February 15, 2010 (Sapporo, Japan) – North American skiers put on a great show on Sunday led by the USA’s Seth Downs from Anchorage, AK who won the men’s 50km freestyle race at the 30th Anniversary Sapporo Ski Marathon, part of the FIS World Loppet Series. Canada’s Louise Martineau and Louise Poirier were second and 3rd in the women’s 50km race.

Beautiful conditions welcomed participants, as the event hosted a total of 2,536 skiers for the 50km and 25km events. The start and finish was the Sapporo Dome, site of the Opening Ceremonies for the 2007 Nordic World Ceremonies, and the trails were in the vicinity of the former Nishioka Olympic Memorial cross-country skiing courses.

Among the 88 international skiers from 16 countries, was Mr. Andrus Ansip, Prime Minister of Estonia, who competed in the 50-kilometer freestyle event during an official state trip to Japan. He met with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama the day after the marathon.

Ansip will also compete in the 63km Tartu ski marathon in Estonia on Feb. 21, and the 50km Bieg Piastow in Poland on March 7, said his spokeswoman, Liina Lepik. “Hard training and attending marathons have been always an essential part of his life,” Lepik said, adding that Ansip covered all the costs of competing in the marathons out of his own pocket.

Full results for the 25km and 50km http://www.i-sam.co.jp/10sapxc/index.htm

Results (brief)

Men – 50km
1. Seth Downs (Anchorage, AK; USA) 2:32:19
2. Tetsushi Takada, 2:33:00.3
3. Takahior Kubo, 2:36.09.4
273. Claude Laramee (CAN) 3:58:14.1

Women – 50km
1. Belinda Philips (AUS)3:06:56
2. Louise Martineau (CAN) 3:11:27.3
20. Louise Poirier (CAN) 4:06.10.0

Men – 25km
1. Hideto Miyazaki(JPN)1:07:15
149. Jerrold Frank (USA) 2:00:40.8
256. John Williams (CAN) 2:20:09.8

25kmWomen:
1. Akemi Furuya(JPN)1:24:47