February 20, 2016 (Hayward, Wisconsin) – David Norris of APUNSC took the lead for the first time in the 51km race with two kilometers to go and held off six challengers in the final sprint to the line in downtown Hayward to take the win in his debut year at the American Birkebeiner. With the win, Norris, of Fairbanks, Alaska, will walk home with $10,000 in prize money and a new mattress donated by title sponsor Slumberland.

David Norris wins the men's race © Worldloppet

In second place was Ivan Perrilat Boiteux (FRA) who grabbed the top spot in the FIS World Loppet standings, while third place went to Benoit Chauvet also from France, who continued to build on his season.

“It was great, everything went as good as I could have hoped,” said Norris, “I came off the lake and took it as hard as I could to the line and held on for the win. I wanted to win, of course, and I knew there were a lot of experienced guys out there so I was hoping to just respond to all the moves people made and try to make it to the lake with the leaders and see what I had left on Main Street to fight it out for the win.” In winning, Norris beat the likes of distance veterans Kris Freeman in 8th, and Ivan Babikov, who was recently sent home from the Canadian World Cup team and ended the day in 9th, as well as last year’s winner, Italy’s Sergio Bonaldi, who finished in seventh.

Men's podium © Worldloppet

Norris said he plans to return to his current home of Anchorage, Alaska after the race, and prepare for the Tour of Anchorage marathon. When asked about his chances of getting a spot on the American team for the upcoming Ski Tour Canada, the winner of three of the past five Supertour races (including the Birkebeiner, which counts as half points in the standings), said that he hadn’t been contacted about a spot. “That’s not up to me. I didn’t have a great start to the season but I think I’m coming on strong now,” he said, “I’d love an opportunity but if not I’m gonna focus on doing my best at Spring Series.”

Chauvet, who finished second at last year’s race, made several strong pushes in the last 10 kilometers, but a fall earlier in the race may have taken some of his strength. When asked about whether he thought his moves came too early, Chauvet said no. “I am in good shape on the climbs, but it is hard to make a break in the last seven kilometers,” he said, “I am happy to make the podium today.”

Second-place finisher Boiteux overtook the lead from Chauvet’s teammate, Bastien Poirrer said he was happy to take the FIS Worldloppet Cup lead, but that he’s not sure he can hold it. “I am very happy for the lead today,” he said, “The Worldloppet overall is a big goal for this season, but in two weeks there is a classic race and that is not my strongest technique.”

As the top American, Norris received the Tony Wise bonus of $2500 on top of his $7500 for the Birkebeiner win. The mattress, donated by Slumberland, was also awarded to the top American finisher. “I’m super excited to get a new one from a wrapper with no chance of bed bugs!” said Norris, “All my previous mattresses in the past few years were from Craigslist.”

Results here and the FIS Worldloppet Cup standings on here.