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Cross Country Ski Championships August 17-25, Perisher Valley |
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Cross Country Ski Championships August 17-25, Perisher Valley |
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Race Results |
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August 17
Australian 21/42km ChampionshipsFor the third year in a row the "long distance" national championship events were held in conjuction with the Snowy Mountains Classic citizen's event. At least this year the races were in the same technique and started together, avoiding the lapping/starting difficulties theat were experienced in 2002. Unfortunately the course was not really in optimal condition, grooming needed to have started more than just a couple of days before. The track was uneven in places and had holes in it in others. But what can the race organisers do when they don't have the services of the groomers at their full disposal? Other complaints included insufficient signage and marshalls on the course intersections. Despite all this it was a great sunny day and there was some good competition.
Women 21km Freestyle
Not much to report from the start/finish view of a 21km loop, however some information has come from the athletes. Katie Calder managed to get away early while others were caught behind Camille Melvey. Belinda Phillips overtook Camille several times only to be passed back again. When Belinda finally managed to get clear, then it was Sarah Peters from Canada's turn to battle with Camille. Sarah was unable to get past and break away from Camille, and then in the end Camille made a break of her own to secrue third place. After the race Sarah said: "I'm not used to skiing with such agressive opposition before, I just couldn't get past her (Camille). I guess it was good experience for more loppet races." Katie won the 21km event in 61 minutes and 53 seconds, 2:48 ahead of Belinda and 3:53 ahead of Camille. The next Australian was Claire-Louse Brumley in 5th place, with Leanne Laajoki in 6th.This was Katie's first senior National title, the first Australian to knock off Camille Melvey in a distance Australian Championship event since...1996? Yep pretty sure the last time was in 1996 at Perisher Valley when Kerryn Rim was the first Aussie in the 5km freestyle behind Hanne Lahtinen of Finland.
Men 42km Freestyle
With Cameron Morton absent Big Benny Derrick was the outright favourite in this one. BBD skied away from the pack while still on the 10km loop, with Chris Darlington making the chase by himself. A large pack for third place gradually whittled itself down to Nick Almoukov and Anthony Evans. At the 21km mark Ben had a lead of about 1:15 on Darlo, with Nick and Ant about 2:00 back and Matt O'Rourke another 30 seconds or so in 5th. Surprisingly Rob Curtis in 6th place was well off the pace, which he explained afterwards was partly due to slow skis. When the skiers looped around again with 10km to go, Darlo had actually closed the gap down to about a minute. Okay Big Benny is probably cruising now thought the crowd, but later reports revealed that Darlo was cranking and BBD got the shock of his life with about 5km to go when he looked over his shoulder to see Darlo akmost on his tail. Physically yelling at himself Ben dug deep over the remaining km and managed to get the gap back up to 58 seconds, aided by Darlo's legs strarting to cramp. A fantastic ski however from the young fella (young is always relative) to score a result under 1% and secure an A-Team qualification for the first time. Ant finally broke away from Nick just before the top of the last hill to put his name on third place. Matt comfortably held on to his 5th place, also in a solid sub 5% time.
August 23
Australian 10/15km ChampionshipsDespite weather forecasts to the contrary conditions were just about perfect. Skiers from Korea, Canada, Norway, Slovenia, Germany and the USA took part over the three days of competition, with the Koreans showing the best form.
Women 10km Classic
Waxing conditions were a little tricky for the women, with hard icy tracks out the back and softening snow over the top. Chun Ja Lee from Koread and Claire-Louise Brumley seemed to jag it best, the latter using a combination of Toko Orange and Multi-Viola. After one 5km lap Katie Calder was the best of the Australians, 5 seconds ahead of Sarah Peters from Canada and 15 seconds clear of Camille Melvey. However Chun Ja was in a class of her own, starting last and sweeping through the entire field to win in 31:14. Katie put another 10 seconds into Sarah to take second overall and her second Australian title, 2:45 behind Chun Ja. Ouch, not a good day for FIS points. Claire-Louise finishing strong to be second Australian just 4 seconds ahead of Camille, the latter losing time rapidly towards the end. Belinda Phillips had an off day, wel off the pace in 6th place, with Leanne Laajoki 7th with very bad grip (with wax advice from the national coach no less).Men 15km Classic
Another smoking Korean by the name of Byung Joo Park held a small lead 5km into the men's 15km, 10 seconds up on Ben Derrick with Ben Sim in third place and Cameron Morton in 4th. The next lap around Park's lead was over 30 seconds, and BBD was hot on the heels of Simbo from starting 30seconds behind. But while Park went on to extend his lead to 55 seconds at the finish, Simbo took it right back up to BBD on the hills, and it was all BBD could do to get back in front and cross the line first. So the top three placings Park, Derrick, Sim. Cam had space to himself in 4th place but the action was all happening with places 5-9. After 10km just 4 seconds seperated Andrew Mock, Rob Curtis, Matt O'Rourke, Chris Darlington, and Paul Murray. Mocky had the best finish from this group, claiming 5th, then there was nothing between the next three; 1.6 seconds from Paul in 6th to Rob in 7th, and 1 second further to Darlo in 8th. Matt O was not so happy with his 9th place, however percentages behind BBD were good for all these guys and good enough for Matt to qualify for a chockers A-Team (Darlo already there, and also BBD, Cam, and Ben Sim after this race).
August 24
Australian Sprint ChampionshipsA nice fast course was set for the sprint with a long start/finish straight down on the big open area between the Nordic Shelter and the church. About 850m long, most of the track was wide enough for overtaking, excepting a couple of short bottlenecks. The only problems with the course (as will become apparent later) was a flying corner (let's call it "the church corner")at the end of the start straight that was only two skiers wide, and then a tight strip (for want of a better nane, "the bridge") about 50m after that.
Women Sprint
Esther Bottomley scorched the women's field in the time trial, gaining 3.8 seconds on second fastest qualifier Katie Calder and 5.5 seconds on Chun Ja Lee. Rounding out the top 8 were Torill Pedersen from Norway, Camille Melvey, Sarah Peters, Sally Cunningham, and Carla Zilstra-Evans from Holland (okay Carla and Anthony Evans are married but we can't claim her as Australian yet). With only 11 starters the competition went straight to the semi-finals.First Semi-final. Esther came flying out of the start and lead round the church corner ahead of Camille, Torill, and Carla. Then it all went pair-shaped as Torill and Camille's skis connected on the bridge and Camille bit the snow. Esther managed to go clear as others scrambled behind, and then the battle for second place was on between Carla and Torill. Carla gave it a red-hot go up the finish straight, however Torill had been practising her lunges and won through right on the line.
Second Semi-final. Katie nabbed the early lead but Chun Ja took over out the back. Sally also got a good start, but then fell back to third place ahead of Sarah. Chun Ja threatened to break away, but Katie just held on, and coming up to the line it was hard to pick a winner. Katie by a meercat's whisker, and both through to the final.
A-Final. Esther, Katie, Chun Ja and Torill in order of ranking. Esther jumped straight to the front again, and had maybe 5m on the field coming out of the church corner. Unfortunately Katie caught a ski while still in the lanes, and took a dive to the collective groan of the crowd. To top off the occasion her boot came undone as well, and by the time she was up and going again the others were long gone. Esther meanwhile retained her break, and Chun Ja in second place never managed to get back in contact. In the straight Esther still had 10-15m, and comfortably won her third Australian Sprint title. Chun Ja second, Torill third, and the unlucky Katie 4th, now having fallen in the last two national sprint finals.
Men Sprint
A very competitive men's qualifying round with a lot of skiers focussing on sprints this year and only 16 spots in the finals. Paul Murray cranked out the fastest time, but only 0.7 of a second ahead of Byung Joo Park from Korea. There was a gap of 3.1 seconds back to Duane Butcher in third, and then it was for young and old, 1.6 seconds from 3rd to 8th, and 1.8 seconds from 9th to 18th. Notable skiers to miss the cut included (amongst others) national team members Chris Darlington, Matt O'Rourke, Rob Curtis, and Andrew Wynd, and also sprint finalist from 2000 Nick Almoukov.First 1/4 Final. Containing three former A-finalists: Paul Murray, Cameron Morton, and Dan van der Ploeg, and Mario Felgenhauer from Germany. Paul wasn't holding back, taking the lead right from the start and breaking away out the back. Dan lead Cam until the far corner, then let him through on the inside (what were you thinking Dan?). It was just a bit too fast for Mario. Into the straight with Paul well clear, and Cam looked to have second in his pocket. Dan gave himself every chance with a good lunge across the line, but Cam held on by about 10cm according to the video camera.
Second 1/4 Final. Some skiers coming out of retirement here, with Anthony Evans (5th qualifier), Gregor McLennan and Tim Retchford backing themselves in, and Nick Grimmer (4th qualifier) representing the new sprinters. Nick got out in front ont the church corner, while chaos reigned behind. Gregor on the right-hand lane swerved slightly left to avoid the cone on the inside of the corner, at the same time as Tim was trying to come around Anthony on the outside. The result: Anthony and Tim's skis collided and they both went down, handing the race on a platter to Nick and Gregor. What happened after the race probably shouldn't ahve happened, but this is how it went. One of the jury members thought that Gregor caused the incident, and suggested he should be disqualified. This meant that Anthony would go through, as he finished third, however Tim had backed off in the straight because he thought it was all over red rover. After much debate it was decided to have a re-run with just Gregor, Ant, and Tim before the semi-finals - perhaps not the ideal solution because the winner would have the disadvantage of extra race in his legs before the semi-final. But so it was, and the drama was not over yet. Anthony led into the straight a few metres ahead of Tim and Gregor, and then tripped himself up. Excited at this opportunity Tim tripped himself up as well. And so Gregor went through to the semis afterall, but a little more buggered.
[Afternote - looking at video footage that evening it wasn't obviously anyone's fault, just one of those accidents that happen when three people are going head to head into a corner and no-one backs down.]
Third 1/4 Final. After all the action of the previous final this was a bit of an anti-climax. Duane Butcher got away in front, Ben Derrick securing his second place out the back of the course, and Gaber Lah from Slovenia and Ronan Magaharan fighting it out for 3rd and 4th. Actually maybe it wasn't as simple as that, something might have happened to Ronan but that'll do for the moment.
Fourth 1/4 Final. Only three skiers contested this final; Byung Joo Park from Korea, Ben Sim, and Leon Spiller. The absent skier was Andrew Mock (10th qualifier), who, discontent with knocking out other qualifiers, decided to rub it in their noses by deigning not to start. Okay, maybe he had been sick during the week and wanted to save himself for the 10km the next day, but this makes it sound more malicious. Anyway Leon fought hard but couldn't match the pace of Byung Joo and Simbo, the Korean leading comfortably to the line.
First Semi-Final. A tough ask for a tired Gregor up against Paul, Cam, and Nick Grimmer. But he started very impressively and hung in there for a few hundred metres after the others passed him. Paul went off the front again, and Cam again put himself in the position of leading a younger guy (Nick) into the straight. Nick was pulling him in just like Dan, but the line came too quickly and Cam went through to the final with Paul.
Second Semi-Final. Duane made a good start but Byung Joo took over the lead out the back of the course. BBD took up the rear behind Duane and Simbo. Now pretty sure it was Simbo in front coming down towards the final corner, however Duane had fast skis that pulled him back up and with speed into the straight. It was close with lots of cheering over the last 50m, but Duane came out on top, into the final along with Byung Joo.
A-Final. The suspense is killing. Not much in out out of the start, and Paul and Byung Joo went side by side over the bridge with Duane and Cam on their tails. Byung Joo went to the front, but Paul wasn't giving him an inch up the hill out the back. A gap appeared back to Duane, who managed to ski away from Cam at the same time. Byung Joo got a small break after rounding the far corner, and held it all the way into the finish straight, but Paul wasn't giving in without a fight. Up the straight and the gap was slowly closing, but it didn't seem to be quickly enough. 10 metres before the line and it seemed certain to be the Korean's victory. Then Paul pulled out a lunge reminiscent of Bjorn Lind in the Olympic sprint semi-final, gained a heap of ground right on the line and crashed over in a heap. Was it enough? One side of the course thought, Byung Joo, the other Paul. However the judges were adament it was Paul, and after much deliberation and consulting the video, Paul came out with his third national sprint title. Have a look for youself below. Duane skied well to take third, Cameron fourth for the second year in a row but at least he didn't fall this time.
Paul Murray (closest to camera) and Byung Joo Park
Australian Sprint A-Final, Perisher Valley, August 2002
August 25
Australian 5/10km ChampionshipsWomen 5km Freestyle
Wait until next week, no time to write more until after the Hoppet, but it was a close one between Katie and Chun Ja.Men 10km Freestyle
Ditto above except replace with Ben Sim and Byung Joo.
XC is the official website of the Skiing Australia Cross Country Committee. It is produced with the assistance of the Australian Sports Commission, and the Kangaroo Hoppet. The editor can be contacted via info@hoppet.com.au
