Tad Elliott has been through a lot the last couple years. Every day, he said he questioned whether he'd make it back to the top. One of his supporters, Fast Big Dog interviewed Elliott about his recovery from illness and path back to a national title.
Kaitlynn Miller proved she's more than just a podium contender -- she can also be a race favorite -- after winning her first-ever World Cup title in the classic sprint at U.S. nationals in Houghton, Mich.
Although Tad Elliott’s name may have been missing from the top of U.S. results recently, at U.S. nationals on Thursday, the former U.S. Ski Team member showed he has what it takes to win races: and did so by nearly 10 seconds in the men's 30 k freestyle mass start.
Jennie Bender was the fastest of the day in every sense possible at U.S. nationals on Monday, winning the skate-sprint qualifier followed by her quarterfinal, semifinal and ultimately, the final by 0.61 seconds over Anne Hart. Runner-up Hart achieved a career-best result, and Caitlin Patterson secured her second-straight podium in Houghton.
After her brother Scott Patterson won the opening race of U.S. nationals on Sunday, the men's 15 k classic, Caitlin Patterson joked that she had to match him. "That was encouraging, but also a little bit of competition," she said. Both rose to the top spot of their respective men's and women's podiums.
For the second year in a row, U.S. Cross Country Championships are being hosted in Houghton, Mich. While the snow situation hasn't been ideal, organizers are optimistic for the week of races, which starts Sunday: “The conditions are really nice. ... It is really mid-season form," said Chief of Competition Jim Tervo.
"Game on in Houghton" is the latest message from race organizers for 2016 U.S. nationals, after snowfall in the last few days has ensured the championships will be held Jan. 3-9 on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.