By Lindsey Sine, USSA

BLUE MOUNTAIN, Quebec -– Caitlin Ciccone (Littleton, NH) was at it again Wednesday, leading the way for the U.S. and cracking the top 30 as she finished 27th during a skiercross World Cup in Quebec.

Norway’s Marte Hoeie Gjefsen won the women’s race followed by Ashleigh Mcivvor of Canada in second and Slovenia’s Sasa Faric in third.

According to U.S. Ski Cross Head Coach Tyler Shepherd, the key to Ciccone’s day was her start.

“Our focus today was to get her out of the start faster and I think we accomplished that,” Shepherd said. “The last several World Cups she has been out of the gate last and here we got her more even with the rest of the women, and in the mix.”

In the men’s competition Andreas Matt of Austria won, followed in second by Lars Lewen of Sweden and Austrian Patrick Koller in third. No U.S. men made finals. The USA’s Casey Puckett (Aspen, CO) is taking a break before the Olympics, while Daron Rahlves (Sugar Bowl, CA) will be back for Lake Placid.

Now, the skiercross contingent will head to Lake Placid for what will be the final opportunity for freestyle athletes to make the 2010 Olympic Team. The Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge runs Jan. 21-24, with skiercross on Sunday. The Olympic Team will be named next Tuesday.

Blue Mountain, Quebec, Jan. 20, skiercross

Men

1. Andreas Matt, Austria

2. Lars Lewen, Sweden

3. Patrick Koller, Austria

4. Michael Schmid, Switzerland

5. Brady Leman, Canada

–

47. Justin Johnson, Park City, UT

52. Patrick Duran, Fayston, VT

53. John Teller, Mammoth Lakes, CA

55. Biche Rudigoz, Ketchum, ID

64. Scott Horn, Truckee, CA

Women

1. Marte Hoeie Gjefsen, Norway

2. Ashleigh Mcivor, Canada

3. Sasa Faric, Slovenia

4. Katharina Gutensohn, Austria

5. Ophelie David, France

–

27. Caitlin Ciccone, Littleton, NH

30. Langely McNeal, Ketchum, ID