CRAFTSBURY, VT (March 26, 2016) – The 2016 USSA SuperTour Finals and L.L. Bean U.S. Long Distance National Championships concluded Saturday with a 50/30k classic race. Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN, SMST2) claimed her third individual victory of the series, while Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA, APU Nordic Ski Center) claimed his second individual victory, giving them distance national titles.
Jessie Diggins (201) leads out the women’s field at the start of the 30k classic race (Reese Brown)
In the women’s 30k, challenging conditions forced skiers to race the 30k on a 3.4k loop. Diggins broke away from the pack early causing her to ski the nine-loop race alone. With intense motivation, Diggins dominated the race by over one minute, ahead of U.S. Ski Team member, Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT, Craftsbury GRP) and Caitlin Patterson (Anchorage, AK, Craftsbury GRP) who finished third.
“I just went for it today, and I was trying to get as many kilometers done while the tracks were still icy and fast as possible,” said Diggins. “It was good to feel good for my last race of the year.”
Eric Bjornsen (6) leads the men’s field during the 50K classic race. (Reese Brown)
Bjornsen ruled the men’s 50k race after skiing a grueling 15 laps. Bjornsen and Tad Elliot (Durango, CO, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail) stuck together throughout the race until Bjornsen made bold moves and kicked it in in the final laps, moving up to the lead position. By the end of the 50k, Bjornsen had gained 1:39 minutes to claim a convincing first place finish ahead of Elliot and David Norris (Anchorage, AK, APU Nordic Ski Center) who was third.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Kati Roivas (University of New Mexico) won the women’s U23 30k, followed by Cambria McDermott (Montana State University) and Mary O’Connell (Dartmouth College) who finished third.
- Fabian Stocek (Dartmouth College) won the men’s U23 50k, followed by Adam Martin (Northern Michigan University) and Patrick Caldwell (Stratton SMST2) who finished third.
- Katharine Ogden (Stratton Mountain School) won the U20 women’s 30k, followed by Alayna Sonnesyn (University of Vermont) and Mattie Watts (University of Vermont) who finished third.
- Sean Cork (Minneapolis, MN) won the U20 men’s 50k followed by August Posch (Bowdoin Nordic) who was second.
- In the women’s U20 15k classic race, Julia Kern (Stratton Mountain School) snatched the victory over teammates Mackenzie Rizio and Anna Lehmann who was third.
- In the men’s U20 20k classic race, Thomas O’Harra (APU Nordic Ski Center) dominated the race by 2:56.4 over Peter Holmes (University of New Hampshire) and Remi Salacroup (University of Vermont) who was third.
QUOTES
Jessie Diggins
I just went for it today, and I was trying to get as many kilometers done while the tracks were still icy and fast as possible! I’ve had great skis all week from Pat and all the awesome people helping our SMST2 team wax, so that’s been really fun, and it was good to feel good for my last race of the year!
RESULTS
Men’s 50k Classic
Women’s 30k Classic
