Randall, Freeman collect SuperTour Wins
Thu, Mar 31, 2011 - By US Ski Team
SUN VALLEY, ID (March 30) - Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) extended her USSA SuperTour Finals lead Wednesday and Kris Freeman (Andover, NH) skied to the top spot in the women's 10k and men's 15k classic events in Sun Valley.
Randall continued to pour it on Wednesday, navigating a windy and hilly course to win the second stage of the four-stage Finals. After winning the prologue on Tuesday by over 16 seconds, Randall prevailed by just four in Wednesday's classic race, but still stretched out her overall lead. In her second distance race in four days the Alaska native has looked impressively comfortable despite her reputation as a pure sprinter.
CXC's Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN), who was impressive across the board this season, followed closely in second, edging out Alaska Pacific University's Holly Brooks (Anchorage). Brooks has eyes on the overall SuperTour season title, a crown that would earn her not only a cash prize, but more importantly an automatic bid onto the World Cup circuit next season.
Following a second in the 3.3k freestyle prologue, Freeman jumped to the top of the men's tables Wednesday, earning the 15k classic win and grabbing the overall lead from Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO). The longer course played into Freeman's hands perfectly, and the New Hampshire native took full advantage. Freeman beat out Canadians Drew Goldsack and Kevin Sandau by 13 and 17 seconds respectively.
Wednesday's victories bode well for both Randall and Freeman as the SuperTour Finals moves into its third stage, the women's and men's classic sprint. Each racer will gain a 15 second head start in addition to the margin of victory in their respective races for the 5k hill climb, the finale of the SuperTour Finals. Randall, having won Tuesday as well, has amassed 30 bonus seconds and looks to earn more in Friday's classic sprint.
After a break on Thursday, racers return to action Friday for the men's and women's classic sprints. The SuperTour concludes Saturday with a hill climb up Dollar Mountain.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
U.S. SuperTour Finals
Sun Valley, ID – March 30, 2011
10k/15k Classic Technique
Men
1. Kris Freeman, Andover, NH (U.S. Ski Team/WVBBTS), 40:59.7
2. Drew Goldsack, Canada, 41:13.5
3. Kevin Sandau, Canada, 41:17.1
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5. Tad Elliot, Durango, CO (CXC), 41:23.2
7. Noah Hoffman, Aspen, CO (U.S. Ski Team/Aspen Valley CC), 41:33.2
8. Matthew Gelso, Truckee, CA (Sun Valley SEF), 41:48.9
10. Brian Greg, Winthrop, WA (CXC), 41:56.7
Women
1. Kikkan Randall, Anchorage (U.S. Ski Team/APUNSC), 30:41.8
2. Jessie Diggins, Afton, NH (CXC), 30:46.0
3. Holly Brooks, Anchorage (APUNSC), 30:46.6
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5. Morgan Arritola, Ketchum, ID (U.S. Ski Team, Sun Valley SEF), 31:33.9
6. Kate Fitzgerald, Palmer, AK (APUNSC), 31:34.2
7. Chelsea Holmes, Truckee, CA (Sugar Bowl Academy), 31:50.4
8. Sadie Bjornsen, Anchorage (APUNSC), 32:02.4
9. Rebecca Rorabaugh, Hanover, NH (APUNSC), 32:17.1
10. Morgan Smyth, Vernon, VT (APUNSC), 32:18.4
For complete results go to summittiming.com.