Cross-country news - 5/2/9
GB XC skier in World's Top 10

Cross-country skier Andrew Musgrave, today pulled off Great Britain's best ever result in the FIS World Junior Cross-Country Skiing Championships.

Beating skiers from all but 3 countries in the world (Germany, Russia and Norway), Andrew broke into the top 10 in the 10km Free Technique (skate style) race in impressive style, finishing within 70 seconds of winner Petr Sedov of Russia.

Today's success follows an impressive debut race on Tuesday, when Musgrave (18) finished in 12th position in the 20km pursuit race (10km classic skiing, followed by 10km skate skiing), having been seeded in 14th position.

Speaking after that race, coach Alastair Dargie said: 'To have been able to build on that ranking to finish 12th is great, although I think we would both like to crack the top 10 marker soon'.

Prescient words, and clearly the focus of both athlete and coach has paid off. Musgrave has performed well throughout the season, finishing second at the Swiss Junior National Championships in Trun, and third in the Norwegian Junior Trials in Trondheim last month.

Although his results at the World Championships are exceptional, the entire GB team has performed well ahead of expectations. Sarah Young was 42nd / 72 in today's 5k Free Technique race and Fiona Hughes was 47th / 67 in Tuesday's race. Andrew Young - who is only 16 and will be eligible to race juniors until he is 20 - finished 39th / 84 in Sunday's classic sprints.

These results have been a great achievement for a team which has been working hard all seasos. The focus of the squad will shift now to the World Championships in the Czech Republic for senior racers, and the European Youth Olympics for the younger team members.

 

Team members' results & profiles on the FIS website

British Nordic Ski Team - official reports

Musgrave arrives on the World Cup Circuit