Fischer Reflects on US Nationals

At the recently completed 2009 US Cross Country National Championships in Anchorage, Alaska, Fischer skiers won 3 out of the 4 races held during the bitterly cold week.  Originally scheduled for 8 races, cold temperatures below the FIS minimum standard forced the cancellation of the Men’s and Women’s distance classic race and the Men’s and Women’s team sprint competition.

On Monday, January 5th, both the Women’s 5km freestyle and the Men’s 10km freestyle races were held.  In the Men’s race, Fischer Athlete Kris Freeman won the race by 50 seconds over the field.  In the Women’s race, Fischer Athlete Kikkan Randall placed 2nd only by 3 seconds, but was by far and away the fastest skier over the second half of the race.

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On Thursday, January 8th, the classic sprint competition took place for both the Women and Men.  Once again in the Men’s race, Kris Freeman found himself at the top of the podium, winning his first National Championship Sprint title.  In the Women’s race, Kikkan returned to her familiar spot at the top of the podium, winning the Women’s National Championship Sprint title.

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At the end of the championships, the US Ski Team named the qualifiers for the following international trips, the J1 Scandinavian Cup, the World Junior Championship team and the U23 Championship team.  For the J1 Scandinavian Cup team, a total of 12 athletes were named, 6 boys and 6 girls.  Of these 12 athletes, 6 out of the 12 are athletes using Fischer skis and 3 out of these 6 are also using Fischer boots.  For the World Junior Championship team, a total of 10 athletes were named, 5 boys and 5 girls.  Of these 10 athletes, 6 out of the 10 are athletes using Fischer skis and one athlete also uses Fischer boots.  For the U23 Championships, a total of 10 athletes were named, 5 men and 5 women.  Of these 10 athletes, 7 out of the 10 are athletes using Fischer skis.  Fischer sends its congratulations to these athletes and wishes them good luck in these upcoming championships.

During the championships, Fischer was the overwhelming choice of ski during the week.  In the men’s field for the 10km skate race, 51% of the athletes who started the race came to the start line with Fischer skis.  Likewise in the women’s field for the 5km skate race, 47% of the athletes who started the race came to the start line with Fischer skis.  Clearly, Fischer skis were the choice of ski, not only for the winners, but also for the majority of the athletes racing at the championships.

YELLOW IS THE COLOR OF SUCCESS