The focus may be on Italy right now, with the last days of World Championship racing underway, but the U.S. has a strong contingent of skiers on the Continental Cup circuit in Europe.

Three men and five women took to the start line in the 3.3/4k freestyle prologue in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic in a Slavic Cup race.

The American women dominated the event, placing all five skiers in the top eight, led by Kate Fitzgerald, who tied to the tenth of a second for the win with Daniella Kotschova (SVK).

Sophie Caldwell was 3rd, .6 seconds back, Rosie Brennan took 5th, Erika Flowers 7th and Becca Rorabaugh 8th.

In the men’s race, Patrick Caldwell paced the U.S., finishing 4th, 13 seconds behind Jiri Horcicka (CZE).

Eric Packer was 10th and Peter Kling 12th for the Americans.

U.S. coach Bryan Fish wrote in an email that conditions were fast with temperatures right around freezing.

Racing continues on Sunday with a classic pursuit.

Women’s 3.3k Freestyle Prologue Results

Men’s 4k Freestyle Prologue Results

The third-fastest female qualifier in Saturday’s 1 k classic sprint, Alysson Marshall (Alberta World Cup Academy) went on to finish seventh in Albu, Estonia, in her first Scandinavian Cup race of the season.

It was also her first classic sprint since the NorAm opener Dec. 10 at Sovereign Lake in British Columbia. After arriving in Albu yesterday, Marshall wrote in an email that she wasn’t too affected by the travel and felt good coming off last weekend’s mini tour in Cantley, Quebec.

“I was ready to go right from the start and skied the various sections well,” Marshall wrote, adding that she was happy with her qualifier. “I was disappointed that I didn’t make the final. I was in 2nd or 3rd the entire semi until the finishing stretch when I was forced into a bad lane and was out-lunged for 3rd at the line.”

Becca Rorabaugh (APU) qualified in 27th and went on to place 27th. Zoe Roy (Rocky Mountain Racers/StellaRacing/XC Oregon) was 35th and Mary O’Connell (Steamboat Springs WSC) was 36th.

In the men’s classic sprint, Canadian Phil Widmer (AWCA) qualified in 25th and went on to place 30.

Mike Sinnott (SVSEF) was 31st, Erik Bjorsen (APU) finished 33rd and Reese Hanneman (APU) was 38th. Other American finishes include: Peter Kling (APU) in 57th, Cole Morgan (SVSEF) in 62nd, Welly Ramsey (MWSC) in 63rd, Forrest Mahlen (APU) in 75th, Michael Vigers (SSCV) in 76th, and Max Christman (Bend) in 81st.

Scandinavian Cup competition continues Sunday with 10 and 15 k classic races.

Women’s Top 10

1.Maria Nysted Groenvoll (NOR)

2. Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes (NOR)

3. Laura Ahervo (FIN)

4. Eva Svensson (SWE)

5.  Astrid Oeyre Slind (NOR)

6. Piret Pormeister (EST)

7. Alysson Marshall (CAN)

8. Elin Mohlin (SWE)

9. Maria Kerko (FIN)

10. Maria Nordstroem (SWE)

Women’s overall sprint results 

Men’s Top 10

1. John Kristian Dahl (NOR)

2. Paal Golberg (NOR)

3. Eirik Lorentsen (NOR)

4. Gustav Nordstroem (SWE)

5. Hans Petter Lykkja (NOR)

6. Lasse Paakkonen (FIN)

7. Juho Mikkonen (FIN)

8. Joergen Braathen (NOR)

9. Timo Andre Bakken (NOR)

10. Siim Sellis (EST)

Men’s overall sprint results

At the end of six grueling laps in Thursday’s 30 k freestyle mass start at the Scandinavian Cup in Madona, Latvia, Graham Nishikawa (Alberta World Cup Academy) sprinted with the four top men to the line, placing fifth 0.45 seconds out of first.

Sweden’s Fredrik Karlsson nabbed the victory by 0.2 seconds over teammate Lars Nelson. Norwegians Kristian Tettli Rennemo and Anders Tettli Rennemo were third and fourth, respectively.

After Nishikawa, Mike Sinnott (Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation) was 15th (+1:12.14) and Michael Somppi (NDC Thunder Bay) was 20th (+2:26.67).

Other North American men’s finishes include: 22. Brian McKeever (Foothills), 34. Peter Kling (APU), 44. Ramsey Welly (MWSC), 46. Max Christman (Bend)

In the women’s 15 k freestyle mass start, which also included 198-meters (650 feet) of climbing per 5 k loop, Becca Rorabaugh (APU) was the top North American in 17th. She was 3:37.66 behind Norwegian winner Martine Ek Hagen, who won by more than a minute. Norway swept the top five.

Alana Thomas (Nakkertok) finished 20th  (+3:50.14), and Zoe Roy (Rocky Mountain Racers) was 25th (+4:54.20). In Emily Hannah’s first 15 k, the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club skier was 26th (+4:55.20).

Men’s 30 k results

Women’s 15 k results