Holmenkollen XC: Freeman 21st in 50 km CL

Odd-Bjorn Hjelmeset of Norway won the men's 50-kilometer race in a World Cup cross-country meet on Saturday at Holmenkollen.
    American Kris Freeman finished 21st.

OSLO, Norway — Odd-Bjorn Hjelmeset of Norway won the men's 50-kilometer race in a World Cup cross-country meet on Saturday at Holmenkollen.
    Hjelmeset, who also won the 50 km in last month's nordic World Championships in Japan, finished the grueling race in 2 hours, 17 minutes, 22.0 seconds.
    It was the eighth World Cup victory in a distance event for the 35-year-old veteran, who also became the first Norwegian to win the classic-style race at Holmenkollen since 1996.
    ''For me, the 50K at Holmenkollen is one of the biggest races you can win,'' Hjelmeset said. ''I'm in good shape, but I was nervous before the race. I was uncertain about switching skis. I used the same pair on the first and third laps.''
    For the first time at Holmenkollen, skiers were allowed to change skis after each lap.
    Tobias Angerer, the two-time defending World Cup champion from Germany, finished second, 9.8 seconds behind.
    American Kris Freeman finished 21st.
    ''I read in a German newspaper that I'm only the fourth cross-country skier in history to defend the title,'' said Angerer, who clinched it earlier this week at Drammen, Norway. ''Only Gunde Svan (Sweden), Bjorn Dahlie (Norway) and Per Elofsson (Sweden) have defended the title. So I'm both proud and happy.''
    With the win, Hjelmeset advanced to fifth overall with 465 points. Angerer leads the standings with 1,031 points while second-place Alexander Legkov of Russia has 573.