February 21, 2015 (Cable, WI) – After temperatures around -30°C the days before the race, the race day announced to be pretty “warm” with only -13 degrees! Snowfall right before the race made the track softer then initially expected and some athletes had their fight with these conditions. One of them Petr Novak (CZE), the current leader of the overall FIS Marathon Cup. “I had the worst skis of my life! I lost so much on the downhills! It was a mental fight for me all the way through and right until the end,” he confided after the race.

Men's Birkie Podium © Worldloppet

The French Perrillat-Colomb, Chauvet, Wibault, Mougel, Buisson and Gaillard had surely a better day as they were battling for the podium places from start to finish. Continious attacks and speed changes allowed to break up the big pack and at lake Hayward, only four men were left to fight for the three podium spots. In the end it was the Italian Bonaldi who showed the French his backside by having the best tactic for finishing first. Christophe Perrillat-Colomb had to settle for second while Benoit Chauvet took third place right before Mathias Wibault.

On the women’s side, Holly Brooks only had one goal: To win the Birkie again and to get the red bib of the leader in the overall FIS Marathon Cup back from Tatjana Mannima (EST). And she did! However, it was not as easy as she might have liked as Aurelie Dabudyk from France kept up with the speed of Brooks and it was only on lake Hayward that the American took her chance by pushing on as hard as she could, never looking back to see whether or not the French girl was following her.

Women's Birkie Podium © Worldloppet

She was relieved to see that this tactic was the right one, as she crossed the finish line first. Another hard battle started to show between Anja Gruber, a German girl currently studying in the US and racing for her Univserity team, and Tatjana Mannima (EST), who had won the last two FIS Marathon Cup races in classic technique. In the end, the experienced Mannima could overtake the young German and finished third.

Even though he couldn’t race to the podium, Petr Novak (CZE) still leads the overall FIS Marathon Cup after today’s American Birkebeiner. He now leads with 304 points. Second remains Benoit Chauvet (FRA, 255 points) and third now, after his victory today, Sergio Bonaldi (ITA, 187 points).

On the women’s side, Holly Brooks (USA) could claim back the red leader bib from Tatjana Mannima (EST) by winning the American Birkebeiner today. Brooks now leads with 360 points in front of Tatjana Mannima (EST, 327 points) and Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA, 294 points).

The complete result list from today’s race & the actual overall FIS Marathon Cup standings click here.

Quotes from the Top 3

Men

1st Sergio Bonaldi (ITA)
I did not feel so well until 15km before the finish. My skis were also not very good so I tried to stay behind and to wait for the finish sprint. I kept energy for that. Last year I was 3rd and I really wanted to win this time. Only 100 m before the finishline it was clear that I would have the possibility to win. So, I am very happy!

2nd Christophe Perrillat (FRA)
My tactic was to be all the time at the front of the leading group and to work for that. I kept up the speed to have less people with me for the finish sprint. I am very happy to be second today. I had very good skis today, therefore I wanted to be in front and to see what finish would bring.

3rd Benoit Chauvet (FRA)
I tried to break the group of 20 at the first climb  but nobody wanted to work with me. It was easier for HSN (Team Haut Savoie Nordique) as they were 4 of them in the leading group. 15 km before the finish the gaps gradually started to grow. I worked together with Christophe  and there were 4 of us left  in the lead at the lake Hayward. At this point all were thinking about winning the race. I hoped on my sprint abilities.  I failed with the tactics as Sergio was smarter and always stayed behind. I made my finish sprint too early when I tried to be the first on the new bridge. But the finish line was still quite far away. Theefore  I am little bit disappointed to be 3rd as I wanted to win. I have to come back for the victory next year.

Holly Brooks © Worldloppet

Women

1st Holly Brooks (USA)
During most of the race we were 4 girls together. At km 10 it was my first attempt to break away. At the Bitch Hill, when the boys passed, I realized that this was the opportunity to make the break and I was surprised to find Aurelie right behind me. I did not want to leave it to the finish sprint and therefore pushed as hard as I could on lake Hayward. I even did not dare to look back before the finish line to be sure not to loose any seconds. I just kept on pushing as hard as possible. I am really happy that I could win the Birkie again today!

2nd Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA)
I tried to be with Holly all the way and fortunately had the power to follow her. In the end she had some more power left, but I am really happy with my second place.

3rd Tatjana Mannima (EST)
I tried to push hard from the start to see who could hold on to the speed. There were then 4 of us working together and switching the positions. Holly and Aurelie were better on the uphills so they were fighting for the sprint at the 00 point. When the men caught us close to the Bitch Hill, Holly and Aurelie followed them. I could not keep up with their speed and stayed behind. At Lake Hayward I was tryng to stay behind Anja Gruber, as it was pretty windy on the lake. I hoped to pass her before the finishline which I did. I am very happy to be on the podium. My skis were also very good today. My next step before going to Bieg Piastow is to compete in the relay competition at the World Championships in Falun (SWE), where I will ski the FT leg.