Diggins, Elliott Strike Gold

2012 US Cross Country Championships

Sat, Jan  7, 2012 - By USSA

RUMFORD, ME (Jan. 5) - Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) of Team CXC picked up her second title of the week while Ski and Snowboard Club Vail's Tad Elliott (Durango, CO) took a third career U.S. gold in day two of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Black Mountain in Rumford. Elliott took a close win in the men's 15kk freestyle while Diggins had a big margin in taking second gold in the 10k. Action continues Friday with 30k and 20k classic mass start events.

Tad Elliott charges to a victory in the men's 15k freestyle at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Rumford. (USSA/Bryan Fish)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Third career title for Tad Elliott in the 15k freestyle, defending  his 2011 title.
• Third career title for Jessie Diggins and second of the week.
• Elliott won with his signature race-winning final lap, similar to his Davos World Cup performance in December when he cracked the top 30.
• The win was another major stepping stone for Diggins, who will head to the World Cup next week starting with a sprint in  Milan.
• Team CXC's Matt Liebsch (Plymouth, MN), who won the American Birkebeiner in 2010, took a huge jump with a silver for his second U.S. Championships podium and first since 2009.
• Ski and Snowboard Club Vail's Sylvan Ellefson (Vail, CO) took bronze as well as jumping into the overall SuperTour lead.
• Team CXC's Caitlin Gregg (Warren, VT), third overall but second American, took silver.
• APU Nordic's Kate Fitzgerald (Palmer, AK) had another breakthrough finish to take bronze.
• Action continues Friday with a men's 30k and women's 20k classic mass start events.
   

RESULTS
Official Results