February 23, 2014 (Hayward, WI) – Germany’s Tom Reichelt won the men’s race while the USA’s Caitlin Gregg secured her third victory in the women’s competition at the 41st American Birkebeiner on Feb. 22nd.

In Europe where one has to go high up or know the few special places which still have a lot of snow, the area between Cable and Hayward in Wisconsin (USA) looked like a winter dream after another snow storm right before the weekend brought another 40cm of new snow.

Men's podium © Worldloppet

Blue sky and temperatures around -17°C at the start as well as a strong wind from the front awaited the over 7,000 skiers who were on the start line of the 41st edition of the American Birkebeiner in Cable. After skiing a total of 50km  (skate) and 54km (classic) the participants were greeted by many spectators at the famous finish on Main Street in Hayward. It was a perfect finish after a long stroll through the forest and along rolling hills.

The women’s skating technique race (which figured as FIS MC as did the men’s skating technique race) started 20 minutes in front of the men’s race, but the best woman came into the finish not long after the best men. A strong effort especially in the hard conditions as today.

A group of  the best 10 men were skiing together until a couple of kilometres before the finish. Then half of them dropped while the other five continued to battle in a finish sprint for the three podium spots. Benoit Chauvet (FRA), who had hoped to be able to grab the lead in the overall FIS Marathon Cup after this race, was one of the ones who had to let go, whereas his fellow countryman Christoph Perrillat, who was leading the pack from time to time, went on hoping to get on the podium but when Perrillat got onto Main Street his legs wouldn’t let him fight for one of the top three spots. In the end he finished fifth.

Sergio Bonaldi (ITA), last year’s winner, got to the finish stretch in fourth and was still hoping to be able to outsprint Tom Reichelt (GER), who was leading into Main Street. However, his team mate Simone Paredi and Reichelt wouldn’t allow it so Bonaldi finished third this year. With his victory, Reichelt won his first FIS Marathon Cup in his first season on the long distance race circuit.

Women's podium © Worldloppet

On the women’s side, it was Caitlin Gregg (USA) who took her chance when the best men came and passed her and Antonalla Confortola (ITA). She pushed hard and gave everything to stay with the men. She succeeded and got a pretty good gap between her and Confortola. Gregg brought her lead into the finish where she celebrated her 3rd victory in the American Birkebeiner – a new record on the women’s side for this race! The Italian Confortola secured her second place while Rosie Brennan (USA) pushed hard to keep her followers apart and finished third.

The Birkie celebration won’t stop for several hours as more and more people will gather around Main Street, in the pubs and restaurants to cheer on those who still have not crossed the finish line yet. The big podium ceremony will be held in the evening  followed by a big party in the Sealey Saw Mill – a tradition everyone who skis the American Birkebeiner gets to know!

(l) Tom Reichelt (GER) and Antonella Confortolla (ITA) © Worldloppet

Reichelt and Confortola (ITA) new leaders in the overall FIS Marathon Cup

After today’s American Birkebeiner, the overall FIS Marathon Cup has new leaders on the men’s as well as on the women’s side. With his victory today, Tom Reichelt from Germany gained the lead in the men’s ranking with 208 points in front of Martin Koukal (CZE, 197 points) and Benoit Chauvet (FRA,187 points).

Antonella Confortola (ITA), the second in todays’s race, took over the overall FIS Marathon Cup ranking which she now leads with 209 points in front of Riita-Liisa Roponen (FIN, 200 points) and Julia Tikhonova (RUS, 180 points).

As the next FIS Marathon Cup, the Engadin Skimarathon (SUI) on March 9 will be this year’s final, there will be a big battle for the overall ranking since all racers are pretty close together.

Next week’s FIS Marathon Cup Bieg Piastow (POL) had to be cancelled due to lack of snow!!!

The complete result list from today’s race & overall FIS Marathon Cup standing here.

The statements of the top 3

1st Tom Reichelt (GER):
It’s a wonderful feeling to win the American Birkebeiner here in Hayward. For me it’s my first time here and it’s also my first victory in the FIS Marathon Cup. And that I do lead now the overall as well…it’s simply amazing. I am really happy. The race today was tough. The speed was relatively high for the conditions. When we came to the lake our group split up to 5 people. That was right before Hayward and when we got into Main Street and the finish, I just pushed on. I felt very confident and believed in myself. I am really happy that it worked out with the victory.

2nd Simone Paredi (ITA):
It’s my first time here at the American Birkebeiner and I really enjoyed it. Even though the race was very hard, especially with the hard wind we had to face quite often and the cold temperatures. I tried to catch Tom in the finish sprint, but he was just too strong for me. But I am really happy with my second place!!

3rd Sergio Bonaldi (ITA):
I am really satisfied with my race today even though I surely hoped to win again after my victory last year. However, on Main Street, I simply didn’t have enough power left to pass Simone and Tom, so I am happy that I could ensure the third place. I am also pretty happy to be on the podium with Simone – our whole team did a great job, especially with Antonella gaining another podium place for us!

1st Caitlin Gregg (USA):
I am really happy that I could win again this year. It was not so easy but it was my goal after I hadn’t made the Olympic Team. It was a tough race today, especially with the wind blowing strongly over the lake right before the finish. When the men passed us I just thought I have to give it a go and so I pushed hard to stay with them. That worked out pretty well and when I saw Matt Liebsch he said to me: If you feel good, just try to stay with me and we’ll do it. That was just the right thing to do and exactly the help I needed. I am really really happy and I hope to be able to ski many more Birkies!

2nd Antonella Confortola (ITA):
I was skiing close to Caitlin half of the race but when the men came and passed us, she caught the train and followed them whereas I stayed behind. In general it was not easy to get away. I was also very afraid of the cold since I really had problems after a race two years ago. But when the next men came I thought I will just do the same and I did. That was a very good idea. However, over the lake right before the finish, it was very cold and very windy. So I am very happy that it worked out with a second place for me today!

3rd Rosie Brennan (USA):
It was a tough race but I am really happy to be third today. The Birkie is always something special for us Americans, so it’s great to be on the podium here. The weather was nice, even though the wind was blowing very strongly in some palces and made the low temperatures feel even colder. But all the people cheering you on on Main Street right to the finish, this just a great feeling and makes it worthwile the effort!

Important dates and practical information

Please find pictures of the race on the Worldloppet Facebook page!

Next FIS Marathon Cup:

March 9: Engadin Skimarathon (SUI) – 6th FIS Marathon Cup 2013-14 / 42km FT – FIS Marathon Cup FINAL

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