Skier Somppi top 15 in Estonia

Michael Somppi proved Thursday he belongs with the best skiers the world has to offer.
The Thunder Bay native finished 14th in the men’s 15-kilometre skate race at the World Under 23 Nordic championship in Otepaa, Estonia.

Somppi, who earned his way to the championships on the final day of qualifying at Lappe earlier this month, was ecstatic.

“Today was a really good day for me,” he said in a release. “My skis were quick and I was able to pick up on my pace on the final lap to stay with (Canadian)Kevin (Sandau), who had an amazing performance.”

Somppi wasn’t the only Thunder Bay racer competing on Thursday.

Fellow National Development Centre-Thunder Bay member Erin Tribe finished the women’s 10-kilometre race in 36th spot, in a time of 31”23.

NDC coach Eric Bailey was impressed with her result.

“This was Erin’s first world championship race and I think she handled it well,” Bailey said. “She raced hard on this challenging course and I’m sure she learned a lot.”

The duo will take part in the classic sprints on Friday.