November 25, 2016 (West Yellowstone, MT) – Katherine Ogden (Stratton Mountain) topped the women’s field in their 5km FR contest while Patrick Caldwell (SMS T2) ruled in the men’s 10km race with a decisive 26.7s margin at the line as the season got underway in the US at the West Yellowstone Festival following Thanksgiving celebrations.
Czech skier Petra Hyncicova (University of Colorado) battled for second behind Ogden at 11.8s back with Erika Flowers just 1.5s behind in third as Elizabeth Guiney (Craftsbury) claimed 4th and Jennie Bender (BSF) was 5th all within 30s of the winner.
The men’s race was a battle for the twp podium spots behind Caldwell as Rogan Brown (Sun Valley) claimed 2nd with Mads Stroem (University of Colorado) in third at 5s in arrears just nipping Jack Hegman (Sun Valley) in 4th by .2s. Just over a second behind in 5th was Benjamin Lustgarten (Craftsbury) in 5th.