US Nationals Post.....Or Lack There Of

I realize that I have been slacking on my racing reports. It did finally warm up enough to have a 5k skate and classic sprint at US Nationals. I also had the chance to race in the Besh Cup sprint just before Christmas.

The were many commendable performances in the races at US Nationals. One of the many highlighs was getting to see my former SHS/AWS and DU teammate, Mike Hinkley, lunge to a 2nd place photo finish in the sprint. The real unsung heroes for the week however were the volunteers. They stood around ALL day long in the frigid weather, day after day...for as many as 11 days in a row. The Alaska's nordic skiing community never ceases to impress me-- hats off to the people behind the scenes who made these races happen!

After nationals, several local elite skiers and US National team ladies came out to Kincaid to hold the first inaugural "FAST AND FEMALE" event (American version). Kikkan Randall did an outstanding job organizing the event. Over 160 young female skiers and 19 "instructors" got revved up to ski around in the sub-zero temps. We also got to feast on Subway sandwiches and Kaladi Brother's hot drinks, watch a ski film, play ski-trivia, listen to inspirational words from a few of the ladies, and sign posters. All I can say is that the world better watch out...we have some up and coming FAST little FEMALE skiers that are rockin' around the ski trails!