CROSS-COUNTRY:

Babikov wins 50 km at U.S. nationals

March 26, 2010 — Cross Country Canada      

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Canada’s Ivan Babikov, fresh from the World Cup Finale in Falun, Sweden, won the U.S. nationals 50 km race Wednesday in Fort Kent, Maine.

Babikov skied with the main group for most of the race before stepping up the pace a notch on the final lap to win by a comfortable margin of 18 seconds over Tad Elliott of Team CXC Vertical Limit. Gord Jewett outsprinted Brian Gregg of the U.S. for fifth position.

In the women's 30 km championship, Brooke Gosling of the Alberta World Cup Academy finished fifth after a busy week of racing at the Haywood Ski Nationals that included Sunday's 30 km classic race. She skied with the pack for the majority of the race, but couldn't manage a strong enough finishing kick, to settle for fifth, six seconds behind the winner, U.S. star Kikkan Randall, and only four seconds from third.

Racing continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday as part of the USSA SuperTour Finals.  SRC