Flora and Whitcomb Win Mt. Itasca Super Tour
By Brian Gregg
Lars Flora of Subaru Factory Team led today’s 10km interval start classical race from start to finish in 24:37.6, leading every split on the 4 X 2.5km course, nearly 40 seconds over second place Zach Violett of FsX. University of Alaska Fairbanks skiers Marius Korthauer of Germany and Vahur Teppan of Estonia tied for 3rd place. The two college skiers were over a minute ahead of the next collegiate competitor. CXC teammates Garrott Kuzzy and Bryan Cook finished 5th and 6th respectively. Henri Soom was the top junior in the field finishing 21st overall. Joe Dubay was the top J1. Flora holds his SuperTour Overall Leader bib.
Kate Whitcomb of FsX won her first SuperTour of the season completing the 5km course in 14:24.3. Martina Stursova of Rossignol and the Czech Republic came in second and Caitlin Compton of CXC finished 3rd. Kristina Strandberg finished 4th just ahead of Aurelia Korthauer of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the top collegiate skier. Tami Kochen of Atomic was 6th. Elizabeth Quinley of Michigan Tech topped the junior field and finished 12th overall. Lindsey Marshall was the top J1. Compton recaptures the Overall SuperTour leader bib from her CXC teammate Laura Valaas.
Quotes from Winners:
“I started the first lap pretty conservative. I still haven’t been feeling 100 percent in the morning before the races, but I felt good after the first lap. The course was in great shape, although it skis a bit choppy for classic. I am looking forward to tomorrow’s freestyle race.â€
-Lars Flora
“I felt great. I have been focusing on this race since I was second in it last year. I was more prepared for this race than others so far this season. I really wanted it today.â€
-Kate Whitcomb

