FasterSkier’s coverage of the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Championships is brought to you through the generous support of The Memory Clinic in Bennington, Vt.
MIDWAY, Utah — On Tuesday the fourth and final national champions of 2013 will be crowned at Soldier Hollow. On an overcast morning before the freestyle sprint kicks off, 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:
The stadium: overcast, but still pristine.
Alaska Winter Stars coach Jan Buron.
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The CXC camp.
GMVS coach Justin Beckwith and Bend Endurance Academy coach Ben Husaby testing skis.
F.A.S.T.’s Bill Pierce and HWK’s Kevin Höchtl dialing in the wax.
Maine Winter Sports Center testing skis.
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Boulder Nordic Sport’s Dave Chamberlain and Nathan Schultz discussing wax test results.
Bridger Ski Foundation coaches Andrew Moorehouse and Tim Baucom testing skis for Torin Koos.
Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess, Patrick Johnson & Co.
CXC athletes arrive at the venue.
Test skis.
Athletes begin to preview the course. The women have the same 1.3 k used in the classic sprint; the men climb a bit further up the hollow for a total of 1.5 k.
