Career bests for Stephen, Arritola

World Cup: La Clusaz

Sun, Dec  19, 2010 - By US Ski Team

LA CLUSAZ, France (Dec. 18) - Amidst fresh snow the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team’s Liz Stephen (E. Montpelier, VT) and Morgan Arritola (Sun Valley, ID) skied to career best finishes with 18th and 19th in the women’s 15k mass start event. Kris Freeman (Andover, NH) finished in 25th in the men's 30k mass start. Norway's Marit Bjoergen and Russia's Maxim Vylegzhanin won the race.

Stephen and Arritola worked together to gain ground, especially in the last half of the race, finishing 18th and 19th respectively. According to U.S. Coach Matt Whitcomb, the duo met up at about six kilometers and helped each other throughout the mass start race.

"Liz had a poor start out of the stadium - she was second to last out of the gates. But when they met up they skied together, pushing each other, as they have done a million times," said Whitcomb. "I am so proud of these gals, most of all they were patient out there, and they worked together.”

Bjoergen, who continue her string of victories this season, won the women's 15k, with Justyna Kowalcyzk of Poland a close second in a sprint finish.

Bjoergen notches another career win for her 42nd World Cup victory and is now tied with the legendary Norwegian Bente Skari. Bjoergen remains the overall World Cup leader.

It was a mad dash to the finish line in the men’s 30k mass start event with Freeman placing 25th.

"This is not a bad race for Kris today. He was with the lead pack for much of the race, and this race is skating and at altitude," Whitcomb commented following the race. "I really think he’s in a good place.”

The depth of the field brought the best out in the skiers with a dramatic photo-finish called between Norwegian star Petter Northug and Vylegzhanin. Upon further review the win was awarded to Vylegzhanin with a time of 1:18:53.5, while Northug’s time was 1:18:53.6.

The trio of Kikkan Randall (Anchorage), Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT) and Freeman will spend the holidays in Davos, Switzerland at a pre Tour de Ski training camp.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Cross Country World Cup
La Clusaz, France – Dec. 18, 2010
Men’s 30k Free Mass Start

1. Maxim Vylegzhanin, Russia, 1:18:53.5
2. Petter Northug, Norway, 1:18.53.6
3. Alexander Legkov, Russia, 1:18:53.9
4. Dario Cologna, Switzerland, 1:18:55.5
5. Lukas Bauer, Czech Republic, 1:19:04.6
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25. Kris Freeman, Andover, NH, 1:20:16.3
47. Noah Hoffman, Aspen, CO, 1:24:06.2

Women’s 15k Free Mass Start

1. Marit Bjoergen, Norway, 42.29.6
2. Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland, 42.30.6
3. Kristin Stoemer Steira, Norway, 42.40.5
4. Arrianna Follis, Italy, 43.49.7
5. Marianna Longa, Italy, 43.51.6
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18. Liz Stephen, E. Montpelier, VT, 45.30.0
19. Morgan Arritola, Sun Valley, ID, 45.30.5

For complete results: www.fis-ski.com