August 28, 2010 (Falls Creek, Australia) – Trail groomers never seem to get any of the glory, but everyone in Falls Creek, Australia is heaping their Piston Bully drivers with praise for giving them such a great, race ready course after more than a meter of snowfall in the days leading up to the Kangaroo Hoppet.

Over 1,000 racers were greeted on race day by perfect weather conditions. Tops among the men’s field was Valerio Leccardi of Switzerland. In the men’s 42km freestyle event Leccardi spoiled what would otherwise have been an Aussi sweep, finishing just under 30 seconds ahead of Alex Almoukov (AUS) in 2nd and Ben Sims (AUS) in third and Callum Watson (AUS) in 4th. Fifth place went to the USA’s Garrott Kuzzy who was roughly 1:20 off the pace.

Leccardi’s girlfriend and local Mt Beauty racer Esther Bottomley took the win in the women’s 42km freestyle over 2nd place Anastazia Kuzmina (SVK) and Aimee Watson (AUS) in 3rd. Fourth among the women was the USA’s Sarah Konrad followed by Lena Pichard (SUI) in 5th.

For results and highlights from all race distances and categories click HERE.