March 8, 2008 (Oslo, Norway) – Kris Freeman from Andover, NH led the North American charge on Saturday at the famous and enormously popular Holmenkollen Ski Festival, finishing 44th in a men’s 50km won by Anders Soedergren of Sweden in 2:11:44.7. Lukas Bauer (Cze), World Cup overall and distance leader, finished second in 2:14.17.2.

USA’s Garrott Kuzzy (Hayward, WI) placed 46th just behind Freeman while Canada’s Stefan Kuhn finished 53rd. “It was really slow wet mushy snow. I started out not feeling very good and that’s how I stayed the whole race,” said Freeman in a USSA release. “It was a disappointing day. The only real shining spot was that I managed to finish and about a fifth of the field didn’t.”

Valentina Schevchenko of the Ukraine won the women’s 30km free technique over Charlotte Kalla (Swe) in second with Claudia Nystad (Ger) in third. With the win Schevchenko moved into the lead of the World Cup distance standings. No U.S. or Canadian women competed.

Results

Men

1. Anders Soedergren (Swe) 2:11:44.7
2. Lukas Bauer (Cze) 2:14:17.2
3. Remo Fischer (Sui) 2:14:46.7
4. Vincent Vittoz (Fra) 2:14:46.9
5. Pietro Piller Cottrer (Ita) 2:15:21.2

44. Kris Freeman (USA) 2:27:04. 6
46. Garrott Kuzzy (USA) 2:27:48.4
53. Stefan Kuhn (Can) 2:32:23.9

Women

1. Valentina Shevchenko (Ukr) 1:24:14.9
2. Charlotte Kalla (Swe) 1:24:29.4
3. Claudia Nystad (Ger) 1:24:33.9
4. Therese Johaug (Nor) 1:24:35.5
5. Marit Bjoergen (Nor) 1:24:57.6


For complete women’s results click here.

For complete men’s results click here.