APU’s Brennan and Rorabaugh 1-2 in Women’s Sprint CL at 2015 U.S. XC Nationals – Blackhorse-von Jess Tops Men’s Field + PHOTOS

by skitrax.com

January 06, 2015 (Houghton, Michigan) – Snowy conditions and +5 degree temps saw Rosie Brennan and Becca Rorabaugh give APU Nordic Ski Center a 1-2 top podium finish in the women’s A-Final Classic Sprint CL on Day 2 of the 2015 U.S. Cross Country Championships. Craftsbury Green Racing Projects Liz Guiney claimed the final podium spot while Katharine Ogden (Stratton Mountain School) won the B-Final.

“It was definitely a tough day with a heat taking somewhere over 5 minutes in some cold, slow snow, but I had some rocking boards and was feeling fit so I just kept pushing,” said Brennan.

Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess (Bend Endurance Academy) proved to be unbeatable again in the men’s race as Benjamin Saxton (SMST2/USST) took second with top qualifier, Haakon Hjelstuen (Lyn Ski) Michigan Tech Huskies, a U23 skier from Trondheim, Norway in third. Logan Hanneman (University of Alaska Fairbanks) was the fastest man in the B-Final.

“I’m excited about today,” said Blackhorse-von Jess. “This was always part of the plan, to win this while ramping up to be ready for the World Championships in February. This wasn’t the focus, but I knew I could do this and I’m happy I did.”

“I look at things differently, since missing out on the Olympic Team. I was very reflective about returning to skiing again this year and I did because I know I can be in the top thirty in the world, I ski with Simi (Hamilton) and Andy (Newell) enough during the year that I know I can ski with them and I know they are top thirty in the world skiers,” he added.

“It’s always exciting to win but this is my second championship and the goal is to put myself in a position to make the World Championship team and to win the sprint Super Tour to compete with the best in the world.”

Second place finisher Saxton said: “I did everything I could to win today. But I didn’t get out well at the start of the final and that was on me. Overall I have to be happy as I skied well, my skis were amazing, the coaches did a great job and I gave it everything I have.”

Top Juniors today were Zak Ketterson (Loppet Nordic Racing) in the men’s race and Ann-Cathrin Uhl (University of Alaska Fairbanks) in the junior women’s competiton.