February 24, 2018 (Hayward, WI) – The USA’s Caitlin Gregg (Team Gregg/Madsus) claimed a record 5th title at the 44th American Birkebeiner winning the women’s 50km FR race while Kyle Bratrud from Verona, Wisconsin, was the top American finishing third in the men’s 50km competition won by Norway’s Anders Gloersen.
Maria Graefnings of Sweden finished second in the women’s race only 2.5 seconds behind Gregg followed by the USA’s Chelsea Holmes (APU) of Girdwood, Alaska in third. In the men’s race France’s Ivan Perrillat-Boiteux took home the silver at 1.9 seconds behind Gloersen. The USA’s David Norris was 5th. The Birkie freestyle races are also the 5th stage of the FIS Worldloppet Cup. American Benjamin Saxton from Lakeville MN won the the men’s 55K Classic race with Cole Morgan (Bozeman, MT), in second and Mathias Rolid, Marquette, MI in third. For the women, Felicia Gesior, Verona, topped the podium followed by Brandy Stewart, Bozeman, MT in second with Josie Nelson, Medicine Lake, MN in third.Worldloppet report here.
Men’s 50km FR results here.
Women’s 50km FR results here.
Classic results here.