Diggins, Elliott Strike Gold
By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 5 2012
RUMFORD, ME (Jan. 5) - Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) of Team CXC picked up her second title of the week while Ski and Snowboard Club Vail's Tad Elliott (Durango, CO) took a third career U.S. gold in day two of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Black Mountain in Rumford. Elliott took a close win in the men's 15kk freestyle while Diggins had a big margin in taking second gold in the 10k. Action continues Friday with 30k and 20k classic mass start events.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Third career title for Tad Elliott in the 15k freestyle, defending his 2011 title.
- Third career title for Jessie Diggins and second of the week.
- Elliott won with his signature race-winning final lap, similar to his Davos World Cup performance in December when he cracked the top 30.
- The win was another major stepping stone for Diggins, who will head to the World Cup next week starting with a sprint in Milan.
- Team CXC's Matt Liebsch (Plymouth, MN), who won the American Birkebeiner in 2010, took a huge jump with a silver for his second U.S. Championships podium and first since 2009.
- Ski and Snowboard Club Vail's Sylvan Ellefson (Vail, CO) took bronze as well as jumping into the overall SuperTour lead.
- Team CXC's Caitlin Gregg (Warren, VT), third overall but second American, took silver.
- APU Nordic's Kate Fitzgerald (Palmer, AK) had another breakthrough finish to take bronze.
- Action continues Friday with a men's 30k and women's 20k classic mass start events.
RESULTS
Official Results