PYEONGCHANG -- The pursuit of an Olympic medal came to an end earlier than expected for cross-country skier Simi Hamilton on Tuesday morning.
After recording the second fastest time of his qualifying heat in the men’s individual sprint, the former member of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation fell during the quarterfinals. Hamilton got to his feet as quickly as he could, but the damage was already done.
Hamilton finished 10.43 seconds out of first place and crossed the finish line in fourth place. The three-time Olympian needed to finish in the top two in order to advance to the semifinals.
Hamilton still plans to race in the men's team sprint on Feb. 21. The 30-year-old was on the U.S. Team that finished sixth in Sochi in 2014.
Meanwhile, McCall-born siblings Scott and Caitlin Patterson both competed in the skiathlon. Scott finished 18th overall in the men's 30K event, and was the top-placing American in the race. Caitlin finished the women's 15K event in 34th place, three-and-a-half minutes off the winner's time. She was the second of four Americans to cross the finish line.
