February 25, 2012 (Haywood, Wisconsin) –  Here are the full results from the 39th American Birkebeiner part of the Worldloppet, held today from Cable to Haywood in great conditons, where Tad Elliott (CXC) was the first skier across the line solo, in 2:04:48.5, to claim his first Birkie win in the men’s 50km FR. Elliott was second two years ago and we clearly elated to knotch the victory.

Matt Liebsch (Team Strong Heart/Team Birkie), who won in 2009, finished second followed by Brian Gregg (CXC) in third in tight race with Canada’s Michael Somppi who settled for 4th a scant 0.2s behind.

In the women’s race it was Holly Brooks (APU) entering the record books with her first win at the Birkie as well edging out Caitlin Gregg (CXC), the defending champ, by a mere 0.5s. Gregg’s teammate Jenny Bender claimed the final podium spot.

In the classic races the men’s initially proclaimed winner was Joe Dubay (Saint Scholastica) taking the 54km CL contest over David Chamberlain in second with Norwegian strongman and Chairman of the FIS Cross-Country Committee, Vegard Ulvang, in third.

But Dubay, from Minnesota, was later disqualified for not wearing his proper bib. Apparently the bib he wore belonged to his Saint Scholastica teammate Chris Parr thus giving the win to Chamberlain with Ulvang moving up to second and Canada’s Murray Carter from St Anne, MB, only 1s behind Ulvang, grabbing third.

In the women’s 54km CL, local favourite from Hayward, Carol Ocariz, gave CXC another Birkie podium winning the women’s 54km CL with a convincing margin of 2-min over Canada’s Brandy Stewart (who lives in Bozeman), in second, followed by Hilary Patzer (St Paul) in third.

Vegard Ulvang interview at the finish HERE
Watch the Skate Finish LIVE HERE and more footage HERE.

Full Skate results HERE.
Full Classic results HERE.

39th American Birkebeiner Results (brief)

FR 50km Women
1. Holly Brooks (APU) 2:18:53.2
2. Caitlin Gregg (CXC) 2:18:53.7
3. Jenny Bender (CXC) 2:21:46.4

FR 50km Men
1. Tad Elliott (CXC) 2:04:48.5
2. Matt Liebsch (Team Birkie) 2:05:02.3
3. Brian Gregg (CXC) 2:05:03.4
4. Michael Somppi (CAN) 2:05:03.6

CL 54km Women
1. Carol Ocariz (CXC) 3:03:10.9
2. Brandy Stewart (Bozeman)  3:05:20.1
3. Hilary Patzer (St Paul) 3:05:50.0

CL 54km Men
1. David Chamberlain (BNS) 2:51:15.2
2. Vegard Ulvang (NOR) 2:51:17.1
3. Murray Carter (CAN) 2:51:18.1

DSQ Joe Dubay (Saint Scholastica)