US National Championships in Fairbanks, AK

Brent Knight, James Southam, and Becca Rorabaugh each metaled in the 5k classic race. Results can be found here.
Kikkan Randall (APU) tags Katie Ronsse (APU), while Maria Stuber (CXC) tags off to Caitlin Compton (CXC) in the 6x1.5k Sprint Relay event at the 2009 US National Championships. (Photo credit: Sam Harrel of the Fairbanks Daily News Miner). The team sprint was one of the hardest races I've ever done. The distance skiers and sprinters were mixing it up together since the race didnt entirely cater to either type of athlete. It was basically doing 3x4' intervals as hard as possible-- with some extra motivation knowing I wasn't just racing for myself, but also for my teammate, club, and spectators who have watched me develop as a skier. I lost some ground to the US ski Team's team, CXC, and Saab/Salomon, but have to be satisfied with giving my absolute best effort. Kikkan skied strong despite having arrived earlier in the day from traveling for 3 months on the World Cup circuit, and we still ended up with a bronze medal.
Home-town hero, Becca Rorabaugh, with an up and coming local skier. Many of the elite female skiers got a chance to ski and play games with the female youth of Fairbanks. Becca's family took care of me for the week and there was a lot of laughing to be had at the "Rorabaugh Ranch". Also, I got a fantastic massage from Norma Haubenstock, which helped me recover in between racing. Check out her clinic if you're in Fairbanks!

Time to Recharge

In attempt to get back on Alaska-time and off east-coast-time I laid down for a nap at 5:30pm thinking when I got up I would be able to keep my eyes open a little later. That "little nap" turned into a 14hrs snooze-fest, where I didn't wake up until 7:30 the next morning. I guess that's an even better way of adjusting to a time zone and recovering from a week of 5 races.

I feel like my fitness is up to scratch and the training I needed has been done; all I need to do at this point is recharge. We are driving up to Fairbanks this weekend to prep for the continuation of the US National Championships. By the time Tuesday rolls around I will be ready for another solid week of racing.

Congratulations DU- 2009 NCAA Champs!

University of Denver's Ski Team claimed their 20th NCAA title today and are once again back-to-back NCAA National Champions. DU continues to be the most winning NCAA skiing history. Way to go Alma mater!

Podium at Canadian Nationals!

I made the podium yesterday in the individual classic sprint race at Canadian Nationals. In the A-final, Valaas dominated the race while Shayla Swanson and I lunged to the line for second. They let us review the photo finish in the timing hut after the race, and sure enough-- Shayla was 2nd overall and was crowned as the Canadian National Champion. I was still thrilled to be third! Women's Podium- Laura Valaas (USA), Shayla Swanson (CAN), Katie Ronsse (USA), Alysson Marshall(CAN), and Kate Brennan(CAN). Brennan won the prelim and was sitting in contention for a medal untill she crashed out in the final.
My teammates Mike Matteson, Ky Eiben, Bart Dengel, and Peter Kling enjoying the skiing and sunshine this morning. Tomorrow is the 30k/50k skate.

The Momentum Continues at Nationals

We had *four* APU women in the top 10 in yesterday's 10k classic race here at Canadian Nationals. Ky and Fitz rockin the pink hats AND the ski trails.

Valaas put the stomp down and came home with the WIN! Kate Fitz was jaw dropping 6th, Taz was an encouraging 9th, and I finished in a "whoop" worthy 7th! Ky gave an outstanding effort on a challenging day and is fired up for the upcoming sprint and 30k skate. Bart, Pete, and Mikey hammered to 16th, 28th, and 33rd in a loaded men's field.
Women's classic results can be found HERE and Men's are HERE. Our great results on a tricky klister day speak highly of our skis and wax-- thank you Erik and Casey.

The skate race was also a good day for the Alaskans. Women's results are HERE, Men's are HERE, and if you want the inside scoop from an athlete's point of view you should check out Laura's blog. Also, Team Sprint results I forgot to put up earlier are HERE.

On a separate note, I wanted to say KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK to my favorite college team and Alma matter, the University of Denver. They have 2 days of racing down, they have 2 to go, and are LEADING the team championship so far. I would love to see DU defend last year's Championship and bring home the record-crunching 20th NCAA title. Go Pioneers!

Candian National Championships in Duntroon, Ontario

According to the flight attendant it was 19 degrees when I arrived in Toronto on Friday...and that was in Celsius! Translation: 67 degrees F, t-shirts, and green grass. But by the time Don Ellis drove Laura and I through the rolling hills toward his childhood turf in Collingwood, ON, we began to see some snow. The heat blast has made it challenging for the volunteers and race organizers, but so far they have been able to put on successful Canadian National Championship races. I'm told that the race organizers have stock piled snow, are treating it with Nitrogen, and they have done a lot of shoveling. It's also nice to have assistance from mother nature, since there's a noticable lake-effect from Lake Huron.

The volunteers set up 10 pumps to pump out the water from the stadium after the rain came pouring down.
Ronsse racing in the slush. Luckily, I've had some practice racing in the slush-- its not much different from conditions we typically see on Eagle Glacier.
Valaas, hammering on the final leg of the first inaugural Ronsse-Valaas team sprint. It was a total success and we came in with the win!
Laura Valaas and Katie Ronsse post race. Thank you to Utah's Devon Spika for taking photos during and after our race!

Its going to be a big week of racing. This morning was a 5/10k skate race on a firm track after a evening/night of pouring rain that turned into snow by morning! Next is a 10/15k classic, classic sprint, and a 30k/50k skate. Its going to be tough...

but we are ready!