March 24, 2010 (Fort Kent, ME) – The new snow may have created slow conditions for most people, but Canada’s Ivan Babikov feeds on challenge. He went out today and won the U.S. National XC Ski Championship’s 50km Freestyle event in a time of 2hours and 4.9 seconds. However, the title of U.S. Champion goes to Tad Elliott (CXC), who finished 2nd just 17.8 seconds behind Babikov. Second U.S. finisher was Lars Flora of APU, 30.5seconds behind Babikov. Then there was a gap back to bronze medalist, Bryan Cook of CXC, at +2:25.2 seconds.

Today’s 50km was a test of pace and endurance that some of the early leaders could not pass. Brian Gregg (CXC), James Southam (APU), and Garrott Kuzzy (CXC) were in the lead pack fo

r the first half of the race, only to finish 6th-8th, over three to four minutes back.

Tomorrow is a rest day, highlighted by a Fast and Female presented by Best Buy event at the Madawaska Elementary School. Then on Friday, March 26 the SuperTour heads to Madawaska, ME, at the Four Seasons

Lodge.

Unofficial results here.

More photos here.

Results (brief)
1.    Ivan Babikov (Foothills/ CAN), 2:00:04.9
2.    Tad Elliott (CXC/USA) +17.8
3.    Lars Flora (APU/USA) +30.5
4.    Bryan Cook (CXC/USA) +2:15.2
5.    Gordon Jewett (Alberta WC Academy/CAN) +3:46.5
6.    Brian Gregg (CXC/USA) +3:47.8
7.    James Southam (APU/USA) 4:34.1
8.    Garrott Kuzzy (CXC/USA)4:48.6
9.    Glenn Randall (Bridger Ski Foundation/USA) 5:07.7
10.    Noah Hoffman (USST) +5:15.6