Successful Start to the Nordic Season for Musgrave and Young

Gaalaa - The temps were down to the bottom of the thermometer.  This makes racing potentially dangerous & there is a lot of evidence in Norway of athletes damaging their lungs.  

Fortunately, the forecast for Saturday was a little on the low side of the actual weather; so the sprint races were on.  Two British athletes were part of a huge number of racers taking part (the Gaalaa race always attracts a huge number from all over Norway and this year in particular year there were places in the Norwegian team for Canada up for grabs).

The new sprint course is a bit more interesting than the one that was previously used with more up and downs and bends. Andrew Musgrave skied the course in 3:44.5 while Andrew Young just 0.5 sec slower.  This put them well up the high quality field in 11th and 12th respectively.  Both Andrews are in great form at the start of this season.

After a bit of confusion with the quarter final list they prepared for the knock out stages.  Both started their quarter finals strongly but faded at about half way.  Andrew Musgrave came in 4th in his quarter final, with Andrew Young 6th in his.  After such good performances in the prologue both were a little disappointed not to make it to the semi finals.  Informal calculation of the points have them both scoring mid 60s FIS sprint points, a good return on the day's work.  And if confirmed will be Andrew Young's best sprint points.

With the guys in great form it was sad to see the weather get in tune with the forecast and the temperature plunge overnight to leave the organisers to firstly delay and then call off the distance race scheduled for Sunday.

Next races will be the Scandinavian cup at Sjusjoen in 2 weeks.