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 — There were a few surprises on Tuesday as U.S. Nationals drew to a close at Soldier Hollow. Distance guys made the final, favorites got eliminated early and at the end of it all, Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy) drew on the inspiration of an emotional week to pull off his first career national championship. Our photos from throughout the day:
Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy) in qualifying.
Mike Sinnott (Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation)
Erik Bjornsen (Alaska Pacific University/U.S. Ski Team) en route to winning the qualifying round.
Sylvan Ellefson (SSCV Team HomeGrown).
Eric Packer (SMS T2)
Mark Iverson (APU)
Torin Koos (Bridger Ski Foundation/Rossignol)
Tad Elliott (SSCV/USST)
Logan Hanneman (University of Alaska, Fairbanks)
Alex Howe (Crafsbury Green Racing Project)
Eric Wolcott (Central Cross Country)
Brian Gregg (CXC)
Ben Saxton (F.A.S.T. Performance Training)
Mats Resaland (University of New Mexico).
Blackhorse-von Jess skiing through the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals get underway.
Quarterfinal 1.
Bjornsen and Tim Reynolds (CGRP) advancing from quarterfinal1.
Quarterfinal 2 leaves the stadium; Ryan Scott (SSCV) gets off to a quick start.
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s quarterfinal 2 at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s quarterfinal 2 at Soldier Hollow
Davis and Sinnott advance from heat 2.
Quarterfinal 3.
Resaland and Elliott charging.
Elliott corners around the horseshoe in the quarterfinals.
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s quarterfinal 3 at Soldier Hollow
Resaland and Elliott move on from heat 3.
Quarterfinal 4.
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s quarterfinal 4 at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s quarterfinal 4 at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s quarterfinal 4 at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s quarterfinal 4 at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s quarterfinal 4 at Soldier Hollow
Hanneman and Jordan Buetow (Bates College) advance from quarterfinal 4.
Quarterfinal 5 gets underway. Blackhorse-von Jess gets into a good position.
mens q 5b
mens q 5
Saxton, Koos, Blackhorse-von Jess, Ellefson and Raphael Bachtinger (Michigan Tech).
mens q 5c
Blackhorse-von Jess charging down the final straight. He and Alex Howe advance to the next round.
mens q 5d
Torin Koos got tangled with another skier, crashing just before the last uphill turn and finished his quarterfinal on one ski.
Semifinal 1. Skyler Davis gets a quick start.
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s semifinal 1 at Soldier Hollow
Elliott leads Bjornsen around the horseshoe turn before the downhill.
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s semifinal 1 at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s semifinal 1 at Soldier Hollow
Bjornsen, Elliott and Blackhorse-von Jess cruising into the final round.
Bjornsen takes the clear win in the semifinal.
Semifinal 2.
Howe and Ellefson get into position as they leave the stadium.
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s semifinal 2 at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s semifinal 2 at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s semifinal 2 at Soldier Hollow
Howe and Ellefson charging hard.
Howe and Ellefson easily advance; Hanneman and Packer fight for third in a photo finish.
Kornfield and UAF coach Bryan Pepper watch the video screen to see if Hanneman made the final. Hanneman just edged Packer to advance.
The A-final. Hanneman, Elliott, Ellefson, Blackhorse-von Jess, Bjornsen and Howe.
The jockey for position.
Final start 3
Elliott gets in front up the hollow.
Tad Elliott leading the men’s final.
Elliott leading the A-final before the downhill.
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s final at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s final at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s final at Soldier Hollow
2013 U.S. nationals skate sprint men’s final at Soldier Hollow
The field enters the stadium. Blackhorse-von Jess gradually inches ahead of Bjornsen.
The sprinters battle it out.
Almost there…
Blackhorse-von Jess pulls ahead.
Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy) digging deep to take the win in the freestyle sprint at U.S. Nationals. Photo: Sarah Brunson/USSA.
Ellefson, 4th, congratulates a friend and competitior.
Blackhorse-von Jess, triumphant.
Blackhorse-von Jess and BEA coach Ben Husaby celebrate at the finish.
Bjornsen.
The victor recieves congratulations.
Saxton gives a congratulatory hug.
Blackhorse-von Jess and GMVS coach Justin Beckwith.
Alex Howe, 3rd, and Bjornsen, 2nd.
Blackhorse-von Jess is awarded the winner’s plaque.
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The men’s freestyle sprint podium: 1. Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess, 2. Erik Bjornsen, 3. Alex Howe.
