The internet is finally working this morning - I'll post this quickly as it's t-1hr before leaving for the race this morning! Check out the pics of Davos.... it's literally transformed since we've been here. Below all the pictures is a short stor...
For North American ski fans, here’s a look at who to watch for this weekend in Davos, Switzerland. Saturday’s 15/30 k—long awaited as it is one of only two such distances on the entire World Cup schedule—begins at 6:15 am EST with the women’s 15 k. The men’s start follows at 8:00 am EST. Women It says quite a bit about U.S. skiing these days that Kikkan Randall also featured prominently in our raw Swiss...
I just returned to "home away from home" hotel Kulm from an exciting, high-paced World Cup weekend in Dusseldorf, Germany. While the weekend's racing format didn't explicitly compliment my skill set it was a great experience and more importantly, I was...
In addition to Kikkan Randall (USA) and Chandra Crawford (CAN) who placed 1st and 4th respectively in the freestyle sprint on the streets of Dusseldorf, Germany, six other North American women raced, with Canadian Perianne Jones and American Sadie Bjornsen just missing out on the heats. Jones, in 32nd was just .23 seconds out of a spot in the heats. “It went by really fast,” Jones told FasterSkeir after the qualification round. “I have a...
Two weeks into the World Cup season, and we have seen Kikkan Randall storm out of the gate with an 8th in a classic 10k, a 4th in a classic sprint, and a 6th place finish in the overall Kuusamo mini-tour. Colin Reuter and Christopher Tassava of the Nordic Commentary Project join FasterSkier Editor Topher Sabot to discuss Kikkan, Holly Brooks’ step forward, the dominance of the Norwegian women’s team, and yes, we even mention...
I'm behind on my blog posts but what can I say? My senses have been completely overwhelmed with Swiss scenery, 1k, 2k & 3k man-made loops of snow (this morning we did 30 looks of an 800 meter track) and new varieties of stinky cheese! So fa...
With her strong 23rd-place showing in the Ruka Triple last weekend in Kuusamo, Finland, Holly Brooks and U.S. Ski Team (USST) coaches have begun discussing the possibility of her racing the Tour de Ski, which begins December 29. “Obviously Holly had a great mini-tour in Kuusamo,” said USST head coach Chris Grover. “She’s an athlete we’re seriously considering [for the Tour]…she will most likely be invited, for sure.” The U.S. has more than enough room...
“For the ladies, overall, a really great day.” – Head USST Coach, Chris Grover *** Going into the last stage of the Ruka-Triple mini tour, the US women kept their expectations high and did not disappoint. Grover told FasterSkier in a phone interview that Holly Brooks, Liz Stephen, and Ida Sargent all had personal best classic results today: Brooks posting 23rd, while Stephen and Sargent broke into the 30’s. To top it off, Kikkan...
Editor’s Note: There has been significant confusion regarding results for today’s World Cup races. The FIS website lists overall standings for the three-race mini-tour. Kikkan Randall is 5th in those standings, and finished 12th in today’s 5km freestyle. There are, Kikkan Randall concedes, downsides to success. But they’re pretty miniscule. For one, the American skier’s expectations have been raised since notching her first-ever distance top ten in Sjusjøen, Norway last weekend, and then skiing to...
Sticky skis and icy conditions — they don’t always mix. You didn’t have to tell Ida Sargent that. But it wasn’t about the number of times Sargent fell down on Sunday’s rock-solid course at Sjusjøen, Norway, that mattered. As the starting leg of the U.S. women’s cross-country ski team in the 4×5 k World Cup relay, she had to get back up. “I didn’t want to lose anymore time than I already had,” Sargent wrote...
The first stop on the World Cup is over and this makes one week that I've been in Europe. Here are some pictures from the weekend: Walking into the venue the first day we weren't quite sure what to expect... But Marit does... basically ...
Less than one week after arriving in Europe, the U.S. Ski Team’s (USST) Kikkan Randall had the best distance performance of her career—8th place— for the opening World Cup in Sjusjøen, Norway. On a four-lap 10 k course, Randall finished +58.2 back from the winner, Marit Bjoergen (NOR), and was less than a second behind Therese Johaug (NOR), who finished 7th. “I felt like [my race] would have been a success if I was around...
Three days in Torsby and two training sessions on the 1.3k loop in the tunnel proved to be just about perfect. While the tunnel is a huge asset at the disposal of the athletes that use it (particularly in the summer) I prefer skiing on natural sn...
With the biggest squad in recent memory, the U.S. Ski Team (USST) looks to continue building on last season’s results on the World Cup this year, starting with the salvaged opener on November 19. Mild weather put the Americans’ travel plans in limbo last week, delaying their arrival to Europe. With their planned tune-up race in Beitostølen, Norway canceled, Saturday’s race in Sjusjøen will be the first time most of the U.S. contingent puts on...
We just got word that the World Cup races scheduled for next weekend in Norway are on! The only caveat.... there is currently bare ground at the chosen venue, Sjujsoen! But, leave it up to the Norwegians to pull off a ski race in sub-par co...
We just got word that the World Cup races scheduled for next weekend in Norway are on! The only caveat.... there is currently bare ground at the chosen venue, Sjujsoen! But, leave it up to the Norwegians to pull off a ski race in sub-par co...
People often ask: What is APU? How does it work? You're a University team that isn't NCAA - What does that mean? These are all good questions and yes, the format (if you will) of APU can tend to be confusing to people looking in on us from the ou...
People often ask: What is APU? How does it work? You're a University team that isn't NCAA - What does that mean? These are all good questions and yes, the format (if you will) of APU can tend to be confusing to people looking in on us from the ou...
Monster Blog Posts that is..... I'll admit: I have been procrastinating with my posting because I have a nasty habit of being all-inclusive with my posts. I won't write unless I have time to do a really, really good job and honestly, I'm crazy busy and...
Monster Blog Posts that is..... I'll admit: I have been procrastinating with my posting because I have a nasty habit of being all-inclusive with my posts. I won't write unless I have time to do a really, really good job and honestly, I'm crazy busy and...