U.S. Skiers Dominate Yanks Claim Top Three Men’s, Women’s Spots In Wild Moose Cup

It took a Canadian skier to capture the essence of United States Nordic team members’ performances in Saturday morning’s Wild Moose Cup cross country ski race.

“I think us Canucks got another butt-whipping,” said Larry Hegan, of Cannmore, Alberta, who wound up in 21st place.

U.S. skiers dominated the top three men’s and women’s spots in a cold, penetrating fog that teased skiers with short breaks of sunlight - only to quickly swallow them back into the gloom on the 10-kilometer course at Mt. Spokane State Park.

Patrick Weaver, 27, of Lenox, Mass., used “fast, quick footwork” to power himself to a time of 29 minutes, 59 seconds, just two-tenths ahead of teammate John Bauer, 27, of Duluth, Minn. Ben Husaby, 29, of Bend, Ore., leader of the Yoko FIS Series, which includes the Wild Moose Cup, finished third in 30:01.9.

Laura Wilson, 27, of Ketchum, Idaho, overpowered the women’s field, finishing more than a minute ahead of her nearest competitor in 34:22.4. Wilson retained her second-place position in the Yoko FIS Series.

Wendy Wagner, also from Ketchum, was second in 35:40.4, while series leader Suzanne King, 32, of Minneapolis, overcame what she dubbed a “flat performance” to finish third in 36:06.

“I was really impressed with the course,” said Weaver, a Lillehammer Olympian in 1994. “There were a lot of spectators on the course. It’s nice to see this kind of support.”

Racers Saturday pointed to a 2-1/2 kilometer-long hill early in the race as the most difficult section. Wilson said that at the moment she broke the crest of that hill, her body was “nearing anaerobic.”

Put simply, it hurt.

“I was concentrating on getting a quick, powerful kick,” she said. “It was a lot of fun. The uphills were really skiable and the downhills you definitely had to work.”

Both Weaver and Wilson take home $675 in prize money for their wins.

The top Canadian finisher was Sara Renner, a 20-year-old Cannmore, Alberta, native, who was fifth in the women’s race in 36:29.9.

Top local finishers among the women included Laura McCabe, a Lillehammer Olympian, who ended up eighth in 37:08.1.

Contrary to the popular rumor going around, McCabe does not live in a two-room tent in Mazama, Wash. That was during the summer. She and her husband have since found warmer quarters in the Methow Valley as they wait for their home to be built.

McCabe, who now concentrates almost solely on longer marathon-type races, said it was nice to get together with some of her old buddies for the 10K affair.

“I haven’t really done a race like this since Lillehammer,” she said. “But it was just fun to race with everybody.”

A trio of local men home for the holidays from college - Brad Bauer, Brian Erickson and Jason Halloran - finished in the top 30. Bauer, who attends the University of Alaska, finished in 24th place at 33:23.4, followed by Erickson in 26th (34:19.7) and Halloran in 29th (34.35).

Racing resumes this morning at 9. The 15K skating race is the first in a series of four events that will determine members of the team to represent the United States at the World Championships next year.

Today’s event kicks off an hour earlier than Saturday, with junior racers leaving the starting gate at 9.

The elite women are slated to begin racing at 9:30, with the elite men set to start around 10:30. Masters racers will follow the men, and a citizens Moose Skate begins at noon.

Final races for U.S. World Championship team spots will be in Bend, Ore., Jan. 6, 8 and 10.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: FINISH LINE Elite divisions at the Wild Moose Cup Men: 1, Patrick Weaver, 29:59. 2, John Bauer, 29:59.2. 3, Ben Husaby, 30:01.9. Women: 1, Laura Wilson, 34:22.4. 2, Wendy Wagner, 35:40.4. 3, Suzanne King, 36:06.