The fifth running of the Noquemanon Ski Marathon took place on Saturday in Marquette, Michigan.
In the 55km freestyle race, Cory Wubbels who currently lives in Marquette as part of the Northern Michigan University program, made it two for two in American Ski Marathon (ASM) races this season by winning the title, exactly five minutes ahead of the next skier, Adam Swank of Milwaukee. Brian May was third. Despite two impressive victories already in the 2003 ASM series, Wubbels will not get a leg up in the quest for the overall ASM Champions Cup. According to ASM rules, the only races which will count towards the overall title are the Lake Placid Loppet (also held today), Boulder Mountain Tour, Mora Vasaloppet, Minnesota Finlandia, Birkie, and Yellowstone Rendezvous.
In the women's 55 km freestyle, it was much closer at the finish. JoAnn Hanowski (Duluth, MN) managed to edge out three other skiers down the stretch to earn the victory. Following only six seconds back was Vicki Asmus (Plymouth, MN) had to work hard to beat out Diane Tremblay (Hayward, WI). The two finished only 0.5 seconds apart. Sara Russell (Stillwater,MN) also stayed with this pack the whole way to finish fourth, only 14 seconds from first.
Chad Geise (St Paul, MN – Subaru Factory Team) won a very competitive 55 km classic race, taking the win three minutes ahead of NMU skier Matt Weier. Michael Myers was third. Abigail Larson (also of the Subaru Factory Team) won the women's 55 km classic by a whopping 17 minutes. Kelly Skillicorn was second and Joan Rundman third.
