January 02, 2011 (Rumford, Maine) – A sudden warming trend made for challenging conditions that forced organizers to scramble working well into the evening to prepare for today’s 1.4km classic sprint event, the opening round of the 2011 US XC Ski Championships at Black Mountain just outside Rumford, Maine.

Temperatures in the 40s reeked havoc with the trails but the experienced Chisholm Ski Club crew pulled it off as pair of US Olympians from the Vancouver 2010 Games set the pace in the men’s and women’s sprint competitions. Torin Koos of the Methow Valley Olympic Development Program and Holly Brooks of APU took the top step on the podiums.

Brooks opened the day topping the women’s qualification round over teammate Sadie Bjornsen with Sophie Caldwell (Dartmouth) third, Morgan Smyth (APU) fourth and Ida Sargent (Craftsbury Green Racing Project) in fifth. The Alaska skier could not be stopped as she added another victory to her resume and following the event a beaming Brooks was thrilled with her first National title.

“You know the hills are my strength and I pushed it hard, as the finish was a downhill. I just hoped I could hold on in the double poling,” said Brooks.

“I was really motivated to win a national title today. I’ve been thinking about it for months – even longer than that. It’s kind of a dream come true, so I am just happy to share the podium with a bunch of my APU teammates.” Four out of the top six represented the program at APU.

Eliska Hajkova (Colorado) finished second in the final today with APU’s Smyth taking third but Hajkova, from the Czech Republic, is not eligible for a US title moving Smyth into second on the Nationals podium, and team mate Sadie Bjornsen into third – making it an APU sweep.

In fact APU’s Lars Flora was also the fastest in the men’s qualification this morning with Koos second, Mike Sinnott (SVSEF) third, Reese Hanneman (APU) 4th, and Jericho, VT’s Skyler Davis (Stratton)  in 5th.

In the end the veteran Methow Valley sprinter prevailed and was also pleased with his race – and winning the men’s title. He was not surprised by his fitness when he spoke with SkiTrax post-race. “I had great training this fall, went to Europe and had some good races over there. It should keep get better and better,” said Koos.

Second place went to Sinnott, a former Dartmouth captain, skiing out of Sun Valley, while third went to Vermont’s Davis from Stratton Mountain. Koos expects to ski the men’s 15 classic on Tuesday (now postponed to Wednesday), and next Saturday’s free technique sprint. He plans on skipping the 30km event.

Colder temperatures are expected this evening, which might well enable additional snowmaking at the famed Black Mountain venue.

Men’s Final Results and Qualifications HERE.
Men’s Heats HERE.

Women’s Final Results and Qualifications HERE.
Women’s Heats HERE.

December 23, 2010 (Rumford, ME) – Although Mother Nature has been stingy with natural snow, the Chisholm Ski Club is still set to hold the 2011 U.S. Ski Championships in Rumford, Maine, Jan. 2-8. Organizers report that snow making weather has been great. Snow has been stock piled in the new stadium and in areas out in the open and snowmakers are now moving out on the trails – “…all guns are pointing to Nordic.”

Black Mountain has been getting a couple of inches a day of natural and it’s adding up. “They have limited snow on the ground, but they do have the capacity to make 5km of trails with a highly effective snow-making system. The 10-day outlook looks favorable to keep those snow guns running right up until official training for Jan 2, the first race,” said John Farra, USSA Nordic Program Director.

The weather forecast calls for more snow and cold weather. Plans are coming together and everyone is looking forward to great racing.

Register HERE.

USSA Release – Rumford Ready for U.S. Champs

RUMFORD, ME (Dec. 23) – World Cup regulars will align to kick off 2011 with the U.S. Cross Country Championships in Rumford, Jan. 2-8. The U.S. Ski Team headliners will include returning U.S. Champion Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO) as well as Liz Stephen (East Montpellier, VT) and Morgan Arritola (Fairfield, ID), who are coming off their best World Cup finishes, and Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO).The event includes two sprint and two distance races.

Officials expect good sow conditions for the races beginning just after New Years.

“We certainly do have snow at the venue! The weather is predicted to be favorable for making and keeping snow, with additional natural accumulation also expected,” said Roger Arsenault, Organizing Committee Chairman. “We’re looking forward to hosting the Championships and having everyone here in Rumford. As Chummy would say, we’re going to have a great race!”

Black Mountain of Maine has made several changes since last hosting the Championships in 2004, including widening the trails and expanding the stadium to accommodate the growth of the sport as well as to meet the USSA and FIS regulations. The snow making system has also been expanded over the years to cover up to 5k of the trail network, providing a great insurance policy for an early January event like this in the Northeast.

“The Chisholm Ski Club is very excited to play host to the 2011 U.S. Cross Country Championships at Black Mountain of Maine. We last hosted this event in 2004 when the field exploded to over 500 racers,” said Arsenault.

The field will be stacked with 2010 two-time U.S. Champion Hamilton, Stephen, Arritola and Hoffman leading the charge as they vie for U.S. Championship titles. Also looking to take top podium spots are USSA SuperTour leaders Lars Flora (Anchorage) and Holly Brooks (Anchorage) who have been posting strong results in the USSA SuperTour and Canadian NorAm circuits this fall.

In addition to the titles on the line, the Championships will act as the official trials for the Junior and U-23 Cross Country World Ski Championship teams, as well as the Junior Scandinavian Championships trip where athletes 17 and younger are eligible to compete.

Not only is this the one chance to win a 2011 U.S. Championship title, but it is also the final USSA National Ranking List races to be scored before the 2011 Nordic World Ski Championships team selection. The 2011 Nordic World Ski Championships will be held in Olso, Norway Feb. 23 – March 6.

The Chisholm Ski Club, originating in the 1920s, has been host to many national competitions including U.S. Championships, NCAA and USCSA Championships, 1950 Nordic World Ski Championships as well as the 1952 Olympic Trials. The 2011 U.S. Cross Country Championships marks the fourth time that the Chisholm Ski Club will host the event. The Club has also committed to holding the event in 2012.

The Championship series will kick off Sunday, Jan. 2 with the men’s and women’s 1k classic sprint race.

Registration for the 2011 U.S. Cross Country Championships closes Dec. 29th with late fees applicable after Dec. 26th. More information about the 2011 U.S. Cross Country Championships is available HERE.

Fans can also follow the event on the U.S. Cross Country Championships Facebook fan page HERE.

2011 U.S. Cross Country Championships Schedule
Rumford, ME

– Sun., Jan. 2 Men’s and women’s1k classic sprint
– Tues., Jan. 4 Men’s 15k and women’s 10k classic
– Thurs., Jan. 6 Men’s 30k and women’s 20k mass start freestyle
– Sat., Jan. 8 Men’s and women’s sprint 1k freestyle