Skiing

Anchorage skiers Brennan, Maubet Bjornsen and Norris collect World Cup points in Czech Republic

Racing on dirty, sugary snow, Anchorage skier David Norris registered his best individual result of the season and teammates Rosie Brennan and Sadie Maubet Bjornsen were among four Americans in the top 30 of a World Cup race Saturday in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.

Jessie Diggins of Minnesota led the Americans with a fourth-place finish in the women’s 10-kilometer freestyle, well behind winner Therese Johaug of Norway, who dominated in 23 minutes, 51.6. seconds. Diggins was 48 seconds back.

Brennan placed 17th, Bjornsen 26th and Julia Kern of Vermont was 30th.

Brennan, who was coming off a 15th-place finish in the nine-day, seven-race Tour de Ski, was in 12th place after five kilometers but faded somewhat in the final five.

“We faced some challenging conditions today,” she said by email. “With no snow on the ground, the course was made up of all man-made or saved snow which didn’t adhere well to itself so it was deep sugary and dirty.

“… I started well and was happy with my first lap. I faded much more than I had hoped in the end and think I am still feeling a bit of fatigue from the Tour.”

Norris, a member of the Alaska Pacific University ski program who trains with Brennan and Maubet Bjornsen, placed 27th in the men’s 15K freestyle. He was the top American, more than two minutes behind Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov, who won in 33:45.

It was the second time this season Norris has collected World Cup points by finishing in the top 30. In a race earlier this season in Italy, he was 30th in a 10K freestyle.

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