January 02, 2013 (Midway, UT) – Torin Koos (Bridger Ski Foundation) and Jenny Bender (CXC) were the fastest classic skiers in the tracks today as the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships got underway in Soldier Hollow that plays host to the week-long Championships feature racing on Jan. 2, 4, 6 and 8th.

It was the first career title for Bender while for Koos it was his seventh championship win. Today was form of redemption for Koos, as last year at the U.S. Championships, the Wenatchee, WA skier was disqualified in the classic sprint for obstructing another skier. “It’s great to be here and they did a great job on the course. I’m planning to do all four events and I think my distance shape should be good – I’m looking forward to it – it’s a great venue.”

It was an emotional day for Vermont’s Bender. The UVM skier, who finished 2nd in the SuperTour last year behind teammate Jessie Diggins, was hampered this summer with her training suffering from both mono and Lyme disease. “I was having trouble being snappy but I’ve been out here for about a week getting acclimated so things turned out ok and I gave a little scream of joy at the finish. I’ve had a lot of trouble recovering due to my illnesses but I felt better today and hopefully the distance races will go well.”

Typical Soldier Hollow waxing nightmare weather started with morning fog, temps in the single digits (F), wax tested in the cold high humidity then the sun burned through to blue sky by the afternoon heats. The natural snow, with dense artificial snow underneath, stayed cold longer than expected. By the later heats the sun was dropping below the hills as were the temperatures, which dropped back to single digits.

Kevin Bolger (SVSEF) topped the Junior Men’s field while Annie Liotta (Montana State Un) earned the top step on the podium in the Junior Women’s competition. Soldier Hollow last held the U.S. Championships in 2006.

Results (brief)

Women

1. Jenny Bender (CXC)
2. Sadie Bjornsen (APU)
3. Rosie Brennan (APU)

Men

1. Torin Koos (Bridger Ski Foundation)
2. Michael Sinnott (SVSEF)
3. Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess  (Bend Endurance)

Junior Women
1. Annie Liotta (Montana State Un)

Junior Men

1. Kevin Bolger (SVSEF)

Classic Sprint Qualifiers HERE.
Classic Sprint Heats HERE.