If Canmore cross-country ski fans learned anything this weekend, it was this: beware the Swiss sprinters.
Top 10 World Cup cross-country ski sprinter Eligius Tambornino dominated the field on Saturday (Dec. 1) during the Haywood NorAm sprint, as he and fellow countrymen Jovian Hediger, Christoph Elgenmann and Jori Kindschi blasted their way to the top four men’s sprinting spots.
Banff’s Phil Widmer was the top Canadian, finishing fifth in the final, ahead of Canmore’s Jesse Cockney. Russell Kennedy won the B final.
“It was a very great feeling today. I had fast skis and my shape was good. It was a good preparation for Quebec. It was perfect preparation,” Tambornino said.
The Swiss skier was dominant all day, winning the final by a whopping eight seconds after leading the entire race.
Widmer will be a part of Canada’s contingent in Quebec, and could earn a spot on the team sprint. A veteran World Cup racer, Widmer was happy with his day.
“I definitely wanted to be on the podium. I’m still digesting some training, but overall I’m very happy going into the World Cups.”
Having pre-qualified for the World Cup races, Widmer wanted to do some reconaissance work on the day.
“The biggest thing for me was getting to know the course. It’s a huge opportunity to race on it before the World Cup and now I have a little knowledge in my back pocket.
“It’s a lot of work at the start and a fast finish. You have to play to your strengths. If your strength is the finishing kick, you have to be patient and go that way, but if you’re feeling fit on the day, you have to try and blow it open. I tried to be more strategic today, pace myself and use my finishing kick to gain positions.”
Swiss racer Bettina Gruber was the fastest female sprinter, finishing well ahead of the pack. Gruber said Canmore has a tough course, but she stuck to her strategy.
“I always try to lead from the start and try and control it. That works pretty well,” Gruber said.
Andrea Dupont was the fastest Canadian, finishing second in the A final, ahead of Alberta World Cup Academy racer Kate Brennan.
“It’s a tough course, but it’s really a tactical one. You have to make your moves when it counts and sit back otherwise, or you’re going to pool with lactaid and hurt,” Dupont said.
Dupont prepped a lot on the course leading up to the event and just wanted to reach top nine, but is now in a good spot leading up to the World Cup races in Quebec and Canmore.
“It should be fun. It will be another challenge with different goals,” Dupont said.
Biathlete Sarah Beaudry won the junior women’s race, followed by Erin Yungblut and Brittany Evans.
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