US qualifies 4 in Davos sprint

Sophie Caldwell at the Davos World Cup sprint race. GEPA

DAVOS, Switzerland – The story of Sunday’s U.S. Cross-Country Ski Team begins with improvement and ends with Norway. In the first three World Cup weekends, it was easy to focus on the strength of the Norwegian team – it has won more podium positions than every other country combined since the competitive year began.

In the freestyle sprint at Davos, Norway swept the men’s podium and took first through fifth in the women’s event in a display of winning so dominant, one Eurosport commentator remarked that the results looked like the Norwegian championships.  The U.S. team, however, continued to close the gap.

“This was a really great day for Sophie Caldwell,” said head coach Chris Grover. “And while a lot of countries are scratching their heads on how to close the gap to Norway, we’re happy with our improvement for now.”

Caldwell, who skied into the heats of a World Cup sprint for the first time this year following an elbow injury in late summer agreed.

“My goal for the weekend was to improve on last weekend. So I was thrilled to not only improve, but to make it into the heats,” acknowledged Caldwell. “I know it’s going to take some time to get back to 100 percent after being injured, so I’m trying to be realistic and take it one step at a time. My heat was tough and I got pretty tired, but I was extremely happy just be there in the first place.”

Caldwell, who owns the strongest finish from an American woman at an Olympic Games, has her eye set on the World Championships in Falun. For now, the man-made loops of Davos will become familiar for her and the rest of the U.S. squad as the World Cup circuit will remain in the area. A lack of snow has forced a move of next week’s La Clusaz World Cup event back to Davos for the second straight weekend. This is good news for Ida Sargent.

“Today was my best skate sprint qualification ever and the first time I had qualified here in Davos so it was great to see those improvements. I obviously wanted to advance out of the quarters but it was fun being in the mix. We have another sprint here next week so I’m looking forward to another go!” exclaimed Sargent.

Grover echoed the love for Davos, “This is a home away from home and to have Ida and Andy Newell on form this weekend is very encouraging. While it was disappointing for Sadie to miss out by such a small amount and while Kikkan is not quite back to herself, we are heading in the right direction. We have athletes that are starting to come back a bit. I think we’ll be able to make a step forward a week from today.”

The changes in next week’s format and the return to the quick surface of Davos’ man-made loops are good news for American Simi Hamilton, who sat out this week with a cold.

Until then, the best skiers in the world are leaving very little room at the top.  The American skiers have faced a few setbacks in the form of illness and injury but luck can change quickly on the World Cup as fortune favors the bold and perseverant.

Release courtesy of USSA