French, US Nordic skiers continue form
14.02.2015Wins for France’s Benjamin Daviet and US teammates Andrew Soule and Oksana Masters at World Cup in Asahikawa, Japan.
France's Benjamin Daviet was part of the winning cross-country open relay team that beat champions Russia at Cable 2015.
© • James Netz Photography
The USA’s Andrew Soule, fresh from his historic haul of five medals from his home World Championships, was victorious in the men’s classic short distance sitting.
A series of medallists from the 2015 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships continued their cross-country form in Asahikawa, Japan, on Saturday (14 February), at the penultimate World Cup of the 2014-15 season.
In the men’s classic middle distance standing, France’s Benjamin Daviet (27:59.0) beat Russian world champion Vladislav Lekomtcev (28:11.0) with a solid performance that followed on from his sprint and long distance silvers from the Worlds in Cable, Wisconsin, USA. Canada’s Mark Arendz (28:47.5) was third.
Russia’s Ekaterina Rumyantseva (16:28.9) took the win in the women’s field under partly cloudy skies. Canada’s Brittany Hudak (16:53.6), having just missed out on a podium at the World Championships, was second with Yurika Abe (18:24.0) taking the last podium place for the hosts.
The USA’s Andrew Soule, fresh from his historic haul of five medals from his home World Championships, was victorious in the men’s classic short distance sitting.
Soule (15:33.2) led Russian Alexey Bychenok (15:34.9) and teammate Dan Cnossen (15:35.2) to take his first World Cup win in two years.
The women’s equivalent featured another convincing US win, this time for Oksana Masters (8:30.4). Norway’s sprint Paralympic champion Mariann Marthinsen (8:42.0) was second over one lap whilst Russian Natalia Kocherova (8:59.8) completed the podium.
Canada’s Brian McKeever (28:13.9) was once again in astonishing form in the men’s classic middle distance visually impaired, dominating over 10km with guide Graham Nishikawa.
Norway’s Eirik Bye (31:35.2), guided by Kristian Myhre Hellerud, sealed his first career World podium in second as France’s Anthony Chalencon (32:25.2) with guide Lucas Dupperex was third.
Competition continues in Asahikawa on Sunday (15 February) with sprint races.
The 2015 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup Finals take place in Surnadal, Norway, from 16-22 March.
