Erik Bjornsen after winning the first race of 2014 U.S. Cross Country Championships, the 15 k classic individual start, on Jan. 4 at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. It was the 22-year-old Bjornsen’s second national title in as many years.

Lander Karath

Lander Karath is FasterSkier's Associate Editor from Bozeman, Montana and a Bridger Ski Foundation alumnus. Between his studies at Middlebury College in Vermont, he is an outdoor enthusiast and a political junkie.