Team Sprint Debuts Tuesday

2006 Toino Olympics

Mon, Feb  13, 2006 - By US Ski Team

PRAGELATO, Italy (Feb. 13) - For the first time in Olympic history, cross country skiers will compete in the Team Sprint, to be held Tue., Feb. 14 in Pragelato.

Competing for the U.S. men will be Chris Cook (Rhinelander, WI) and Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT). On the women's side, Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK) and Wendy Wagner (Park City, UT) will ski.

The race is run completely in classic style and features a mass start. The field is divided into two groups, A and B, for the start.

Each competitor will ski three laps (1.4km per lap for the men, 1.2km per lap for the women). After completing a first lap, skiers tag their partner for the next lap. They alternate laps until six are completed.

The top-five teams from each group, according to time, will advance to the finals and race again.

Top competition for the U.S. includes Norway, Sweden, Germany and Russia.