CROSS COUNTRY: Anna Trnka finished 19th in the Team Sportia Cup in Ostersund. Trnka qualified in equal 20th in the 19-20 year age class. She was 17 seconds or around 10% behind the fastest female of the day, Canadian World Cup Sprinter Daria Gaiazova.

Trnka finished fourth in her quarter final out of six which moved her up to 19th. The time she raced in the quarter final was seven seconds faster than her qualifying time showing potential room for improvement over the coming weeks.

“Another top 20 sprint result and a FIS point PB! Feeling stronger and faster with each race,” Trnka said.

The following day Trnka finished 14th in the 5km Classic leg of the Team Sportia Cup. Trnka finished 1:35 behind winner Anna Dyvik from the Falun Borlange Club SK- or in other terms 11.12% behind the winner.

Trnka’s first lap was solid however she tired on the second lap and dropped back three places. Luckily, the prizes went to the top 15 placegetters and she is now a 300 Swedish Krone gift certificate richer! “Feeling satisfied with the shape,” she posted on Twitter.

At the FIS races at Seefeld, Austria,  Esther Bottomley also notched a top 20 finish with 15th in the Sprint Freestyle final. She then rocketed to 23rd place in the women’s 5km Freestyle (92.28 FIS Points).

Aimee Watson, who was 42nd (110.90 FIS Points) in the 5km Freestyle, skied into the top 20 of the 5km Classic with an 18th-place-finish (108.73 FIS Points).

Callum Watson collected 68.49 FIS Points with a 35th place finish in the 10km Freestyle. He also finished 66th in the 10km Classic (108.58).

Compatriot Phillip Bellingham also raced the 10km Classic, finishing 47th (93.04 FIS Points). He finished 34th in the men’s Sprint Freestyle final.