SOLDIER HOLLOW — Performances Friday by U.S. Paralypians Steven Cook and Candace Cable at the Disabled Cross Country World Cup shows the Americans will be among the favorites next March when the Paralympics come to Utah.
Cook, who lives in Salt Lake City and trains at Soldier Hollow, took the silver medal in the 5-kilometer men's standing event, and Cable took a bronze in the 2.5K women's sit-ski race. Friday's strong efforts follow similar performances at last year's World Cup, where Cook took one gold and two bronzes, and Cable won a silver medal.
"They definitely skied up to their ability," said Scott Peterson, disabled nordic coordinator for the Salt Lake Olympic Committee.
Another standout performance was put in by Canadian Brian McKeever, who won the men's 5K visually impaired race in his first year of world competition. McKeever is skiing so fast that he has to have his brother Robin, who is a member of the Canadian National Ski Team, as his guide. Robin McKeever flew in from a world event in Europe to assist his brother.
"He's the only one who can ski fast enough to stay ahead of him and guide him," Peterson said.
U.S. skier Michael Crenshaw might have been the biggest surprise for the Americans, finishing fourth in the men's 5K standing. Missing a spot on the medal podium by one is Crenshaw's best-ever finish.
Thomas Oelsner of Germany won the 5K standing, and teammate Harald Thauer finished third, behind Cook. Norway's Tone Gravvold edged Janna Argillander of Finland in the women's 5K visually impaired race. In the closest race of the day, Alain Marguerettaz, France, edged Sergej Shilov, Russia, and Oliver Anthofer, Austria, in the men's 5 kilometer sit-ski race. Only six seconds separated the three racers.
In taking third in the women's 2.5 kilometer sit-ski races, Cable finished behind Ragnhild Myklebust, Norway, and Collette Bourgonje, Canada. Tanja Kari, Finland, continued her dominance in the women's 5 kilometer standing by beating Siw Vestengen, Norway, by more than 70 seconds. Kari won three gold medals at the 1998 Paralympics in Nagano and three golds at last year's World Cup.
Ninety-four athletes are competing at this year's Disabled Cross Country World Cup, almost double the number who competed at the World Cup prior to the Nagano games. John Aalberg, chief of competition at Soldier Hollow, expects more than 150 athletes at the 2002 Paralympics.
"Many of these athletes only get financial support during the year of the Paralympics, so it is hard for many countries to send their teams here this year," Aalberg said.
The Disabled Cross Country World Cup continues this morning with the long-distance races and finishes up Sunday with men's and women's relay events. Many athletes are struggling with the high altitude and the wet snow conditions. Temperatures were in the mid-40s Friday, and at times there were light showers. Rain and warm temperatures are forecast for most of the weekend.
Admission to the World Cup events is free. Competition begins at 9 a.m.
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com