Italian skiers claimed four World Cup podium spots today at 15K and 30K pursuit races at the Whistler Olympic Park. The site will play host to all the nordic events during the Vancouver Games next year.Italian skiers claimed four World Cup podium spots today at 15K and 30K pursuit races at the Whistler Olympic Park. The site will play host to all the nordic events during the Vancouver Games next year.

The men’s 30K race was won by Italian Pietro Cottrer Piller, it was his fifth career World Cup win. Joining him on the podium was teammate Valerio Checchi in third.  Second went to French Jean Marc Gaillard. Three more Italian men finished in the top ten.   

Kris Freeman led all American racers finishing the men’s race in 18th place.

"We were really looking for a lot more today. Everything was in place to have a great race. Kris is in awesome shape and we're trying to think why it didn't go better," U.S. Cross Country Head Coach Peter Vordenberg said. "We've been training here, doing camps here and really trying to make this our home venue."

Two more Italians podiumed on the women’s side, Marianna Longa took second followed by Arianna Follis in third. Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk took the victory. Sabina Valbusa and Antonella Confortola also had top-ten finished for Italy.

 Elizabeth Stephen led the American women in 24th, just ahead of teammate Morgan Arritola in 25th.
 
World Cup cross country action rolls on tomorrow in Whistler with men’s and women’s team sprints.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 VIESSMANN CROSS COUNTRY FIS WORLD CUP
Whistler, BC - Jan. 17, 2009
Pursuit

Men's 15K CL +15K FS
1. Pietro Piller Cottrer, Italy, 1:13:01.5
2. Jean Marc Gaillard, France, 1:13:16.5
3. Valerio Checchi, Italy, 1:13:16.8
4. David Hofer, Italy, 1:13:17.4
5. Emmanuel Jonnier, France, 1:13:18.0
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18. Kris Freeman, Andover, NH, 1:15:53.4
22. James Southam, Anchorage, 1:16:39.6
25. Noah Hoffman, Aspen, CO, 1:17:32.7
27. Leif Zimmermann, Bridger Bowl, MT, 1:19:16.6
28. Brenton Knight, Anchorage, 1:19:25.5
30. Lars Flora, Bend, OR, 1:19:51.3
32. Brayton Osgood, OR, 1:21:14.1
34. Matthew Edward Liebsch, Plymouth, MN, 1:22:19.9

Women's 7.5K CL + 7.5K FS
1. Justyna Kowalczyk, Poland, 40:41.3
2. Marianna Longen, Italy, 40:48.9
3. Arianna Follis, Italy, 41:27.3
4. Valentina Shevchenko, Ukraine, 41:43.1
5. Stefanie Boehler, Germany, 41:49.1
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24. Elizabeth Stephen, East Montpelier, VT, 44:24.2
25. Morgan Arritola, Sun Valley, ID, 44:25.7
30. Nicole Deyong, Sun Valley, ID, 45.04.1
32. Caitlin Compton, Minneapolis, 45:23.5
38. Kate Arduser, Dartmouth, NH, 46:48.1
39. Lindsey Dehlin, Minneapolis, 47:11.7
40. Tazlina Mannix, Talkeetna, AK, 47:22.6
41. Evelyn Dong, Middlebury, VT, 48:26.6