February 19, 2013 (Val di Fiemme, Italy) – Following the Davos World Cup all teams made a fast exit to head to Italy and get settled in before the 2013 FIS Nordic World Championships that kick off on Feb. 20 with the first official title race, the Classic Sprints, on Feb. 21.

We caught with a few skiers including Jessie Diggins, Holly Brooks, Noah Hoffman and Kris Freeman for their take on the tough Davos course, their form heading into Worlds, and before wishing them arivaderci… what their favourite Italian food is ?

Jessica Diggins © Nordic Focus

Jessie Diggins (USA) – 14th Women’s 10km FR
My body was feeling much better today, I guess due to finally resting and letting all the training sink in as we prep for the World Champs! I was trying to pace it smart because the course is a really, really hard one – there are almost no steep climbs but there is also no real rest, either, because you need to really work the gradual down sections and then on the steeper downhills there were two different 180 degree corners! So I was trying hard to ski smart, not just all-out.

But my second lap the wheels definitely started to come off, and I lost some valuable time crashing on the corner about 1km from the finish. Oops! But overall, I was happy to have my body feeling strong and like it’s coming into good racing shape for Val di Fiemme!

The stoke level for Italy is SOOO HIGH! I am excited about being here with a great team, having a fun experience, and racing our hardest. I also happen to have a full jar of glitter and facepaint ready for the occasion.

Also, my favorite Italian food? Hmmm, I don’t know yet….I mean, the pizza here is fantastic but what I’m really in love with is the mushrooms on the pasta. Yum!

Holly Brooks © Nordic Focus

Holly Brooks (USA) – 20th Women’s 10km FR
We traveled right after the race yesterday and I had meetings and a massage last night – sorry to not get back to you sooner. Anyways, yes – I felt much, much better in yesterday’s race than I have in a while so I think my body & energy might be coming around just in time! Historically I love the Davos course because I was 13th there last year.  That said, turning in a result of 20th is solid, but not quite as good as last year.

But, I’ve been in a different place, coming off high levels of fatigue and it’s a step in the right direction.  I wasn’t ecstatic with the result but I’m not allowing myself to be disappointed either.  It’s amazing to think that having three girls in the top 20 is just a “solid day” for the USST now.  Boy how expectations and standards have changed!  I am sure that had Kikkan raced, she would have been up there as well so I think that speaks for the depth of the team.

Fun story…. Ben Husaby was in Davos accompanying Dakota for the classic sprint. He made a little impromptu speech Sunday night before his departure and he talked about how far the team has come since his days as an athlete. He has the perspective of racing the World Cup with the USST in the 90’s and it was a different ball game. He definitely had some emotion in his voice and it was really cool to see how proud he is of us and have a gentle reminder that not that long ago it was a big deal for AN ATHLETE to score A WC POINT. Now no one is celebrating 14th, 15th & 20th, interesting.

The course is a lot of gradual uphill and gradual downhill, lots of “grinding” at one of the highest elevation courses that we race on the World Cup.  Smart pacing is a must and my goal was to go out and ski the first 5k lap with good technique, conserving energy and gliding as much as possible. Then, the second lap you just see what you have left 🙂  I felt solid, yet un-spectacular which leaves me hoping that another level of fitness and energy is right around the corner! Overall, I’m happy with my weekend, scoring points in both sprint and distance. This way, I can go into the Championships with some confidence that I can access good energy and that my resting the past couple of weeks has paid off.

I’m excited to be in Italy and it’s fun to arrive at our hotel which we’ll share with Nordic Combined and women’s ski jumping!  The suns out today and the Dolomites are gorgeous. Plus, there is more natural snow in teh valley than we’re used to seeing so that’s a bonus!

And Brooks’ favourite Italian cuisine…? Espresso :). They have free machines at the venue!!!!!

Noah Hoffman © Rob Whitney

Noah Hoffman (USA) – 34th Men’s 15km FR
The race on Sunday was a little disappointing for me. I started fairly well, but I didn’t maintain my focus well. I think my energy is good, but I was missing that top gear. The conditions on Sunday were perfect, cold snow with sun. The course in Davos is always a challenge for me because there aren’t big V1 climbs.

Instead there is a lot of gradual terrain. I believe I’ve improved my technique for a course like Davos, but it is still not my strength. I will continue to focus on improving this area of my skiing. My skis were good. The wax techs did a great job.

We arrived yesterday in Val di Fiemme and I am really happy to be here. I am fit and healthy and psyched to race on these challenging courses. I am greatly looking forward to all four distance races here at the championships.

My favorite food of any food group is spaghetti. I love the food and I love spending time in Italy. I couldn’t be happier to be here for the next two weeks.

Kris Freeman © Rob Whitney

Kris Freeman (USA) – 50th Men’s 15km FR
How was the course, conditions and your skis in Davos…?
The course is the same as it has been for the last five years – 3km gradual up, 2km gradual down. Almost no recovery. I either ski great or badly on it.

How’s your health, fitness and form on the cusp of the Fiemme Worlds ?
My health is good and my fitness and form is as well. The poor performance in Davos has rattled me a little though.

What’s your focus at Fiemme 2013…?
I am most excited for the 50k classic, followed by the pursuit.

How many World Championships have you competed in during your career – Senior and U23…?
I competed in the 1998, 1999, and 2000 World Champs, The first U-23 WC in 2003, and the 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 WCs.  I think that makes 10.

Would you say that this is the strongest US Team ever coming into the Worlds?
This is the strongest US team by far.  Kikkan is the #1 sprinter in the world, Newell is ranked #2 and every woman here is capable of a top ten finish. Simi was coming into his best form the last two weeks and Noah has made fast and steady progress over the last two seasons. He will be tough.

What’s your favourite Italian food…?
I like lasagna, but I like it better in the US than Italy…Italian pizza is my favorite over here.

2013 U.S. World Championship Cross Country Team

Men
– Erik Bjornsen, Winthrop, WA, 7/14/91, U.S. Ski Team/Alaska Pacific University
– Tad Elliott, Durango, CO, 7/2/88, U.S. Ski Team/Ski and Snowboard Club Vail (2011)
– Kris Freeman, Andover, NH, 10/14/80, Maine Winter Sports Club (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011)
– Simi Hamilton, Aspen, CO, 5/14/87, U.S. Ski Team/Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation (2011)
– Noah Hoffman, Aspen, CO, 8/1/89, U.S. Ski Team/Ski and Snowboard Club Vail (2011)
– Andy Newell, Shaftsbury, VT, 11/30/83, U.S. Ski Team/SMST2 (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011)

Women
– Sadie Bjornsen, Winthrop, WA, 11/21/89, U.S. Ski Team/APU Nordic (2011)
– Holly Brooks, Anchorage, 4/17/82, U.S. Ski Team/APU Nordic (2011)
– Sophie Caldwell, Peru, VT, 3/22/90, SMST2
– Jessie Diggins, Afton, MN, 8/26/91, U.S. Ski Team/SMST2, (2011)
– Kikkan Randall, Anchorage 12/31/82, U.S. Ski Team/APU Nordic (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011)
– Ida Sargent, Orleans, VT, 1/25/88, U.S. Ski Team/Craftsbury Nordic (2011)
– Liz Stephen, E. Montpelier, VT, 1/12/87, U.S. Ski Team/Burke Mountain Academy (2009, 2011)