March 22, 2014 (Anchorage, Alaska) — Skiing far from home on foreign snow is nothing new to Olympian Noah Hoffman who topped the men’s field today at the SuperTour Finals in Kincaid Park, in Anchorage, Alaska.

Alaska isn’t a trip to the grocery store either, but it certainly felt like home on Saturday. “It’s great to be back in the U.S.,” said Hoffman. “It’s a really nice change of pace.”

Noah Hoffman © Rob Whitney

Racing in the United States for the first time in nearly two years, Hoffman celebrated with a victory in the men’s 15-kilometer freestyle on a bluebird day as the 24-year-old from Aspen, Colo., skied the course in 37 minutes, 23 seconds, to claim his second SuperTour victory of his career.

The win didn’t come easy for Hoffman, a six-year member of the U.S. Ski Team and one of the world’s best distance skiers. He beat Alaskan strongman, Scott Patterson, by only 10.9 seconds.

Scott Patterson challenged and settled for 2nd © Rob Whitney

“On a race like this, anyone who gets close to Hoffman is having a really good day,” said SuperTour leader Reese Hanneman, a member of the Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center who finished at 1:31 behind Hoffman for eighth place.

Near the halfway point, Hoffman heard a report that Patterson was unofficially two seconds ahead of him. “I knew I was close and I just tried to stay consistent and attack the hills,” Hoffman said. “The hills come in the second half of the lap, which is good for me because I tend to wait and attack.

SuperTour leader Reese Hanneman © Rob Whitney

Hoffman called the course unique from what he has raced all winter. “World Cup courses tend to have a very manufactured feeling,” he said. “They’re wide and the hills are long and steep, whereas this course has more turns and no recovery area — no place to place to tuck and recover. It takes a different strategy, but it’s a really fun course to ski.”

Erik Bjornsen takes 3rd © Rob Whitney

Patterson, a University of Vermont senior who grew up in Anchorage and won the coveted Alaska State Skimeister award three years in a row for South High School, lost his unofficial lead, but finished with an impressive silver medal at 37:34.

“It was a tight battle out there with Hoffman,” Patterson said. “I’m a little disappointed I couldn’t nudge him off the top. I thought I skied well. But I’m happy because we were way in front of the next guys.”

David Norris © Rob Whitney

Finishing third and nearly a minute behind Patterson was U.S. Ski Team’s Erik Bjornsen (38:23), followed by Alaskan David Norris (38:26).

Hoffman gave props to Patterson for challenging him. “Scott’s a great skier and I’m psyched he skied so well today,” Hoffman said. “It’s obvious the domestic field has gotten stronger. It’s no guarantee we (Olympians) will be on the podium this week.”

Men's final podium © Rob Whitney

After graduation, Patterson has plans to become a professional Nordic skier. Although his first goal is to compete at the World Championships, he believes he passed his first test on Saturday.

“We never get to race the U.S. Ski Team guys,” Patterson said. “This is our one shot. So hopefully the U.S. Ski Team will look at (the results) and see some good things.”

Full results here.