HOUGHTON, Michigan (January 7, 2016) - Day three of U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships presented by L.L. Bean resulted in a double National title for Caitlin Patterson (Craftsbury Green Racing Project), who also won the women’s 10k classic earlier this week, and a dominating comeback victory for Tad Elliot (Vail Ski and Snowboard Club) in the 30/20k freestyle mass start.
Caitlin Patterson (#202) skated past Chelsea Holmes in the final 100 meters to take her second U.S. National title. (CCCSA-Mary Kozloski)
Endurance and determination was the key to success on the grueling 30k course on the Michigan Tech trails. The men’s event was competitive throughout the race where packs formed early. In the final kilometers, Elliot skied to a convincing win over Brian Gregg (Team Gregg/Madshus) as he continued to lengthen the gap with two kilometers. He cruised across the line more than 10 seconds ahead of Gregg, followed by Michael Somppi (NDC Thunder Bay) in third.
Tad Elliot skated to the men’s 30k freestyle victory Thursday at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships presented by L.L. Bean. (USSA)
“I felt incredible during the race, I think its one of those feelings when your skis are that quick and things are going well for you, you start to believe that you can win,” Elliott said. “Things become a little easier for you and you start to believe it, it makes the suffering quite a bit better.”
The women’s 20k race was not as predictable. Chelsea Holmes (APU Nordic Center) led throughout the majority of the race and was still leading with nearly 100 meters to the finish, but it was Caitlin Patterson who had the last bit of energy to battle to the finish line first, just four seconds ahead of Holmes. Holmes and Patterson have been frequenting top podium spots already this season, during Period I of the USSA SuperTours. Katharine Ogden (Stratton Mountain School) also had an impressive race, finishing third overall and first for U20’s.
“The race was quite a battle between four of us: Chelsea Holmes, Anne Hart, and Katharine Ogden,” Patterson said. “We all had different strengths and weaknesses throughout the race with the varying terrain, but I managed to pull myself together and get it in the end.
“My wax techs gave me absolutely amazing skis and it was really a team effort today and I am really happy with today overall,” she added.
Tad Elliott won the men’s 30k freestyle race Thursday, followed by Brian Gregg in second and Michael Somppi in third. (CCCSA-Mary Kozloski)
The fourth and final races of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships presented by L.L. Bean will be January 9, with classic sprints.
HIGHTLIGHTS
- The top six men were all within 21 seconds within the winning time.
- For the men’s 30k, Tad Elliot, Brian Gregg and Adam Martin (Northern Michigan University) were the top three overall for Americans.
- For the junior men’s 10k freestyle mass start, Ian Torchia (Northern Michigan University) finished first just 6.5 seconds ahead of Zak Ketterson (Loppet Nordic Racing) and Lars Hannah (University of Denver) finished third. First through third place were U20s.
- The top U18 male was Hunter Wonders (APU Nordic Ski Center) who finished fifth overall and the top U16 male was Ben Ogden (Stratton Mountain School) who finished 16th overall.
- For the junior women’s 5k freestyle mass start, Hannah Halvorsen (Sugar Bowl Academy) finished first overall and also claimed another top victory for U18. Halvorsen had an incredible race, finishing 4.9 seconds a head of Vivian Hett (Northern Michigan University) and Julia Kern (Stratton Mountain School) who finished third. Hett also claimed the top U20 finish.
- Margaret Gellert (Alaska Winter Stars) was the top U16 finishing 18th overall in the women’s 5k freestyle mass start.
QUTOES
Tad Elliot
I felt incredible during the race, I think its one of those things when your skis are that quick and things are going well for you, you start to believe that you can win and things become a little easier for you and you start to believe it, it makes the suffering quite a bit better.
Caitlin Patterson
I am beyond happy and excited to have won Nationals for a second time, the second distance race this year and it being my first time ever winning at Nationals.
The race was quite a battle between four of us: Chelsea Holmes, Anne Hart, and Katharine Ogden and we all had different strengths and weaknesses throughout the race with the varying terrain but I managed to pull myself together and get it in the end.
My wax techs gave me absolutely amazing skis. It was a team effort today and I am really happy with today overall.”
RESULTS
Men’s 30k freestyle mass start
Women’s 20k freestyle mass start
Men’s 10k freestyle mass start
Women’s 5k freestyle mass start
