Freeman finishes 44th in Holmenkollen slush

Sun, Mar  9, 2008 - By US Ski Team

OSLO, Norway (March 8) - Kris Freeman (Andover, NH) led U.S. skiers in the famed Holmenkollen Ski Festival, finishing 44th in a men's 50K Saturday.

"It was really slow wet mushy snow. I started out not feeling very good and that's how I stayed the whole race," Freeman said. "It was a disappointing day. The only real shining spot was that I managed to finish and about a fifth of the field didn't."

Anders Soedergren of Sweden won the men's race with a time of 2:11:44.7, beating out World Cup overall and distance leader Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic, who finished second with a time of 2:14.17.2.

In a surprise twist, no Norwegians made it on to the podium at the Holmenkollen with the top finish eighth.

In his first time at the Holmenkollen, rookie Garrott Kuzzy (Hayward, WI) finished behind teammate Freeman in 46th.

The women raced a 30K free technique won by Valentina Schevchenko of the Ukraine by a margin of 15 seconds, which moved her into the lead of the World Cup distance standings.

No U.S. women competed.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2008 VIESSMANN FIS WORLD CUP CROSS COUNTRY
Holmenkollen Ski Festival
Oslo, NOR - March 8, 2008

Men's 50K
1. Anders Soedergren, Sweden, 2:11:44.7
2. Lukas Bauer, Czech Republic, 2:14:17.2
3. Remo Fischer, Switzerland, 2:14:46.7
4. Vincent Vittoz, France, 2:14:46.9
5. Pietro Piller Cottrer, Italy, 2:15:21.2
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44. Kris Freeman, Andover, NH, 2:27:04. 6
46. Garrott Kuzzy, Hayward, WI, 2:27:48.4

Women's 30K
1. Valentina Shevchenko, Ukraine, 1:24:14.9
2. Charlotte Kalla, Sweden, 1:24:29.4
3. Claudia Nystad, Germany, 1:24:33.9
4. Therese Johaug, Norway, 1:24:35.5
5. Marit Bjoergen, Norway, 1:24:57.6
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For complete results click here.