US Nationals

Russian-born skier Ivan Babikov (Subaru Factory Team) continued his dominance at the US Nationals today by winning the 10 K Classic race at Soldier Hollow by 34 seconds over John Stene (University of Denver). Justin Freeman (US Ski Team) just edged out James Southam (Rossignol) for third place as the top American – meaning that Freeman is the new US National Champion in this event, his first National Championship. This was an individual start race,...

Paul Circosta Soldier Hollow venue picts Havard Selseng Leif Zimmerman National Champion Justin Freeman Carl Swenson James Southam David Chamberlain Southam

11 photos from today's race (then the camera ran out of room!). We'll get more women tomorrow. Victoria Koskenoja and Aelin Peterson Mandy Kaempf – second place

With Monday's champion, Rebecca Dussault, taking a day off from racing at Nationals, we knew that the women would not have a repeat winner in today's 5K classic race. Instead, international skiers continued to claim the top of the podium today at Soldier Hollow. In the women's race, as in the men's race earlier in the day, international skiers took 1st and 2nd place, while the top American was third. Swiss skier Karin Camenisch, skiing...

Carl Swenson Lars Flora (Subaru Factory Team) has been coming on strong ever since returning from Europe and a great performance at “La Sgambeda”, an FIS Marathon Cup race. Lars won the SuperTour 15k skate race held at Soldier Hollow in mid-December and could be in the hunt for the win. U.S. Ski Team member Andrew Johnson had some promising results in recent World Cup races before returning home to prepare for these Championships. Strong...

Ivan Babikov continued his winning ways at Soldier Hollow on Monday by winning the US Cross Country Championships 30K Free technique race. Andrew Johnson finished second (and first American) to take the National Title, while Carl Swenson was third. Andrew Johnson Just before the halfway point in the race, Babikov overtook Johnson for the lead. Swenson and Chamberlain had maintained their positions behind Johnson, about 8 and 21 seconds back respectively. But Flora paid dearly...

Rebecca Dussault won her 5th US National title on Monday at the US Cross Country Championships at Soldier Hollow, Utah. Dussault maintained a slim lead over Abigail Larson for most of the race and it held up for a 5 second victory. Brooke Baughman skied a conisistently fast race to take third, while Sun Valley junior skier Morgan Arritola was impressive with her fourth place finish. “It was so tough…certainly a lot closer than I...

Invitation to the 2005 U.S. Cross Country Championships Soldier Hollow Midway, Utah January 3-10, 2005 Dear Competitors, USSA and the Soldier Hollow Organizing Committee would like to invite the you to participate in the 2005 U.S. Cross Country Championships, January 3-10 2005, at Soldier Hollow in Midway, Utah. The invitation contains information about lodging/meal plans at the Homestead Resort, transportation and car rental information, and the competition program. For on-line registration: http://www.soldier-hollow.com/events/ We look forward...

Buddhists call it nirvana. Jesus tells of peace. Digging down to respond to attacks in the French Pyranees Lance Armstrong finds a way to take the focus off the miles of twisting uphill grades remaining. Hundred degree heat. How every muscle is wound so tight with fatigue and stress and lactic acid, every peddle stroke is a moral victory in itself. Armstrong talks about replacing these concerning feels by going within; to a quiet place...

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is Konrad finished ahead of Aubrey Smith (Seward, Alaska), a 2003 World Championships racer, and former Estonian Olympian Katrin Smigun. Her winning time was 1:30.22.4. Smith was 3.2 seconds back with Smigun finishing 1:30.27.1. The bronze medal, however — since medals go to only U.S. citizens — went to Hilary Patzer (Sun Valley, ID) in 1:31.45.4. “Coming toward the finish, maybe with a K to go, I was leading. I'm...

 FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is Randall, a 2002 Olympian who is the niece of 1980 Olympian Betsy Haines and '76 Olympian Chris Haines, led the qualifying and won every heat in the final round. “I was feeling strong today and I didn't want to mess around with playing cat and mouse, so I just took the lead right from the start and built it from there.” She said the final corner leading into the...

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is Patrick Weaver Chad Giese Wendy Wagner Sigrid Aas Carl Swenson Andrew Johnson Men's US Podium Wendy Wagner & Melissa Oram photo: Robert Arsenault  

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is Robert Balk The skiers in the SIT-SKI class are normally quadriplegic or paraplegic, and have no use of their lower bodies. They pull themselves forward with the help of short poles, while sitting on a “ski-sledge”. Paralympians and World Champions Robert Balk and Candace Cable collected another three National Championship Gold Medals to their already plentiful collection from past years. Results: Saturday Classical Technique STANDING CLASS – 10 KM...

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is A record 559 skiers have registered for the championships and a record 453 skiers – 268 men and 185 women – raced Monday. The old marks, set a year ago in Rumford, were 368 skiers in one day and 423 total registrants. Tuesday, the technique switches to freestyle and the men and women will race the same distances as Monday – 10K for men, 5K for women. World Junior...

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is The former Dartmouth ski captain said starting 30 seconds behind Flora was an advantage “because I got splits off him and I felt good all day. I had great skis…” Swenson: “I felt pretty good…” The weather, despite the discomfort, hardly bothered him, Swenson said. “It was straight raining when I started and the skis were grabby at first, but I was able to ski it off. I had...

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is From “Broomhall Stadium” The competition courses at Black Mountain are some of the best in the US, and will be a fitting test for the National elite skiers. The courses have recently been certified as one of a small handful in this country that meet the highest USSA standard, as well as comply with international FIS requirements. With a 5-km snowmaking capacity and with technical, varied and demanding trails...

FasterSkier coverage of US Nationals is Justin Freeman Dave Chamberlain won one race and showed strength in the other Soldier Hollow races as well. He should duke it out with Justin Freeman and Andrew in classic and be a force in the pursuit. Other candidates: We haven’t seen much of Patrick Weaver so far this season, but something tells us that he might show up in shape. He can do well in any distance and...