March 13, 2014 (Anchorage, Alaska) – Despite thin snow cover and a rapid warm-up on day one, the 2014 AXCS National Masters (February 27-March 2) held in Anchorage, Alaska has been hailed as a big success by skiers and organizers alike

Events kicked off on Thursday, February 27 with the NM2014 10km classic events. With daytime high temperatures in the upper 40s accompanied by a strong wind, the thin snowpack at renown Kincaid Park took a beating. At times the classic tracks appeared to be better suited for a water park. Nonetheless, skiers and Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage organizers were undeterred and all races were completed as scheduled.

On Friday, quick thinking and rapid response by organizers produced a make-shift evening sprint relay course again at Kincaid Park that skiers had universally positive comments about. That same day, organizers of the famous Tour of Anchorage (the distance freestyle event for the NM2014) came up with a viable plan to still hold the Tour events despite significant snowless sections in the last third of the course. A quick change to 26/19km distances with modifications of some start and finish locations was completed in less than 48 hours.

Sunday’s Tour of Anchorage produced a beautiful day with excellent ski conditions. Though shorter than the normal 50/40/25km distances, skiers from across the nation praised the modified courses and local organizational efforts to save what could easily have been yet another lost event in a very tough winter around the XC world.

As per tradition, American XC Skiers awarded the honorary U.S. Masters Team presented by Podiumwear designation to 20 athletes at the closing Tour of Anchorage awards on Sunday, March 2. “Team” athletes were recognized as the top skier in each age group using a best 2-of-2 individual race modified World Cup point system.

2014 U.S. Masters Team

Women
F1 — Annie Ridgely
F2 — Stacey Buckelew
F3 — Shannon Brockman
F4 — Kathy Falconer
F5 — Nancy Pease
F6 — Hilary Garrett
F7 — Kathy Christy
F8 — Sally Burkholder & Karen Hurd (tie)
F9 — Berit Flora

Men
M1 — Peter Abraham
M2 — Jan Spurkland
M3 — Trond Flagstad
M4 — Stacey Moon
M5 — Trond Jensen
M6 — David Edic
M7 — David Ford
M8 — Atz Kilcher
M9 — Sam Flora
M11 — Reno DePrey

The 2015 AXCS National Masters will return to Craftsbury, Vermont and the always popular Craftsbury Ski Marathon weekend — January 30-February 1, 2015.

Please visit xcskiworld.com this spring/summer for updated details on next year’s event and make sure to join American XC Skiers to keep the strong tradition of the National Masters alive and well.