The 2005 US Nationals that starts Monday January 3 and will be Carl Swenson’s first race on US soil this season. The national team member left for Europe and World Cup racing in early November and returned right before Christmas. Carl is traditionally the best US skater and was close to both a medal and winning the 50-kilometer skate race at the 2003 Worlds. Those who can beat Carl in skating at National should do well!
![](http://images.fasterskier.com/oldsitearchive/upload/050103Swenson.jpg width=440 height=330 border=1><br />
<BR><font size=1 face=verdana>Carl Swenson</font></center><BR></p>
<p>Carl, how many races are you planning on doing at Nationals, how was Europe, are you concerned about the altitude and what about the competition at Nationals?</p>
<p>– I’m entered in four races. I’m not planning on doing the classic sprint. My best race in Europe was in Kuusamo, Finland where I placed 29th in the 15-kilometer World Cup skate race. I felt good at that point, but got sick later and didn’t ski the last skate race in Ramsau. The competition here should be good. I think many of the US skiers that didn’t go to Europe are getting better and more competitive. Many seem to be in good shape so this should exciting. </p>
<p>– I would have liked tomorrow’s 30-kilometer skate race to be a mass-start! I’m not concerned about the altitude. I don’t really think that anything below 6000 feet is “altitude†or a problem. I live in Park City and that is higher than this. </p>
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