. Irina Polyakova, Russia
5. Barbara Rytz, Czech Republic
Women’s sprint — standing
1. Alena Gorbunova, Russia
2. Oleksandra Kononova, Ukraine
3. Maija Loytynoja, Finland
4. Yuliya Batenkova, Ukraine
5. Kelly Underkofler, St. Paul, Minn.
Jan. 21, 2007
Men’s 8 km — sit-ski
1. Irek Zaipov, Russia, 29:26.4
2. Chris Klebl, Heber City, Utah, 30:26.3
3. Georges Bettega, France, 30:36.9
4. Alain Marguerettaz, France, 31:30.2
5. Aliaks Davidovich, Belarus, 31:34.9
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11. Greg Mallory, Portland, Ore., 34:11.5
13. Sean Halsted, Gig Harbor, Wash., 36:12.9
Men’s 8.5 km — standing
1. Steve Cook, Salt Lake City, Utah, 21:47.4
2. Kirill Mikhaylov, Russia, 21:51.6
3. Kjartan Haugen, Norway, 21:52.6
4. Nils-Erik Ulset, Norway, 22:10.9
5. Iikka Tuomisto, Finland, 22:55.0
Women’s 4 km — sit-ski
1. Luidmila Valchok, Belarus, 16:50.0
2. Irina Polyakova, Russia, 17:16.8
3. Shauna White, Canada, 17:23.7
4. Nadiya Stefurak, Ukraine, 23:53.2
5. Barbara Rytz, Switzerland, 24:04.4
Women’s 7 km — standing
1. Oleksandra Kononova, Ukraine, 22:01.9
2. Katarzyna Rogowiec, Poland, 22:23.5
3. Alena Gorbunova, Russia, 22:35.0
4. Yuliya Batenkova, Ukraine, 22:58.7
5. Maija Loytynoja, Finland, 23:35.2
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8. Kelly Underkofler, St. Paul, Minn., 26:17.7
About the Author: Pete Rugh
