Sarah Max has experience on her side when it comes to multi-sport races. "After a winter of planned workouts, I generally don’t follow a training plan for the Pole Pedal Paddle," the race's four-time winner explains. This year was no different. But she did incorporate running workouts to minimize the "brick" feeling one gets from transitioning from the bike to run.
XC Oregon's elite team roster is a bit smaller this year, but coach J.D. Downing is excited about the team's quality. "We'll have a bit of a 'factory team' feel with fewer full-time skiers than some years, but a whole lot of talented people involved," he explains.
It took some flexible training and a plane trip from Minnesota, but last Saturday, Santi Ocariz achieved his longtime goal of racing (and winning) the Pole Pedal Paddle in Bend, Ore., while women's runner-up and Bend native, Zoe Roy, challenged the winner.
Note: This is the first of a quick-and-dirty preview series on elite teams in the U.S. We asked coaches to send their 2012/2013 rosters and tell us what’s new for the coming season. We will be publishing additional reports over the next few weeks. Teams are presented in no particular order. Team name: XC Oregon Coaches: J.D. Downing (coach/program director, 15th year) National /International Elite Roster: Santiago Ocariz, Oliver Burruss, Matt Briggs; Carolyn Ocariz, Stephanie...
Stanislav Rezac (CZE) edged out competitors in a thrilling sprint finish into Birkebeiner stadium, while Seraina Boner (SUI) wins with a comfortable margin of almost a minute.
Four XC Oregon skiers are capping their international marathon season with the Norwegian Birkebeiner on Saturday.
On May 15, competitors stood at the start line of the The 34th U.S. Bank Pole, Pedal, and Paddle in Bend, Oregon. After a cold and wet spring, the weather cooperated with 76 degrees and an overcast sky. The race started at Mt. Bachelor, with a moderate Grand Slalom alpine run, followed by a five mile cross country skate race, a 23 mile road ride down into the town of Bend, OR, a 5 mile...
Challenging conditions for Gold Rush competitors Donner Summit, CA— More than a foot of snow fell on Donner Summit overnight Saturday and continued prior to the start of the annual California Gold Rush, a 46k cross country ski race held at Royal Gorge. The weather resulted in a delayed start and slight course change. The races started at 9:30 a.m. and instead of a two-lap 21k loop, Gold Rush competitors skied three laps of a...