November 24, 2007 (West Yellowstone, MT) – Semi-local Leif Zimmermann, who learned to ski fast not far away in Bozeman, won the first distance race of the USSA SuperTour season Saturday – a 16km classic test – by 8.7 seconds over 2006 Olympic teammate Andrew Johnson.

In the women’s 8km race, veteran Kristina Strandberg skied away with a 51-second victory. Her winning time was 22:01.3 while Laura Valaas – who won Friday’s opening sprint race on the Rendezvous Trails at the Yellowstone Ski Festival – was second (22:52.0).

Polina Ermoshina of the University of New Mexico (Strandberg’s alma mater) was third, just two-tenths back of Valaas in the field of 91 racers. And another 0.9 off the pace was the U.S. Ski Team’s Lindsay Williams in fourth place.

Zimmermann, who was hobbled a year ago by mononucleosis, said he focused on the flats during the four-lap race rather than the lone – but minimal – climb “because it’ so easy to lose time on the flats.” His winning time was 38:31.7 with Johnson, who started right behind him, second in 38:40.4 and ex-Dartmouth All-American Ben True completing the podium in 38:45.7.

Some of the loudest cheers of the day came from family, friends and Bozeman Ski Foundation members who made the one-hour drive to lend their support to Zimmerman. “I had a lot of support,” he smiled, “and that always helps. I’ve trained down here quite a bit – Thanksgiving and falls camps.

“This is a cool way to start the season,” he said, adding it’s a major boost toward his top goal this winter” qualifying to race in the World Cup events Jan. 22-26 in Canmore, Alberta.

U.S. Coach Matt Whitcomb had more high words for the race organizers, pointing out they added a fourth loop to the men’s race to increase the vertical climb and make it more challenging. “These organizers aren’t just running races. They’re improving the quality of the race by being creative, rather than simply running a 15km, or whatever. It’s been terrific.”

The next SuperTour races will be Dec. 8-9 in Bozeman. There will be classic technique sprints plus a men’s 15km and women’s 10km skate race.

Results (brief)

Women – 10km

1. Kristina Strandberg (Factory Team) 1 22:01.3 0
2. Laura Valaas (USST/APUNSC) 50.7
3. Polina Ermoshina (University of New Mexico) 50.9
4. Lindsay Williams (USST/NMU) 51.8
5. Ida Sargent (Dartmouth College) 59.1

Men – 15km

1. Leif Zimmermann (USST/Bridger Ski Foundation) 38:31.7 0
2. Andrew Johnson (Park City, TN) 8.7
3. Benjamin True (Hanover, NH) 14.0
4. Garrott Kuzzy (CxC)18.2
5. Michael Sinnott (Sun Valley SEF) 18.9

Click here for complete race results.