Freeman Takes Second Win at Nationals
US Championships
Thu, Jan 4, 2007 - By Dean Woodbeck
HOUGHTON MI – Kris Freeman took his second straight victory at the U.S. Cross Country Championships in Houghton, Michigan. The two-time Olympian and member of the U. S. Ski Team completed the 15 kilometer freestyle course in 39:34. Freeman also won yesterday's 10 kilometer classic race at the U.S. championships.
Freeman posted a 47 second victory over Lars Flora, who skis for the Subaru Factory Team. James Southam, who skis for the Rossignol Elite Team, finished third.
In the women's competition, Alexa Turzian, a member of the Sun Valley Ski Team, won the women's 10 kilometer event with a time of 27:49. Kikkan Randall of the U.S. Ski Team made the podium for the second day in a row, taking the runner-up spot both days. Karin Camenisch of the Rossignol Elite team took third place, just seven seconds behind Randall.
This was the second day of racing at the championships, held at the Michigan Tech Nordic Training Center. Racers again faced temperatures in the low 40s and soft trail conditions. Competitors will now have a day off before entering a weekend of sprinting.
U.S. disabled skiers also competed in the second day of races. Greg Mallory won today's 6 kilometer race in 23:02. Andy Soule was second in 23:24 and Sean Halsted took third. All three are members of the U.S. Disabled Team.
After the races on Thursday, volunteers moved several truckloads of snow to the sprint course, using their backs and their shovels to ensure a solid base for Saturday's races.
The U.S. Cross Country Championships will continue on Saturday with the individual classic sprint races. Qualifying rounds will begin at 10 am, as racers cover a 1.3 kilometer course. The quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will start at 1 pm.
On Sunday, for the first time ever, the U.S. championships will include a team relay event. Teams of two skiers will alternate, skiing three laps each. Sunday's events begin at 10 am.
A complete list of results and the schedule for the remaining three races are at www.seniornationals.org.
The 2007 U.S. Cross Country Championships are supported by The Boss Snowplow, Portage Health, Plum Creek Timber and the Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Results for January 4 Freestyle Races:
- Women's 10k freestyle (unofficial)
- Men's 15k freestyle (unofficial)
- Disabled freestyle