Canadian resident Ivan Babikov of Russia led a field of 253 skiers Tuesday to win the men's 10-kilometer freestyle race as the U.S. Championships opened on Michigan Tech's campus in Houghton, Mich.
Babikov won in 24 minutes, 23.1 seconds and Leif-Orin Zimmerman of Bozeman, Mont., was the top American, second in 24:39.3, followed by Kris Freeman of Andover, N.H., in 24:45.9. Babikov had started the season with consecutive NorAm series victories.
Former U.S. Olympian John Bauer of Hayward, Wis., was 11th in 25:44.1. Other Northland finishers include Duluthians Adam Swank of Duluth, 27th in 26:03.3; Nikolai Anikin, 61st in 27:08.4; Andre Watt, 68th in 27:17.9; and St. Scholastica's Bjorn Bakken of Duluth, 75th in 27:25.4.
Former Northern Michigan skier Caitlin Compton of Minneapolis won the women's 5K freestyle in 13:47.1. Defending Minnesota high school champion Jessica Diggins of Stillwater was 30th in 15:15.2 and Grand Rapids native BethAnn Chamberlain was 37th in 15:25.4; former Duluth East skier Ingrid Fjeldheim of Marquette, Mich., was 65th in 15:58.2; and Michigan Tech's Jenna Klein of Ely was 78th in 16:05.4.
