March 7 – Olympian Kris Freeman (Andover, NH), who
turned-in the best U.S. cross country results in 21 years last winter,
signaled his breakout Sunday from the sickness that has hobbled this season
as he finished 15th in a 15k freestyle World Cup race, his best
performance in 14 months.

Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic won the men’s race in 36:06.2 with
Austrian Christian Hoffman second, 12 seconds back. Freeman, who started
to emerge from his funk at the World Championships when he skied a
stirring opening leg of the 4x10K relay, finished in 37:17.4.

“In a normal season, we’d say that’s what we expect from Kris, but this
hasn’t been a normal season in any way, so this is outstanding, and we’re
pleased with it,” said Head Coach Trond Nystad. “Kris did a good job on a
tough course and we hope this is the end of what’s been holding him back.
Carl [Swenson – Park City, UT – who was 76th] clearly is not over whatever
hit him, and we’re sending him home.” He said Swenson, a two-time Olympian
who had three World Cup top-15s a year ago, would undergo testing to help
determine what has troubled him all season.

Russian Julia Tchepalova won the women’s 10K free in 26:13.8, edging Czech
Katerina Neumannova by four seconds. No U.S. women raced.

VIESSMANN CROSS COUNTRY WORLD CUP

Men’s 15K Freestyle

1. Lukas Bauer, Czech Republic, 36:06.2

2. Christian Hoffmann, Austria, 36:18.3

3. Thomas Moriggl, Italy, 36:27.7

4. Juha Lallukka, Finland, 36:33.0

5. Evgenji Dementiev, Russia, 36:38.4

–

15. Kris Freeman, Andover, N.H., 37:17.4

73. Dave Chamberlain, Bethel, Maine, 39:35.8

76. Carl Swenson, Park City, Utah, 39:45.5

83. Chad Giese, St. Paul, Minn., 40:10.9

—

Women’s 10K F

1. Julia Tchepalova, Russia, 26:13.8

2. Katerina Neumannova, Czech Republic, 26:17.1

3. Karine Philpott, France, 26:40.6

4. Evi Sachenbacher, Germany, 26:47.7

5. Beckie Scott, Canada, 26:57.6

(No U.S. women raced)