NAGANO, Japan — Team USA started the first day of Long Track World Cup 4 with a silver and bronze in the Mass Start events.
Olympic medalist Mia Kilburg of Crestview skated to her first world cup medal as she crossed the finish line in third place during the Ladies Mass Start. Olympian and World Champion Joey Mantia of Ocala won his second world cup Mass Start medal of the season, finishing in the second position.
"I feel like a complete rookie again," Mantia said. "I wasn't paying attention to (Jordan) Belchos and had no idea when I went for the sprint that he was in the lead off the front of the pack. When I crossed the line, I put my hands up because I thought I won and realized quickly the mistake I made. Can't help but laugh and congratulate Jordan on a nice race."
"I crossed the line as if I won the race," Kilburg said. "I couldn't be more excited. The race went just as I hoped. I got stuck for a second behind a crash on the last lap but was able to avoid it and skate to my first World Cup medal!"
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview’s Kilburg skates to World Cup bronze