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RUMFORD, Maine (Jan. 3) — CHAMPIONSHIPS: SWENSON EARNS NINTH TITLE, DUSSAULT GETS SECOND
Racers Outlast Varying Weather and Cold at Black Mountain
RUMFORD, Maine (Jan. 3) — Two-time Olympian Carl Swenson (Boulder, CO) braved a light but relentless, chilling rain Saturday to collect his ninth title – his first in classic technique, winning the 30K CL as the Chevrolet U.S. Cross Country Championships opened with record-breaking numbers. Rebecca Dussault (Gunnison, CO), returning to racing this season and making a determined run at the SuperTour title, earned her second gold medal in winning the women's 15K CL.
“I've skied here a lot,” said Swenson, who grew up about 90 minutes away in North Conway, N.H., “and I know this course. I know these hills.”
 silver medalist (1:17.49.50). The bronze medal went to Chad Giese (St. Paul, MN), who finished in 1:18.52.0.<br />
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A weary Flora said, “I'm glad this one's behind us. I'm tired…really tired.”
Dussault, 23, who raced at Black as a junior in 1999 before getting married and having a baby, was the women's champion with a time of 46:22.1. It was her second title, pairing with the 5K freestyle crown she won in 2000 at Soldier Hollow, Utah.
 was the second U.S. finisher in 47:42.1 with the bronze medal going to Aubrey Smith (Seward, AK) in 48:53.6. Czech Martina Stursova, a student at the University of New Mexico, had the fastest women's time and won the Guest Class in 46:17.8; only U.S. skiers are considered for medals.</p><p>“The first couple of Ks on the second lap, I had a hard time,” Dussault said. “I haven't done a 15K classic for years.”</p><p>Dussault attacked Rumford's hills</p><p>She also noted this was her third race in the last week, having won two SuperTour races in Presque Isle, so perhaps she was more tired than she realized. “I charged those hills as hard as I could,” she said.</p><p>Wagner, who won both CL titles a year ago in Rumford, said she had a similar experience. “I was looking at those hills and thinking, 'This is where I'm gonna put some time on those other girls…and the first I got had me 20 seconds back, and I kept losing time. I don't know what it was.”</p><p>U.S. Nordic Director Luke Bodensteiner was pleased with the racing but, in light of the weather and the record turnout of about 570 registrants, was happy to have the first day of racing complete.</p></div><div class=)
“Chisholm Ski Club did its usual great job. We've seen tough condition before and they just keep making it happen. Roger [Arsenault, head of the organizers] and Chummy [Broomhall, chief of competition] and all the rest of them,” Bodensteiner said, “know how to deal with tough situations. It's incredible what they do.”
The next races are Monday with the men's 10K classic and the women's 5K CL, followed Tuesday by freestyle races at the same distances.
Full Results:
US Nationals Men 30 km Classic
US Nationals Women 15 km Classic
CHEVROLET U.S. CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Rumford, Maine – Jan. 3
(Only U.S. skiers considered for medals)
Men's 30K Classic
1. Carl Swenson, Boulder, Colo., 1:16.49.1
2. Lars Flora, Anchorage, Alaska, 1:17.49.5
3. Chad Giese, St. Paul, Minn., 1:18.52.0
4. Dave Chamberlain, Bethel, Maine, 1:19.01.0
5. Chris Cook, Rhinelander, Wis., 1:19.23.4
6. Justin Freeman, Andover, N.H., 1:19.30.3
7. Andrew Johnson, Greensboro, Vt., 1:19.51.6
8. Torin Koos, Leavenworth, Wash., 1:20.52.4
9. Ethan Foster, Weston, Vt., 1:22.16.4
10. Patrick Weaver, Newmarket, N.H., 1:22.55.0
     —
Women's 15K Classic
1. Rebecca Dussault, Gunnison, Colo., 46:22.1
2. Wendy Wagner, Park City, Utah, 47:42.1
3. Aubrey Smith, Seward, Alaska, 48:53.6
4. Nicole Deyong, Anchorage, Alaska, 49:08.4
5. Alison Crocker, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 49:12.1
6. Tara Sheahan Boulder, Colo., 49:20.5
7. Lindsey Weier, Mahtomedi, Minn., 49:37.1
8. Hilary Patzer, Sun Valley, Idaho, 49:40.6
9. Kelly Milligan, Park City, Utah, 49:41.7
10. Rachel Daw, Duluth, Minn., 49:57.8
