It's been a crazy weekend here at Soldier Hollow, site of the 2014 U.S. Cross Country Championships. We've gathered some of our best photos from women's 10 k classic, so you can see the action for yourself.
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US Nationals
US Nationals is the premier event of the season. The top skiers in the country battle for championship titles. Coverage of events and related news.
Up-And-Coming Racers in Men’s A-Final at Nationals Share Interesting Stories
Lander KarathJanuary 6, 2014
In the men’s A-final this Sunday at the 2014 U.S. Cross Country Championships, there were several up-and-coming competitors who had some interesting stories about how they got to Soldier Hollow, and where they drew the inspiration for their success from. FasterSkier caught up with three of them to hear their stories.
The men’s field in Sunday’s freestyle sprint at the U.S. nationals was anything but shallow, making it one of the most competitive sprints in recent memory. Despite the competition, one man came out on top. Torin Koos (Bridger Ski Foundation/Rossignol) skied powerfully throughout the finals to capture his eighth national title.
Jennie Bender rose from fifth to first in the final stretches of Sunday's 1.5 k freestyle sprint to complete the Bridger Ski Foundation's podium domination at U.S. Cross Country Championships at Soldier Hollow.
U.S. Nationals: Women’s Skate Sprint Qualifier Photos
FasterSkierJanuary 5, 2014
Photos of some of the top finishers in the U.S. Cross Country Championships women’s 1.5-kilometer freestyle sprint on Sunday. Caitlin Gregg (Team Gregg/Madshus) won it by more than 4 seconds in 3:09.97 to advance to the quarterfinals, which start with the men at 1 p.m. MST.
U.S. Nationals: Men’s Skate Sprint Qualifier Photos
FasterSkierJanuary 5, 2014
Photos of some of the top finishers in the U.S. Cross Country Championships men's freestyle sprint on Sunday. Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess of the Bend Endurance Academy won it by nearly two seconds in 2:41.37 to advance to the heats, which start at 1 p.m. MST.
Fairbanks native Becca Rorabaugh (APU) pulled off the best result of her career in Saturday's 10 k classic individual start, winning the first race of U.S. nationals on an unforgiving 2002 Olympic course by 14 seconds over Caitlin Gregg.
Demanding Course Can’t Keep Bjornsen from 15 k Win at 2014 U.S. Nationals
Lander KarathJanuary 4, 2014
In what was a flawless day at Soldier Hollow, Erik Bjornsen of Alaska Pacific University and the U.S. Ski Team achieved his second national championship in the 15 k interval start in the first day of racing at the 2014 U.S. Cross Country Championships. He finished 0:14 ahead of Reese Hanneman (APU) who placed second. Kris Freeman of the Maine Winter Sports Club finished third, 0:22.8 back from Bjornsen.
With the first race of the 2014 U.S. Cross Country Championships taking place Saturday, FasterSkier took to the trails of Soldier Hollow to preview the course and get a sense of how racers were feeling about it. Between wax testing, tactic planning, and pickups, athletes expressed excitement about Saturday's 10 and 15 k classic races.
At long last, the final video from U.S. nationals in Soldier Hollow (and you thought we forgot about the women's skate sprint).
The final day of the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championship proved to be one of the most exciting as racing continued with the skate sprints. After the day of racing it was Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess who was strongest down the finish stretch to earn the top step on the podium and the national crown.
And just like that, it's all over. U.S. Nationals drew to a close on Tuesday at Soldier Hollow with the completion of the freestyle sprint. As usual, there were a lot of leftover bits and pieces from the post-race interviews.
In the very last race of U.S. Nationals, Sadie Bjornsen pulled off her second gold and fourth podium performance of the week. She won the freestyle sprint on Tuesday at Soldier Hollow in a photo finish with Sophie Caldwell; Jennie Bender was third. Our images from the day.
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.
With Gritty Closing Speed, Blackhorse-von Jess Takes First National Title
Audrey ManganJanuary 9, 2013
With unmatched tactical intelligence, raw speed and a little inspiration, Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess won the title he's wanted for so long on Tuesday in the freestyle sprint at U.S. Nationals. Erik Bjornsen was second and Alex Howe finished third.
All six of the female finalists in the U.S. nationals skate sprint had a pretty good sense how the last race around Soldier Hollow would play out. Caitlin Gregg threw them for a loop, but Sadie Bjornsen responded, edging Sophie Caldwell and Jennie Bender for the win.
On an overcast morning before the freestyle sprint kicks off at Soldier Hollow, 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.
Can anyone touch Torin Koos? Will Sadie Bjornsen be able to keep the ball rolling? Our final set of official U.S. Nationals predictions.
Brand New to Skiing, McFadden a National Champ; Cnossen Wins Third Straight Race (with Photo Gallery)
Alex KochonJanuary 7, 2013
A U.S. nationals rookie with about a week of nordic experience, Tatyana McFadden won the sit-ski sprint at U.S. Adaptive Championships on Monday, and Lt. Dan Cnossen claimed his third victory in as many days.
For four laps around a grueling 5 k course at Soldier Hollow, six evenly-matched women battled it out for the 20 k classic national title. In the end, Sadie Bjornsen (APU/USST) was untouchable, finally claiming the gold medal she wanted so badly all week. Our photos from the race.