Junior & Cadet Individual Race – 2017 Skimo Worlds – Feb 25: Quinn Simmons 11th in cadets, Everyone gaining experience

Second day of racing at the 2017 Ski Mountaineering World Championships saw the future of skimo racing compete for medals today.
With sunny skies back on the menu, and racing on shorter courses than the seniors, it wasn’t any easier for the youth athletes – majority of their course was at lower elevations, thus, skiing on an even thinner snow-pack than seniors the day before.

» Click here for previous day – Senior & Espoir Individual races report

Individual Race – Men

In the junior category, Italian athletes completely swept the podium and once again are confirming that the depth of talented skimo athletes in their country has no limits:

1. Davide Magnini – ITA
2. Nicolo Canclini – ITA
3. Enrico Loss – ITA

In the cadets category, it was two Swiss athletes winning gold and silver, with third place going to Italy:

1. Aurelien Gay – SWI
2. Leo Besson – SWI
3. Alessandro Rossi – ITA

USA men:
USA had a single athlete – Ian Clarke – competing and gaining experience in the junior category. While Ian is a seasoned cyclist he loves to skimo in the winter. Today, he finished 23rd.
On a shorter course, there were 3 cadets representing USA today. Top result went to Quinn Simmons (also a cyclist in the summer) who crossed the line in 11th only 8min behind the winner. The other two cadets – Henry Hanes and Henry Boyd – finished 16th and 17th respectively.
» Full results – juniors and cadet

 

Individual Race – Women

In women’s junior and cadet races, the podiums were a lot more colourful with 5 countries dividing 6 medals.
Women’s junior podium was:

1. Giulia Murada – ITA
2. Ekaterine Osichkina – RUS
3. Julia Casanovas Cuairan – SPA

And here is the podium for the cadets category:

1. Justine Tonso – FRA
2. Samatha Bertolina – ITA
3. Caroline Ulrich – SUI

USA women:
USA had Morgan Fortin racing in the cadets and finishing 7th.
There were no North American female racers in the junior category.
» Full results – junior and cadet

Tomorrow

The teams race, the longest one of these championships, is scheduled for tomorrow. Italian and French teams will be the biggest favourites.
USA will have 4 men’s and 4 women’s teams with John Gaston / Max Taam having the best chances in men, while Janelle Smiley / Jessie Young team will try to sneak into the top 5.
Canada will have 3 men’s and 2 women’s teams on the start. Everyone is looking forward to a long day in the mountains.