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Aspenite wins World Cup sprint

The Associated Press
Aspen's Simi Hamilton celebrates his victory Tuesday in the third stage of the Tour de Ski cross country rxe in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.
Arno Balzarini/AP | KEYSTONE

LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland — American cross country skier Simeon Hamilton, an Aspen native, announced himself as a possible medal contender for the Sochi Olympics by winning a men’s freestyle sprint Tuesday for his first career Tour de Ski stage victory.

Hamilton held off Canada’s Alex Harvey and Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby on the final straight for his first podium finish in any World Cup event.

“I didn’t think I had it until I was like 5 feet across the line. I just focused on skiing through the finish,” Hamilton said. “It turned out well, so I’m psyched.”



Harvey still leads the overall Tour standings with four races remaining.

In the women’s sprint, Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg beat fellow Norwegian Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen to take the overall Tour lead from their countrywoman Marit Bjoergen, who was eliminated in the quarterfinals.




“It was an amazing day for me,” Oestberg said. “I had a good feeling (and) in the end I was the strongest, and it’s a great feeling.”

Denise Herrmann, of Germany, was third.

The Tour de Ski is part of the overall World Cup and features seven stages in three countries. It ends Jan. 5 in Val di Fiemme, Italy.

In the men’s final, Hamilton jumped ahead of Italy’s Federico Pellegrino at the final corner. He then held off Harvey, who retains the Tour lead.

“This is incredible,” Hamilton said. “It’s been really great to be here and competing in Switzerland. The track was perfect. I have not realized yet that I won.”

Aspen’s Noah Hoffman, who also won a World Cup cross country race earlier this season, was 83rd in the sprint Tuesday, not his specialty.

Hoffman currently is 19th in the overall World Cup standings.

Overall World Cup Standings

(After 11 of 28 events)

1. Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Norway, 471 points.

2. Alexander Legkov, Russia, 294.

3. Chris Jespersen, Norway, 274.

4. Calle Halfvarsson, Sweden, 271.

5. Maurice Manificat, France, 266.

6. Alexey Poltoranin, Kazakhstan, 266.

7. Maxim Vylegzhanin, Russia, 230.

8. Sergey Ustiugov, Russia, 216.

9. Petter Northug Jr., Norway, 185.

10. Marcus Hellner, Sweden, 175.

Also

19. Noah Hoffman, Aspen, United States, 117.

34. Andrew Newell, Shaftsbury, Vt., United States, 93.

39. Simi Hamilton, Aspen, United States, 76.

Women

1.5k Freestyle Sprint

Final

1. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg, Norway, 2:58.00.

2. Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, Norway, .14 behind.

3. Denise Herrmann, Germany, .82.

4. Laurien Van der Graaff, Switzerland, 2.60.

5. Hanna Kolb, Germany, 4.15.

6. Sophie Caldwell, United States, 6.81.

Also

21. Jessica Diggins, United States, quarterfinals.

37. Holly Brooks, United States, qualification.

44. Elizabeth Stephen, United States, qualification.

Overall World Cup Standings

(After 11 of 28 events)

1. Marit Bjoergen, Norway, 676.

2. Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland, 444.

3. Therese Johaug, Norway, 413.

4. Charlotte Kalla, Sweden, 401.

5. Denise Herrmann, Germany, 373.

6. Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, Norway, 333.

7. Kikkan Randall, United States, 303.

8. Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg, Norway, 286.

9. Anne Kylloenen, Finland, 275.

10. Heidi Weng, Norway, 235.

Also

19. Jessica Diggins, United States, 128.

21. Sadie Bjornsen, United States, 120.

23. Sophie Caldwell, United States, 107.

46. Ida Sargent, United States, 41.

47. Elizbeth Stephen, United States, 39.

58. Holly Brooks, United States, 21.