Nordic Roundup: Steffi returns?; Martin returns!; And so does Beckie

Nordic Roundup: Steffi returns?; Martin returns!; And so does Beckie{mosimage}The 2002 Olympics races opened in Soldier Hollow with Italy’s Stefania Belmondo charging to the gold medal in the 15-kilometer skate race. The final race was “won” by Larissa Lazhutina with Italians Gabriella Paruzzi second and Belmondo third. At the post-ace press conference, before it was discovered the Rushin’ Russian had some high octane fuel in her tank (and she eventually was DQ’d), the two teammates joked they’d be at the 2006 Olympics in their homeland…”as spectators…with our babies.”

Paruzzi has continued racing and is the defending World Cup champion. But Belmondo retired after the ’02 season…and had her baby. Now, though, the pixie-like racer apparently is looking to return according to www.eurosport.com.

Belmondo, who turns 36 on Jan. 13 and had a baby a year ago, is due to deliver another baby in March. And then she’ll get back into training mode.

She was arguably was the finest skater of her time. She won the last two World Cup career…um, the last two of the first part of her World Cup career. Her first victory came in December 1988 when – as the reigning world junior champion – Belmondo came to Mountain Dell, a hilly municipal golf course between Salt Lake City and Park City and won a 15km skate on snow which was largely brought in from Snowbird resort to cover the nearly snowless landscape. Mountain Dell was the originally proposed cross-country site for the Olympics…until an outcry led to establishing Soldier Hollow as the venue. At those final Games, Belmondo won gold (15km freestyle, silver (30km classic) and bronze (10km classic).

Schmitt back for Engelberg

When the World Cup jumping community sets up camp this week in Engelberg, two-time World Cup champion Martin Schmitt of Germany will be in the pack. Schmitt, who has been troubled by knee problems over the last couple of seasons, was benched by new Coach Peter Rohwein last week in Harrachov, Czech Republic, because of his inconsistent jumping. His top result during the first four meets of the season was 40th.

Eurosport reports Rohwein is satisfied Schmitt, who was so dominant in the ’99 and 2000 seasons – until the emergence of (1) his knee problems and (2) Adam Malysz), is back on track. The schedule calls for large hill (HS137 under the new designation system, K120 under the old) events Saturday and Sunday.

At the same time, Finnish Coach Tommi Nikunen, understandably pleased with defend World Cup champ Janne Ahonen having won five of the first six meets, said everyone but Ahonen, Matti Hautamaeki and Tami Kiuru – the only three to crack the top-30 Sunday in Harrachov – would sit out the weekend in Engelberg. “We have something to do,” he said, explaining the extra training for those who won’t be competing.

Beckie back at Soldier Hollow

Canadian star Beckie Scott, a demure housewife until you put a racing bib on her (Exhibit A – that Olympic pursuit gold medal from Soldier Hollow in 2002), returned to the scene of her Olympic heroics and won both ends of a cross-country SuperTour over the weekend. Rebecca Dussault, who ruled SuperTour races last season and won the first two races in West Yellowstone, Mont., over Thanksgiving Weekend, was second Saturday, a half-minute back of Scott in the 5km CL and continues to lead the points. James Southam won both men’s races.

The Super Tour at Soldier Hollow, like the World Championships, is draped over two weekends. Classic races were staged Saturday and Sunday, a pursuit – mixing classic and freestyle technique, was scheduled for today (Wednesday) and things conclude next weekend with skating (freestyle) races. Soldier Hollow will be the site of additional SuperTour races as the U.S. championships Jan. 3-10 double as SuperTour events.

Ticket to Torino for Jason Myslicki

Cross-country racers Beckie Scott and Sara Renner are assured Olympic berths for Torino in 2006, which surprises no one. But Jason Myslicki has qualified as Canada’s first Olympic nordic combined skier since 1988 when the Games were held in Calgary.

According to a press release from the Calgary Olympic Development Authority, Myslicki’s top-15 finishes Saturday (12th) and Sunday (15th) in World Cup-B action in Steamboat Springs, Colo., earned him a ticket to Torino. Canadian criteria mandate two top-20s results in World Championships, World Cups or World Cup-B action. Max Thompson earned half of his criteria by finishing 11th Sunday. In jumping, where skiers have to post a top-30, Stefan Read was 27th in a Continental Cup in Finland, so he’s halfway there, too.