U.S. SKI TEAM NAMES UNDER-23 CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM
PARK CITY, Utah (Jan. 21) – Olympian Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK/Alaska Pacific University Nordic/U.S. Development Team) is among 14 skiers named to compete in the second Under-23 Cross Country Championships Feb. 11-15 on the Olympic trails at Soldier Hollow.
, Rachel Daw (21; Duluth, MN/Northern Michigan University), Nicole Deyong (21; Anchorage, AK/University of Alaska Anchorage), Carina Hamel (19; Southampton, MA/University of Vermont), Kasandra Rice (20; Anchorage, AK/Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage/University of Alaska Fairbanks) and Laura Valaas (19; Wenatchee, WA/Whitman College).</p>
<p>The men's team includes: Ethan Foster (22; Weston, VT/University of Vermont), Andy Newell (20; Shaftsbury, VT/Stratton Mountain School/U.S. Development Team), Brayton Osgood (22; West Townshend, VT/Dartmouth College/Stratton Mountain School), Colin Rodgers (22; Westford, VT/Middlebury College), Zack Simons (22; Park City, UT/University of Utah), Tim Weston (22; Fairport, NY/Maine Winter Sports Center) and Leif Zimmerman (20; Bozeman, MT/Bridger Nordic).</p>
<p>The U23 championships were establish by the International Ski Federation to help up-and-coming skiers bridge the distance between leaving the junior ranks and moving into regular racing on the World Cup circuit. At the inaugural championships a year ago, Olympian Kris Freeman (Andover, NH) won the first men's race, the 30K classic technique mass start, and this season Freeman has posted the best U.S. international results in two decades.</p>
<p>The U23 schedule:</p>
<p>Feb. 11 – Men's 20K (10+10) skiathlon, women's 15K freestyle mass start<br />
Feb. 12 – Freestyle sprints<br />
Feb. 14 – Team (2-skier) sprints: Men's 6×1.5K, women's 4×1.5K<br />
Feb. 15 – Men's 30K FR mass start, women's 10K (5+5) skiathlon</p>
<p>“We're not looking simply to host the championships. We want some medals and we honestly feel we have a good chance with a couple of our athletes,” U.S. Development Coach Chris Grover said. “Many of these skiers have competed at the World Junior Championships and this is another important step in their progression toward joining Kris on the World Cup…and at the Olympics.”</p>
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