March 1, 2009 (Liberec, Czech Republic) – Petter Jr. Northug (Nor) has won the men’s 50km Skate Mass Start in a thrilling finish to the Nordic World Championships in Liberec. Canada’s Ivan Babikov finished in 16th and was up with the leaders as high as 5th place with about 10km to go. The lead changed several times as the finish line approached with world cup distance leader, Pietro Piller Cottrer (Ita) leading the charge at about 5km to go. Northug and team mate Tord Asle Gjuerdalen surged to the front and then Germany’s Tobias Angerer made a move near the end, but Northug’s strong finishing skills prevailed.

Competing in his first World Championships as a Canadian, the Canmore, Alta. resident had to overcome two crashes and a broken pole to maintain his position with the world’s elite. Babikov completed the 50-kilometre marathon with a time of one hour 59 minutes 53.8 seconds – just 13 seconds off the medal-winning pace.

“I had a tough day today with the crashes and broken pole,” said Babikov, who won a gold medal in the pursuit race at the Tour de Ski earlier this year, which is one of the most grueling races on the international calendar. “It’s tough any time you crash because you use up so much energy, but it makes it even tougher in a race this long. I got passed by so many people and had to ski much harder to get back to the front. It makes it really difficult.”

Full results here.

Results (brief)

1. Petter Jr. Northug (Nor) 1:59:38.1
2. Maxim Vylegzhanin (Rus) 1:59:38.8
3. Tobias Angerer (Ger) 1:59:40.1
4. Giorgio di Centa (Ita) 1:59:42.
5. Sergei Dolidovich (Blr) 1:59:43.7

16. Ivan Babikov (Can) 1:59:53.8
39. James Southam (USA) 2:06:15.2
40. Christopher Butler (Can) 2:07:45.6
44. Garrott Kuzzy (USA) 2:09:34.7