In the first-ever Ski Classics Challengers event in New Zealand, Merino Muster, Jessie Diggins, USA, and Akito Watabe, Japan, won their respective races with solid performances.

Merino Muster – 42km Women’s Race

In the women’s event, the winner, Jessie Diggins, Team USA, completed the race in a time of 1:52:49.31.

Julia Kern, also from Team USA, finished in second place, with a time of 1:55:41.53, followed by Katerina Paul, Team BSV IBEX, completing the podium in third position with a total time of 2:13:39.20.

Top 5 Women

1. Jessie Diggins, USA, 1:52:49.31
2. Julia Kern, USA, 1:55:41.53
3. Katerina Paul, AUS, 2:13:39.20
4. Linnea Magnusson, SWE, 2:19:35.41
5. Yvonne Pfluger, AUT, 2:32:49.82

Merino Muster – 42km Men’s Race 

In the men’s competition, the winner was Akito Watabe, Japan, with a total time of 1:51:29.72.

Yoshito Watabe, also from Japan, finished in second place, with a time of 1:59:02.97, followed by Ian Hardenbergh, USA, with a total time of 1:59:07.29, and completing the podium in third place.

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Top 5 Men

1. Akito Watabe, JPN, 1:51:29.72
2. Yoshito Watabe, JPN, 1:59:02.97
3. Ian Hardenbergh, USA, 1:59:07.29
4. Ross Hamilton, AUS, 2:16:54:57
5. Christopher Forne, NZL, 2:17:29:67

As Merino Muster 42km is a Ski Classics Challengers event, Pro Team registered athletes could collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders. 

Complete results of Merino Muster can be found here and here when available, and a list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for season 2024/2025 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.  

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