Two weeks ago the Worldloppet General Secretary announced the American Birkebeiner as the replacement for the cancelled Tartu Maraton. The best marathon-skiers travelled to Hayward, Wisconsin for the 43rd edition of the American Birkebeiner, but the two best skiers today were already present in the USA: David Norris and Caitlin Gregg. Norris sprinted to victory against second place finisher Ivan Perrillat Boiteux, now the new FIS Worldloppet Cup leader, and the third Benoit Chauvet.

In the ladies race Caitlin Gregg, again from the USA, had a very close final with the old and new FIS Worldloppet Cup leader, Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA). Third place goes to the surprised but very happy Erika Flowers (USA).

In total around 13.000 skiers made their way along the 51 km course from Cable to Hayward. Weather was stable, the track was wet but enough snow for a fair and good competition.

43RD AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER AND ITS WINNERS

In the morning only a few expected to see two US-winners today. The top-favourites of today's race were definitely the French with the two FIS Worldloppet Cup leaders Bastien Porrier and Aurelie Dabudyk, with Benoit Chauvet and also the Italian winner of 2015's American Birkebeiner, Sergio Bonaldi and World Cup veterans Chris Freeman and Ivan Babikov.

The large group containing all the favourites skied much of the course together taking turns keeping the pace high.  Then with 7 km before the finish line Chauvet tried his luck and attacked the group and opened a gap, but Norris closed it soon and so him and a small group of Chauvet, Perrillat, Mougel, Pralong, Wibault and Bonaldi entered the last kilometer together. Only Chauvet and Perrillat were able to follow the high speed of Norris to the finish lane on the main street in Hayward but in the end had no chance against the US skier.

Bastien Porrier the previous Cup leader was able to follow the leading group until the last 10 km and then lost the touch, he stated that he was still jetlaged and quiet tired.

In the ladies race we saw a different picture compared to the previous FIS Worldloppet Cup races in which Aurelie Dabudyk, the FIS Worldloppet Cup leader, always was a class for herself. Today she had very strong company. Until the last kilometers she worked together with five other skiers, only on the lake, the last part of the race, she and Gregg Caitlin attacked and opened a gap. Erika Flowers, who felt strong enough to hold their speed unfortunately skied at the end of the group and was not fast enough to follow the attack. So Dabudyk and Gregg came over the bridge 400m before the finish line together and then Gregg turned on the turbo, no chance for Dabudyk this time. Flowers then was strong enough to sprint to the 3rd place against Elisa Brocard (ITA). 

Aurelie Dabudyk and Ivan Perrillat Boiteux are now the new FIS Worldloppet Cup leaders.

Find the whole results on Birkie Website and the FIS Worldloppet Cup standings on Worldloppet Website.

ATHLETE'S QUOTES, PICTURES, PRESS CONFERENCE

Here are first shots of the race, free to use, Copyright: (c) Worldloppet:

Photo 1: Winners Men

Photo 2: Winners Women

Photo 3: Finish Men

Photo 4: Finish Women - 3rd place

You can also find a video of the Press Conference on our website. First part is in English, second part in French.

ATHLETE QUOTES:

David Norris (USA), 1st place:

Everything went as good as I could have hoped. I came across the lake and just tried to keep my speed and I did it. I knew that there are many experienced skiers and I just hoped to be able to respond to their moves and it worked out. I am super excited.

Ivan Perrillat Boiteux (FRA), 2nd place:

On the first part I never thought that it would be even possible to fight for the victory, so I am satisfied with the 2nd place. We came here as a team - Team Gel Interim Rossignol - and tried to make a fast race and this we managed to do!

Caitlin Gregg (USA), 1st place women:

I am very excited to win the American Birkebeiner for the 4th time. It's a long and challenging course and so many factors are playing a role in this race. Today everything worked out and I am very glad with that.

Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA), 2st place women:

The finish was very hard. Caitlin was very fast and I tried to pass her on the finish stretch but she was simply too strong today. Congratulations to Caitlin.

Bastien Poirrier, previous FIS Worldloppet Cup leader:

At 40 km I was feeling very good but then, for the last 10 km I was broken and it was difficult to finish. I still feel the jetlag, I am tired.

AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER ON WORLDLOPPET-TV

The highlights of today's American Birkebeiner and the FIS Worldloppet Cup stage 5 will be shown on Worldloppet-TV on Sunday at 8:00pm CET on www.worldloppet.com

The next stages of FIS Worldloppet Cup:

Bieg Piastow/POL, 05.03.2016

Engadin Skimarathon/SUI, 13.03.2016

UgraSki marathon/RUS, 02.04.2016

Source: fis-ski.com