November 14, 2010 (Muonio, Finland) – The USA’s Kris Freeman landed on the podium again claiming second in the men’s 10km freestyle race on Sunday only 8s behind winner Sergey Shiriaev (RUS) with Tim Tscharnke (GER) claiming third. “It felt good out there today and sure it’s a confidence builder being on the podium again,” said Freeman. “But the real test is next weekend on the World Cup.

“It’s my best World Cup warm up – yesterday I was given some splits but not during today’s race. I love a 10km course and today felt smooth. It’s also great to see a larger group of American skiers here and skiing well – I hope it’s a sign of things to come,” added Freeman.

American Noah Hoffman (USST) also had a strong day finishing in 25th just ahead of Leif Orin Zimmermann in 27th and Glenn  Randall in 36th both with the Bridger Ski Foundation. According to coach Will Sweetser from Maine Winter Sports Center Randall may well have had his “…best fast course skate race ever today. Just ahead of Italy’s Giorgio DiCenta!”

While the course was not up to World Cup standards still it was a great day for Team USA. “The American men, in general, seemed to be awake,” added Sweetser. “The intensity that our top four or five guys brought to the course was visible. It was really great to see the U.S. moving up through what is essentially, a near World Cup field.”

In the women’s 10km Italy’s Arianna  Follis topped the field with Olga  Mikhailova  (RUS) in second and Finland’s  Riitta-Liisa  Roponen taking third on the podium. Liz Stephen led the American women in 22nd followed soon after by Morgan Arritola in 29th. According to Sweetse both Stephen and Arritola said that today felt a lot better than yesterday. “They seem on the upswing and pleased to be feeling closer to “normal” already,” said Sweetser.

Kikkan Randall was not on the start line saying, “Didn’t race today – two starts was enough for an opening weekend!” Hannah Dreissigacker with the Craftsbury Green Racing Project placed 60th leading the non-USST skiers.

“Kris is obviously fit at the outset of this season. Of course, those of us from New England knew that a few weeks ago when he set a new Moosilauke Hill Climb record,” continued Sweetser. “But Kris is not alone, the talk in the dining hall is all ‘America’. Kikkan, Kris, Andy, Ida – they’re all making us proud.”

Tomorrow is a well-earned day off for Freeman – his first in awhile he says – as the US World Cup skiers then prepare for next weekend’s WCup kick off in Gallivare, Sweden while the rest of the US crew will race at the Finnish Cups in Rovaniemi.

Full results HERE.

Results (brief)

Women

1.  Arianna  Follis  (ITA)  25:57.1
2.  Olga  Mikhailova  (RUS)  26:06.1
3.  Riitta-Liisa  Roponen  (FIN)  26:10.4
4.  Evi  Sachenbacher-Stehle  (GER)  26:22.5
5.  Krista  Lahteenmaki  (FIN)  26:25.9

22.  Elizabeth  Stephen  (USA)  27:10.5
29.  Morgan  Arritola  (USA)  27:23.9
60.  Hannah  Dreissigacker  (USA)  28:33.6
80.  Liza  Goodwin  (USA)  29:25.1
89.  Chelsea  Little  (USA)  30:14.0
100.  Lauren  Jacobs  (USA)  31:30.8
103.  Adele  Espy  (USA)  31:52.3

Men

1.  Sergey  Shiriaev  (RUS)  22:37.9
2.  Kris  Freeman  (USA)  22:45.1
3.  Tim  Tscharnke  (GER)  22:47.6
4.  Alexey  Slepov  (RUS)  22:47.8
5.  Pietro  Piller Cottrer  (ITA)  22:57.7

25.  Noah  Hoffman  (USA)  23:26.4
27.  Leif Orin  Zimmermann  (USA)  23:26.8
36.  Glenn  Randall  (USA)  23:41.4
79.  Tim  Reynolds  (USA)  24:32.1
117.  Dylan  Mcguffin  (USA)  25:06.1
122.  Patrick  O’Brien  (USA)  25:11.5
124.  Matthew  Briggs  (USA)  25:12.7
147.  Oliver  Burruss  (USA)  25:39.2
159.  Fred  Bailey  (USA)  25:50.9
181.  Michael  Lessard  (USA)  26:26.6