RUMFORD, Maine — Eighteen athletes braved Wednesday’s brutal temperatures and wind to kick off the 2012 U.S. Adaptive Cross Country Championships with the 0.8 k sprints at Black Mountain.
The number of competitors was likely a record, according to U.S. Paralympics High Performance Nordic Director John Farra.
“Some of them are just developing some of them are racing World Cups and finishing in the top ten,” Farra said. “We’re really developing as a nation and I’m excited about it.”
Sean Halsted won the men’s sit-ski sprint final, followed by his teammates and fellow military veterans on the U.S. Paralympic Nordic Team, Dan Cnossen in second and Andy Soule in third.
In the women’s race, Sarah Edwards claimed the sprint title. Christina Kouros was second and Mikayla Briere was third.
In the stand-up division, David Leach topped Eric McDaniel, Jr., for the sprint victory.
The day was expected to be the coldest of the weeklong U.S. Nationals, with temperatures rising to the low teens by the afternoon. They adaptive skiers raced in the morning.
For photos and a link to results, click here.
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In addition to Farra, FasterSkier caught up with Halsted and Soule, who talked about their exciting final.
Alex Kochon
Alex Kochon (alexkochon@gmail.com) is a former FasterSkier editor and roving reporter who never really lost touch with the nordic scene. A freelance writer, editor, and outdoor-loving mom of two, she lives in northeastern New York and enjoys adventuring in the Adirondacks. She shares her passion for sports and recreation as the co-founder of "Ride On! Mountain Bike Trail Guide" and a sales and content contributor at Curated.com. When she's not skiing or chasing her kids around, Alex assists authors as a production and marketing coordinator for iPub Global Connection.
