Cook and Camenisch Win Sprint Titles
Capitol Square Sprints - Day 2
Mon, Jan 16, 2006 - By Gusev, Chief of Competition
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin-native and future Olympian Chris Cook (Rhinelander, Wis.) out-dueled Atomic teammate and defending champion Zach Simons (Midway, Utah) to capture gold in the men’s 1-kilometer classic technique sprint event at the 2006 FIS SuperTour Capitol Square Sprints. Simons, who paired with Cook to win Saturday’s team sprint relay event, led for much of the race. But Cook accelerated on the long, gradual uphill to the finish, the stretch many races believe to be the hardest part of the course. “Zach put the hurt on me for the first three-quarters of the race,” said Cook. “I really had to pull in the home stretch to win. It was a tough day but a great race.”
On the women’s side, Switzerland’s Karin Camenisch took control of the race early and stretched it out to a convincing win. Natalja Naryshkina (Russia) led following the double-pole start, but Camenisch, the defending overall SuperTour sprints title-holder, quickly gained control. The race became for second between Naryshkina and Kate Whitcomb (Worthington, Mass.). Naryshkina had the silver medal until the final 50 yards, when she fell back and Whitcomb surged for second place. “Obviously Natalja and Karin are strong girls and great racers,” said Whitcomb. “I’m just feeling very happy to have sneaked between the two.”
Weather: 32° F, partly cloudy and windy
Snow Conditions: Fully transformed, machined old snow, dirty snow
2006 Capitol Square Sprints
Madison, WI – Jan. 15, 2006
Women’s SuperTour Sprint Classic Championship (1K)
1. Karin Camenisch (Switzerland)
2. Kate Whitcomb (Worthington, Mass.)
3. Natalja Naryshkina (Russia)
4. Erin Hood
5. Anna McLoon
6. Muriele Hueberli
7. Caitlin Compton
8. Johanna Winters
9. Maria Stuber
Men’s SuperTour Sprint Classic Championship (1K)
1. Chris Cook (Rhinelander, Wis.)
2. Zach Simons (Midway, Utah)
3. Kevin Hochtl (Vail, Colo.)
4. Brayton Osgood
5. Colin Rogers
6. Ben Cline
7. Jeff Ellis
8. Gordon Jewett
Quotations From Top SuperTour Athletes
Karin Camenisch: “Going in, I knew I would have to work hard to keep up with the others in the double-pole start. Then I planned to attack at the finish. But by the final stretch, I was in the lead and feeling strong, so it came together very well. It’s a good win for me as I look to defend my SuperTour overall sprint title.”
Kate Whitcomb: “I was actually really worried about the competition. Obviously Natalja and Karin are strong girls and great racers. I’m just feeling very happy to have sneaked between the two.”
Chris Cook: “Zach put the hurt on me for the first three-quarters of the race. He was very fast early. I really had to pull in the home stretch to win. It was a tough day but a great race.
Other Day One Results
Men’s Junior Olympic Qualification Classic
1. Santi Ocariz
2. Jesse Lang
3. Jason Kask
4. Alexander Ostrander
5. Ted Steiner
6. Scottie Scott
7. Mike McMahon
8. Brandan Ostroot
Women’s Junior Olympic Qualification Classic
1. Audrey Weber
2. Katie Bono
3. Kathleen DeWahl
4. Megan Holmes
5. Ingrid Fjeldheim
6. Kristen Monahan
7. Kelly Chaudoin
8. Katie Clark
For complete results: www.itiming.com
In addition to the FIS SuperTour sprint event, Sunday at the Capitol Square Sprints included qualifying events for the Junior Olympics, a winter/outdoor sports expo, community open ski with equipment rentals, a rail jam competition for snowboarders, citizen criterium races, and award ceremonies.