APU's Valaas top American in opener

Published: November 26th, 2009 12:07 AM
Last Modified: November 26th, 2009 12:08 AM

Laura Valaas of the Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center and her coach, Holly Brooks, were the top American finishers Wednesday when the SuperTour domestic ski race series kicked off in West Yellowstone, Mont., with a sprint. Valaas finished second in 4 minutes, 57.8 seconds, more than five seconds behind Dasha Gaiazova of the Canadian National Team. Brooks was fourth, with another Canadian National Team skier, Shayla Swanson, wedged between them.

Story tools

0 comments

Font size : A | A | A

tool goes here

In the men's race, won by American Garrott Kuzzy, APU skier Anders Haugen was the top Alaskan in seventh. His time of 4:09.19 was some five seconds behind Kuzzy. Teammates Brent Knight, who finished ninth, and Mark Iverson joined Haugen in the Top 10.

Dozens of Alaskans were among the big field of 243 skiers.

SuperTour Sprint

Wednesday At West Yellowstone, Mont.

Men's Top 10 -- 1) Garrott Kuzzy, Central Cross Country, 4:04.11; 2) Simi Hamilton, Sun Valley, 4:05.39; 3) Sean Crooks, Canada, 4:05.89; 4) Drew Goldsack, Canada, 4:05.97; 5) Reid Pletcher, 4:06:20; 6) Stefan Kuhn, Canada, 4:06:70; 7) Anders Haugen, APU, 4:09.19; 8) Sylvan Ellefson, Vail, 4:10.06; 9) Brent Knight, APU, 4:10.26; 10) Mark Iverson, APU, 4:10.61.

Other Alaskans -- 11) David Norris, Fischer, 4:11:27; 13) Mike Hinckley, APU, 4:12.54; 14) Reese Hanneman, FAST, 4:12.91; 17) Tyson Flaharty, Fairbanks Ski Team, 4:15.64; 25) James Southam, APU, 4:20.66; 27) Bart Dengel, APU, 4:21:76; 37) Eric Packer, Dartmouth, 4:25:80; 38) Patrick O'Brien, Dartmouth, 4:26.70; 53) Zach Violett, XC-Oregon, 4:34:15.

Women's Top 10 -- 1) Dasha Gaiazova, Canada, 4:52.39; 2) Laura Valaas, APU, 4:57.80; 3) Shayla Swanson, Canada, 4:59.28; 4) Holly Brooks, APU, 4:59.98; 5) Madeleine Williams, Canada, 5:00.72; 6) Ida Sargent, Craftsbury, 5:01.34; 7) Becca Rorabaugh, APU, 5:03.05; 8) Rosie Brennan, Dartmouth, 5:04.38; 9) Rebecca Dussault, CXC, 5:05.64; 10) Sadie Bjornsen, Methow, 5:06.04.

Other Alaskans -- 21) Katie Ronsse, APU, 5:14.80; 22) Taz Mannix, APU, 5:15.92; 25) Jamie Bronga, UAA, 5:17.42; 35) Kate Fitzgerald, APU, 5:26.24; 38) Kasandra Rice, APU, 5:26.66; 39) Kate Arduser, APU, 5:26.66.