Hoffmann charges to a 15th place finish in 15k freestyle

FIS Nordic World Ski Championships

Thu, Feb  28, 2013 - By USSA

AL DI FIEMME, Italy (Feb. 27) - Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO) put in a strong kick to the finish to take a solid 15th place in the 15k freestyle cross country race at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme. Norway's incomparable Petter Northug won his eighth career World Championshiops gold with a breathtaking performance, leading the entire way in the individual start event. Action continues Thursday with the women's 4x5k relay where the U.S. Ski Team is expected to be among the top nations. Universal Sports Network is providing live streaming of all events.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO) turned in a strong performance to finish 15th in the 15k freestyle at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
• Hoffman came from behind with a strong push through the last few kilometers to score a career best finish at the distance. Hoffman has two career top-30s in 15k classic but never in freestyle. His best World Cup was the Canmore, AB skiathlon in December where he finished eighth over 30k.
• The race strategy for Hoffman was to go out slow and ski a stable race, saving energy for the finish. He latched onto Czech Republic skier Lukas Bauer in the final kilometers and shot up five places on the final lap.
• Tad Elliott (Durango, CO) was 34th with Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) 48th.
• The women are back in action Thursday with a 4x5k relay with the men Friday with their 4x10k. 
• Universal Sports Network, available on DirectTV and Dish Network, is providing live streaming of all events for subscribers. 
• It has been a strong Championships for the U.S. Ski Team with two gold and a bronze, including the team sprint title for Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) and Kikkan Randall (Anchorage), plus a fifth for Liz Stephen (E. Montpelier, VT) in the 10k Tuesday.

QUOTES
Noah Hoffman
My plan was to go out under control. I was able to do that today. I felt very under control in the 40s at 1.8k which was exactly where I wanted to be. Late in the race I got on (Lukas) Bauer. I was struggling to stay with him but he was a good ride for me. With a lap to go I was 20th and following him I moved up to 15th.

Tad Elliott
I'm still feeling like I'm a bit off but it was a good race for me. I beat a lot of guys who beat me in Davos.

Erik Bjornsen
I think I pretty much gave it all I could. But it's hard getting passed by people. But I feel like I was making good movements. The strategy today was to make time on the flats and to hang in on the uphills. I knew if I was going to have a good race I was going to have to start hard. I died a bit more than I wanted to but also had a great last kilometer.

RESULTS
Official Results