November 16, 2009 (Beitostolen, Norway) – The season’s got to start sometime; the season’s got to start somewhere. Last week the U.S. Ski Team took to the skies, heading to Beitostolen, Norway. Four days later, the Americans started pulling on the race numbers, starting the season in earnest.

What follows are some thoughts on the scene here in Beitostolen. Little tidbits like getting the feel for the snow back, thoughts about the three days of racing and how they see the rest of the winter unfolding. The racing continues next week with the World Cup opening weekend, a 10km women’s/15km men’s skate individual start skate on Saturday and the 4x5km women’s /4x10km men’s relay Sunday. Until then, enjoy.

“Beitostolen, it’s Norway’s equivalent to West Yellowstone,” says Lars Flora. Everybody in the ski world’s here – except my girlfriend, whose racing in Sweden this past weekend instead. So I guess it’s not everyone, but it’s still a crazy good scene here – lots of biathlon, lots of Nordic skiing going on. For myself, it’s a little bit of a slow start. I’m excited for the World Cup opener, especially to be part of a team that’s kicking ass. The U.S. had a strong start to the season. I see this as a really good sign for this six week, pre-Christmas World Cup tour.

“Six days down in Europe, and it’s been six really good days,” says U.S. Ski Team coach Matt Whitcomb. “For some, it’s a considerable travel here from the States – from six to ten hours of time change for the athletes. I’d say the athletes have had very solid training and travel. This is evident in these first three days of racing. Some of these results have been like eating ice cream before the main course has even been served.

“Everyone’s healthy, food’s been good, the lodging’s near the ski trails. These Scandinvaian Cups are basically North Europe’s SuperTours. And Beitostolen being the World Cup home opener next week, we have basically half the World Cup field here (like Norway, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, United States, Slovenia, Australia). It’s been both exciting and inspiring to be at the venue everyday.”

Whitcomb on Kikkan’s breakthrough 4th place Scandinavia Cup distance race:
“I mean, she just came out charging. The sprint race was a real solid result; qualifying seventh, finishing ninth. There was talk that this might have been Kikkan’s best classic sprint ever. Then today she hammers out a phenomenal five kilometer. When I saw her after the race she said, “I got a little worried because I was feeling so good.” [Laughs]. So there’s that.”

Whitcomb On Bird Hanging up two consecutive fifth place results:
“Kris was super solid. You know, this is really nice because he doesn’t feel like he’s in peak form right now but he’s still feeling really strong. The Birdman’s in a good place right now. We saw some really impressive skiing from him this weekend.”

Whitcomb on the upcoming World Cup Openers:
“This is a different look for the U.S. Ski Team than we’ve had to start the World Cup season in a long time. We have six National Teamers and seven Americans taking to the line here next weekend. We’ll also have nearly a full coaching and service team to get the skis right. In terms of life on the road, having a bigger team, especially one that’s getting results, will make it an easier time over here. I also look forward to be looking back and seeing how the rest of the team opens up the season in West Yellowstone in a week.”

Arritola on testing out the classic sprint and the value of putting on the race number:
“My two goals going in were get a good double pole going and lunge at the finish. I got the leg out there pretty good when I crossed the line and the double pole felt good, so I got those things done. [laughs]. I want to get better at sprinting for sprinting’s sake, though, if it helps me get better in five and ten kilometers, I’m all for it. Mostly, though, it just felt real good to slide into that race bib.”

Arritola on more of her specialty, distance skate racing:
“In the ten kilometer skate, it took the first five kilometer loop to figure out that I needed to ski faster, and could ski faster, so I really skied into this race. I didn’t feel amazing. This is okay for right now. A mid twenties result here is okay. More than anything, I needed a solid effort and that’s what I was able to produce.”

Liz Stephen: happy to back in Norway:
“Norway’s awesome. It’s crazy expensive. But it’s awesome,” says Liz Stephen. “The summer of 2003 on the Sogne Fjell glacier was my last time in Norway. I’ve been waiting to come back here. It’s good to be back, especially the winter.

“I was less nervous for these races than I’ve ever been in opening the season in West Yellowstone. It’s good to try something new. I’ve been going to West to start the season ever since I first discovered cross-country. Also, I’m fired up to start the World Cup season. We’ve been training all season. Now we can put on the race bib and show what we can do. We’ll fire it up that much more this season.”

Kris on Kris – 5th & 5th in the Season Openers
“I’m pretty psyched to start the season off this way. You know, I skied into both races. I wasn’t that high up in the splits early on and picked off a few guys as the race went on. This is what I wanted to do; this is how I’ve worked my intensities this year.
“My career best races, I’ve always come on the last five kilometers. In my career, I’ve also been terribly inconsistent, going through the first split stations on the World Cup in the top five, then dropped off. I mean, that sucks so for me this is a better way to race.

“I don’t feel peaked out at all, knock on wood. I have no reason to be peaked-out as I’ve kept up a high volume of work. I should get faster through the season. That’s what I’ve been working for and what I’m hoping for, at least.”