The best cross coutry skiers in North American came to Mt Itasca this weekend to compete for $10,000 in prize money. On Friday afternoon they were treated to an old fashioned Minnesota winter with 12 inches of new, dry snow. Despite all night grooming by the Mt Itasca Biathlon Association staff, conditions were soft and slow on the infamous big climb up Mt Itasca on Saturday morning. High tempo and soft skis were the order of the day, as competitors struggled to float over the soft ski tracks.

In the women's 10km Skate, Karin Camenisch of Team Rossignol came out on top in 32:14. Camenisch lives in Denver, CO is currently ranked 2nd in the overall Super Tour points. Johanna Turenen of University of Alaska, Fairbanks finished second, 10 seconds back, with Northern Michigan University star, Lindsay Weier placing third, 38 seconds out of the lead. Weier is from White Bear Lake, MN and was a member of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team.

The men's 10km Skate was dominated by Ivan Babikov of the Subaru Factory Team, and Lars Flora of the U.S. Ski Team. Babikov, a new star on the North American circuit and current Super Tour leader, is small in stature but clearly has a big heart. His high tempo style suited the soft conditions well, as he finished 30 seconds ahead of his Subaru Factory teammate, Lars Flora. A minute thirty behind Flora was the youngest member of the U.S.Men's Ski Team, Lief Zimmerman of Bozemen, MT.

In addition to Lindsay Weier, there were a number of Minnesota athletes that shined at Mt. Itasca. Lindsay Williams of Hastings, MN and Northern Michigan University placed 6th. Williams is the 2005 National Champion at the Sprint distance and currently ranked 4th in the overall Super Tour. On the men's side Chad Giese of Mora, MN placed 4th, only 4 seconds from the podium. Chad is currently ranked 3rd in the overall Super Tour and will be looking to exact some revenge in Sunday's classic race. Team Rossignol skier, and veteran Olympian, John Bauer of Duluth, finished seconds behind Giese in 5th place and will also be a contender for the classic crown on Sunday.