December 16, 2012 (Canmore, AB) – It took panache and precision skiing to win the men’s 30km Skiathlon (15kmCL+15kmFR) on Sunday as a charged group dared each other at the front as several suprise moves kept skiers on their toes and fans on the edge of their seats. North Americans were transfixed as the USA’s Noah Hoffman skied near the front for the entire race as did Canada’s Ivan Babikov and American Kris Freeman.

Hoffman © Robert Whitney

It came down to the final uphill as Italy’s Roland Clara tried to get clear but France’s Maurice Manificat was ready and soon surpassed the Italian in the final sprint to the line as Hoffman, Tobias Angerer (Ger), Sjur Roethe (Nor) in the lead chase group tried in vain to reel him in. Clara settled for second with Roethe taking the final podium spot.

The Hoff crossed the line in 8th for his best-ever World Cup distance result. His veteran teammate, Kris Freeman, landed in 10th for his PB result in the 30km Skiathlon with Babikov in 12th, his best result this year.

“It was a really fun race today. My classic skis were incredible, maybe the best in the race. I owe a huge thanks to my techs. I wanted to ski up near the front because the pace is more consistent and I am more relaxed up there,” Hoffman told SkiTrax post-race.

“I felt really good, relaxed, and controlled. My goal was to stay under control and be patient. I was able to do that well. I am really happy with the way the race turned out,” he added.

Freeman © Robert Whitney

Freeman hung strategically back in the chase pack before moving up to finish tenth. “I felt nice and calm and controlled the whole way. At the end there I lost a little contact on the last hill, and then I got it back and I felt like I was moving forward in the group. I’m glad I picked off [Giorgio] Di Centa at the line. Tenth is a whole lot cooler than 11th,” said the Andover, NH skier.

Babikov was the lone A-Team skier for Canada as Devon Kershaw and Alex Harvey took a break from the daunting schedule they’ve been following – read more here – to rest up for the Tour de Ski. Skiing at the front of the pack, Babikov bridged to two Russian skiers, Evgeniy Belov and Alexander Bessmertnykh, who had escaped as they took a run for the podium.

Ivan Babikov (CAN) leads Evgeniy Belov (RUS) © Pam Doyle

“You can never predict what is going to happen out there. I tried to bridge the gap on the two guys breaking away, but when you are out there by yourself trying to keep the pack away it is really hard. I tried – what can I say? It is still an awesome result,” said Babikov.

Fans loved it but it wasn’t to be as Bessmertnykh crashed on the downhill leading to the finish and the two were soon caught but the charging pack. Then Petter Eliassen (NOR) tried his luck but Hoffman kept the pace hard behind and Eliassen folded his cards as he was caught with 3km to go.

Soon after Clara made his bid for glory but the gods were not smiling on him as Manificat ended up ruling the day with a smart and precise move over the final climb to pass Clara and claim his first World Cup win since 201o.

Maurice Manificat (FRA) battling it out for gold © Pam Doyle

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Graham Nishikawa had the race of his life. A fourth-year member of the national development team, the Whitehorse native had his best-ever World Cup finish in 15th.

Graham Nishikawa (CAN) © Pam Doyle

“Today was definitely my career best world cup result and it was awesome to do it in Canmore with my family watching. I was happy to execute my race plan and hang in with the leaders. Felt great and had really good skis.  Overall it was great day and I’m happy for my sister as well,” said Nishikawa.

Full results HERE.