It was a mixed weekend of racing for Ben Sim in Ruka, Finland. On the Saturday he finished 81st out of 85 in the Classic Sprint, 21 seconds off the pace.

Sunday's result in the 15km Classic was much better, 69th place out of 94 starters, with FIS points of 66.83 (or 8.4% behind the winner). Apparently Simbo didn't feel good during the race, but the fact that he is racing consistently around 60 FIS points shows that he is good shape and an "average race" is up at a new level this winter. Here is what he had to say about the sprint:
"Well today was crap. I felt good, I had good skis, and just went so slow. Not sure how tomorrow will go so just have to wait and see but if I do the same as last weekend I'll be happy after today's result."

The men's sprint was won by Jens Arne Svartedal of Norway; the women's sprint by Petra Madic from Slovenia; the men's 15km went to Eldar Roenning from Norway and the women's 10km to Virpi Kuitunen from Finland.

(Story courtesy The XC Files)