(Bormio, Italy), February 13, 2003 – American Kris Freeman dominated the men's opening 30 km classical mass start race by over two minutes this morning at the Under-23 World Cross Country Ski Championships in Bormio, Italy.

The young American racer has been on the podium consistently all season long at the Continental Cup race series in North America and continued to prove himself as a world-class competitor today when he breezed through the 30k course in 1:18:4.6. Silver and bronze medallists, Swede Johan Olsson and German Sebastian Schlott, came in neck-in-neck in 1:20:25.9 and 1:20:26.0 respectively. The next best North American was Ethan Foster in 1:22:45.5 for 17th position, followed by teammate Chris Cook in 1:23:24.9 for 21st.

The top Canadian racer, Sudbury's Devon Kershaw, came right behind Cook in 1:24:54.2. Canadian Team 2006 member Drew Goldsack, of Red Deer, Alberta, came in 27th in 1:25:27.7. Adam Kates, of Sault Ste. Marie followed in 35th spot in a final time of 1:29:29.2.

On the women's side, SwitzerlandÃŒs Nicole Serania won the 15 km classical mass start race in 45:29.7. She was followed nearly 18 seconds later by Norwegian racer Kristin Steira Stoemer in 45:47.0. The bronze went to Stoemer's teammate Kristen Muerer Stemland, who crossed the line in 6:02.0.

The top North American today was Aubrey Smith of the US, who place 12th in her time of 47:49.3. Smith's teammate and Junior racer Linsey Weier, who had a couple top-20 results at last weekÃŒs World Juniors in Sweden, came in 15th in 48:10.5. Their third teammember, Melissa Oram, followed in 20th spot in 48:41.5. The top Canadian was Edmonton-native Tara Whitten in 22nd in a time of 49:41.9. Whitten's teammate Sarah Daitch, of the North West Territories came 23rd in 50:54.3.

The U-23 World Cross Country Ski Championships will continue Saturday and Sunday.