ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Olympian Kikkan Randall led from start to finish to claim the gold medal Saturday in the women's freestyle sprint, the first of four events in the 2010 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships.

Simi Hamilton, who competed last season for Middlebury College, won the men's event, edging Mike Hinkley, who trains with Alaska Pacific University.

Randall, skiing on her hometown course at Anchorage's Kincaid Park, edged Rebecca Dussault, an eight-time national champion. Laura Valaas was third.

In the men's event, Hamilton caught and passed Hinkley on the final approach to the finish line, a winding curve that leads to a straightaway in the stadium. Hamilton's time on the 1.7-kilometer course was 2:53.8. Garrott Kuzy finished third.

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.  Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez

Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.  Credit: Newsday/Kendall Rodriguez

Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

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