Salomon Nordic System Athletes Continue to Win at Sovereing Lakes, BC

NST/Salomon's Phil Widmer (far lane) lunges for the line against Garrot Kuzzy (USST) in the "A" Finals of the Teck Sprint in Sovereign Lake

Dec 13, 2009 - Canadians Phil Widmer and Dasha Gaiazova Strike Gold at Teck Sprint Series in British Columbia http://www.cccski.com/main.asp?cmd=doc&ID=6036&lan=0

VERNON, B.C.—Canadian athletes defended home snow by winning double gold in the opening Teck Sprint Series race of the Haywood NorAm event taking place near Vernon, B.C. on Sunday.
Phil Widmer and Dasha Gaiazova, both of Banff, Alta., bolted their way around the 1.1-kilometre skate-sprint track at the picturesque Sovereign Lake Nordic Ski Club to win gold in both the men’s and women’s races.


The 26-year-old Widmer, who is one of the country’s strongest sprint athletes and competed at the 2006 Olympics, was first out of the gate in the qualification round and fought his way through the challenging heats to hold off the hard-charging Americans.

“It was a good day for me despite the qualifying round not going well for the team as a whole, but to get two Canadians on the podium is great,” said Widmer. “My energy was good today. I was nervous after not qualifying well but things got better in the first heat. I gained confidence as I went along and it was great to get Garrott at the line. I have a lot of respect for him.”

Gaiazova fought off Americans Holly Brooks (CXC/Salomon) who grabbed the silver medal, while Katie Ronsse (Atomic) powered her way to the bronze.

COMPLETE NORAM RESULTS: Qualifying ResultsFinal Results

Top-5 Women’s Results:
1. Dasha Gaiazova, Banff, Alta.

2. Holly Brooks, USA (Salomon)

3. Katie Ronsse, USA (Atomic)

4. Kasandra Rice, USA

5. Rebecca Dussault, USA (Salomon)

Top-5 Men’s Results:
1. Phil Widmer, Banff, Alta., CAN (Salomon)

2. Garrott Kuzzy, USA (Salomon)

3. Sean Crooks, Thunder Bay, Ont., CAN (Atomic)

4. Mark Iverson, USA

5. Leif Orin Zimmermann, USA

Top 3 Junior Men's Results:
1. Erik Fagerstrom, SVFUS, USA

2. Steffan Lloyd, Nakkertok, CAN (Salomon)

3. Etienne Richard, CNEPH, Can (Atomic)

Top 3 Junior Women's Results:
1. Dahria Beatty, Whitehorse, CAN (Salomon boots/bindings)
2. Janelle Greer, Whitehorse, CAN (Salomon boots/bindings)

3. Alysson Cummings, Sovereign Lakes Nordic, CAN (Salomon boots/bindings)