February 17, 2014 (St. Paul, MN) – While the globe’s top skiers tested themselves in Sochi at the pinnacle of sporting events, the USSA Battle Creek SuperTour in St. Paul, Minnesota took place this past weekend, Feb. 15-16, for round five of the series, and saw athletes contest two events – the 10/15km CL mass start and the 5/10km FR individual start.

Rosie Brennan © Ian HarveyToko

Rosie Brennan (APU) took the women’s 10km CL crown on Day 1 in a time of 33:23.0, followed in second place by a mere 1.5s by Chelsea Holmes (Sun Valley SEF). Jennie Bender (Bridger Ski Foundation) trailed by 7.7s for the third podium spot.

In the men’s 15km CL, it was Matthew Gelso (Sun Valley SEF) who scored the win, eking out a victory by 1.6s over second place, Benjamin Saxton (Stratton Mountain School), and 1.9s over third place, Michael Sinnott (Sun Valley SEF).

Day 2 featured the 5/10km FR races and saw different faces atop the podium. In the 5km women’s event, it was Caitlin Gregg (LNR/Team Gregg/Madshus) who won in a time of 15 minutes flat, 11s faster than second place, Brennan, who was in a tight battel with third-placed Holmes, winning by a mere 0.4s.

Sylvan Ellefson (SSCV/Team Homegrown) powered to victory in the men’s 10km FR race in a time of 26:19.8 with Gelso 10s back in second place. Sinnott trailed by 36s to take third.

Results

Day 1

Women 10km CL
Men 15km CL

Day 2

Women 5km FR
Men 10km FR