Hoffman takes silver in u-23 Champs 15k-c

Noah Hoffmann earned the first U.S. medal in cross country world junior championship competition since 2008 with the silver medal at the U-23 Games in Erzurum, Turkey today (Feb. 23). Russian Evgeniy Belov took his second medal of the championships (and fourth of his career) capturing gold in the men’s 15k-classic. Bronze went to German Hannes Dotzler.

Liz Stephen won a bronze medal in 2008.

The battle was for second place with Belov powering past early leader Dotlzer at the 10k mark and building to a 25.4 second lead at the finish. Dotzler and Hoffman were fighting it out most of the distance with Hoffman getting the speed edge over the last 5k and holding off the German by 2.6 seconds.

Dotzler said he was taking antibiotics for an ear problem, but said “Fortunately I did not need my ear for racing.” He said the high altitude of the race course was problematic. “I wanted to go slowly at the beginning, but then I was in the lead after 5k. I was probably too fast in the early stages of the race but I came to the finish for bronze and I am happy with that.”

Hoffman said it had been a fun race, that he felt “really good,” and agreed that Belov was “very fast.” He said, “It’s my fifth time at the Junior/U23 Championships and I am happy for the podium.”

Belov said he, too, had planned to start slowly and build the pace. “I had excellent skis. Our waxing team did a great job. I am in great shape these days and happy to be fighting for medals both in sprint and in distance competitions.

The German team was strongest on the day. Behind Dotzler’s third Tim Tscharnke was fifth and Thomas Bing sixth.

Next best US finisher was Erik Bjornsen in 37th with Eric Packer 39th and Ryan Scott 54th. The Canadians had Graeme Killick in 19th, David Greer 36th, Jesse Cockney 47th and Chris Hamilton 52nd.

The Russian women made it a double victory for the second time of this championship with Mariya Guschina posting a 26.7 second margin over teammate Polina Medvedeva in the 10k-c. Norway’s Martine Ek Hagen just out legged Emma Wiken for third place winning by .04 in a final sprint. American Sadie Bjornsen challenged but finished fifth on the day.

Guschina said she was unsure of why she had been so good on the day, then listed off the reasons. “I am good at distance and I like classical technique. This was my most favorite race today. … We were training at high altitiude in Bulgaria so I’m quite well prepared for Erzurum. … There is a great team spirit in our squad. Everybody is working very hard: Coaches, service as well as athletes are trying their best.”

She said a plan to build pace throughout the race paid off. It was in the second of three five k loops she fired ahead of the pack to stay.

Medvedeva said she was not disappointed with the silver. “This is my first medal at the Junior/U23 World Ski Championships,” she said. “It was a tough fight with (Guschina) from the beginning of the competition. It feels great to be on the podium with her. We share our big day together.”

Hagen said she had never competed at so high an elevation before and that a second lap mistake nearly cost her the medal. “I would have been very disappointed.”

Rebecca Rorabaugh finished a respectable 29th as the only other US finisher. Canada had Emily Nishokawa in 17th, Marlis Kromm 35th, Annika Hicks 37th and Heidi Widmer 40th.

Gepa photo of Hoffman from earlier this season.

Erzurum (TUR)

U23
Men’s 15 km C

Erzurum (TUR)

U23
Ladies’ 10 km C