At long last, the final video from U.S. nationals in Soldier Hollow (and you thought we forgot about the women’s skate sprint).
U.S. Nationals Men’s Skate Sprint Video
January 11, 2013 - 1 Comment
The final day of the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championship proved to be one of the most exciting as racing continued with the skate sprints. After the day of racing it was Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess who was strongest down the finish stretch to earn the top step on the podium and the national crown.
U.S. Nationals Notes and Quotes: That Just Happened
January 9, 2013
And just like that, it’s all over. U.S. Nationals drew to a close on Tuesday at Soldier Hollow with the completion of the freestyle sprint. As usual, there were a lot of leftover bits and pieces from the post-race interviews.
Photo Gallery: U.S. Nationals Women’s Freestyle Sprint (Updated)
January 9, 2013
In the very last race of U.S. Nationals, Sadie Bjornsen pulled off her second gold and fourth podium performance of the week. She won the freestyle sprint on Tuesday at Soldier Hollow in a photo finish with Sophie Caldwell; Jennie Bender was third. Our images from the day.
Photo Gallery: U.S. Nationals Men’s Freestyle Sprint (Updated)
January 9, 2013
Distance guys made the final, favorites got eliminated early and at the end of it all, Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy) drew on the inspiration of an emotional week to pull off his first career national championship. Our photos from throughout the day.
With Gritty Closing Speed, Blackhorse-von Jess Takes First National Title
January 9, 2013 By Audrey Mangan
With unmatched tactical intelligence, raw speed and a little inspiration, Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess won the title he’s wanted for so long on Tuesday in the freestyle sprint at U.S. Nationals. Erik Bjornsen was second and Alex Howe finished third.
Bjornsen Keeps Calm in Skate Sprint, Saves Kick for Second Straight National Victory
All six of the female finalists in the U.S. nationals skate sprint had a pretty good sense how the last race around Soldier Hollow would play out. Caitlin Gregg threw them for a loop, but Sadie Bjornsen responded, edging Sophie Caldwell and Jennie Bender for the win.
Photo Gallery: Pre-race, U.S. Nationals Freestyle Sprint
January 8, 2013
On an overcast morning before the freestyle sprint kicks off at Soldier Hollow, volunteers work hard on course preparation, coaches dial in wax and athletes arrive at the venue for one more nerve-wracking race. Some images from the final hours before the start.
U.S. Nationals Freestyle Sprint Preview and Predictions
January 8, 2013 By Audrey Mangan
Can anyone touch Torin Koos? Will Sadie Bjornsen be able to keep the ball rolling? Our final set of official U.S. Nationals predictions.
Brand New to Skiing, McFadden a National Champ; Cnossen Wins Third Straight Race (with Photo Gallery)
January 7, 2013 By Alex Matthews
A U.S. nationals rookie with about a week of nordic experience, Tatyana McFadden won the sit-ski sprint at U.S. Adaptive Championships on Monday, and Lt. Dan Cnossen claimed his third victory in as many days.
Photo Gallery: U.S. Nationals Women’s 20 k Classic
January 7, 2013
For four laps around a grueling 5 k course at Soldier Hollow, six evenly-matched women battled it out for the 20 k classic national title. In the end, Sadie Bjornsen (APU/USST) was untouchable, finally claiming the gold medal she wanted so badly all week. Our photos from the race.
Photo Gallery: U.S. Nationals Men’s 30 k Classic
January 7, 2013
30 kilometers. Six laps. 18.6 miles. Ninety-plus minutes. Whichever way you cut it, the men’s mass start classic race at U.S. Nationals was one long race. Our images from throughout the day.
U.S. Nationals Notes and Quotes: Classic Mass Starts
January 7, 2013
When it comes to great race stories, it doesn’t get much better than distance mass starts. Here are some interesting tidbits that didn’t make Sunday’s 20 and 30 k classic race reports.
Weekly Roundup: Happy New Year!
January 7, 2013 By Chelsea Little
It’s no exaggeration to say that this might have been the busiest week of the year to be a North American ski fan. With the Tour de Ski practically every day, U.S. Nationals, and some big NorAms used to determine junior and U23 trip rosters, plus biathlon and nordic combined, here are the highlights.
U.S. Nationals Women’s 20 k Classic Mass Start Video
January 7, 2013
The 2013 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championship continued on the trails of Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah with the senior women’s 20 k classic mass start. The lead pack was established early with just six women in contention for the national title throughout the majority of the race. On the course’s final major climb, Hermode’s Hill, it was Sadie Bjornsen (USST/APU) who attacked, opening up a sizable gap by the time she entered the stadium. Check out our footage of the action.
Koos Makes it a Double with 30 k Victory at Soldier Hollow
January 7, 2013 By Audrey Mangan
Here you were thinking Torin Koos was a sprinter. Think again: he won his eighth career national title on Sunday in the 30 k mass start classic, his second of the week. He bested Erik Bjornsen and David Norris in second and third in a close, hard-fought race at Soldier Hollow.
Bjornsen Gets What She Came For, Wins National Title in 20 k Classic Mass Start
January 6, 2013 By Alex Matthews
A two-time runner-up at this year’s nationals, Sadie Bjornsen proved to herself that she can achieve gold, winning her second national title in three years in her first-ever 20 k. Bjornsen skied away from the pack late, beating teammate Kate Fitzgerald by nearly 13 seconds.
U.S. Nationals Men’s 30 k Classic Mass Start Video
January 6, 2013
The action at the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championship heated up this morning when the senior men started off the day with the 30 k classic mass start. Six laps of the challenging 5 k loop at Soldier Hollow made for an exciting race as eighteen skiers were together in the lead pack for the majority of the race, but during the final kilometers only a handful of men were in contention for the national title. As they climbed Soldier Hollow’s fabled Hermode’s Hill for the final time it was Torin Koos (BSF) who made a decisive move to claim the national title with Erik Bjornsen (USST/APU) and David Norris (MSU) finishing second and third respectively. Check out our footage of the race.
Photo Gallery: U.S. Nationals Pre-Race, 20/30 k Classic Mass Start
January 6, 2013 By FasterSkier
Soldier Hollow gets busy as athletes arrive for the mass start classic race and coaches make last-minute adjustments to kick and glide. Some scenes from the stadium.
U.S. Nationals 20/30 k Classic Preview and Predictions
January 6, 2013 By Audrey Mangan
There’s nothing like mass start classic racing on a perfectly-groomed, hard-packed course, and that’s exactly what awaits athletes at Soldier Hollow for the 20/30 k on Sunday. Can the Bjornsens both put together classic wins on the same day?
