Soule’s triple delight at cross-country World Cup

The USA’s Andrew Soule continued his fantastic run of form at the 2015 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup on Tuesday (17 February), with his third win in as many races in Asahikawa, Japan, in classic cross-country long distance sitting.

US Army veteran and recent World Championships bronze medallist Soule (45:10.2) headed a strong field of finishers, including Canada’s Chris Klebl (45:16.3) in second and his teammate Daniel Cnossen (45:40.8) in third.

In sunny conditions just above freezing, Norway’s Mariann Marthinsen (40:39.2) reclaimed the top of the podium, collecting her first win of the competition in the women’s sitting.

Marthinsen beat Soule’s compatriot Oksana Masters (41:14.3), who has so far had the winning edge in Asahikawa, into second. Russian Natalia Kocherova (42:49.8) completed the top three.

Russian Vladislav Lekomtcev (59:31.2) picked up his second win in the men’s standing, leading world champion teammate Rushan Minnegulov (1:00:23.5) and Japan’s Yoshishiro Nitta (1:00:27.3) onto the podium.

Canadian Brittany Hudak (57:04.2) also collected her second win of the competition in the women’s standing. Yurika Abe (1:01:20.4) provided more delight for the home crowds with her latest podium. World Championships bronze medallist Russian Ekaterina Rumyantseva (1:02:27.0) was third.

Hudak’s reigning world and Paralympic champion compatriot Brian McKeever (1:00:15.5) demonstrated his long distance prowess once again with guide Graham Nishikawa in the men’s visually impaired.

Norwegian Eirik Bye (1:05:33.0), guided by KM Hellerud, sealed valuable World Cup points in second, leading Japan’s Hiroshi Kato (1:25:31.0) and guide Y Katsutoshi into third.

Races continue on Wednesday (18 February) with the sprint freestyle.

Full results are available at the IPC Nordic Skiing website.

The 2015 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup calendar concludes with biathlon and cross-country finals in Surnadal, Norway, from 16-22 March.