Stephen wins U.S. Distance Champs
US Nationals
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 - By USSA
NORDEN, California (April 10) – Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT) endured the warm spring temperatures Wednesday and finished first in the 30k classic mass start race, becoming the women’s 2013 USSA National Distance Champion at Royal Gorge Ski Area. Stephen led all three laps but broke away during the final lap. She finished over a minute ahead of teammate and World Cup Champion Kikkan Randall (Anchorage). This was the final women’s cross country race of the season for the U.S. Ski Team. The men compete tomorrow in the USSA National Distance Championship 50k classic mass start race at Royal Gorge Ski Area.
Liz Stephen became the women’s 2013 USSA National Distance Champion Wednesday at Royal Gorge Ski Area while teammate and World Cup Champion Kikkan Randall came in second. (SuperTour Finals 2013)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT) finished first in the 30k classic mass start race, becoming the women’s 2013 USSA National Distance Champion at Royal Gorge Ski Area near Lake Tahoe, CA.
- Stephen led all three laps but broke away during the final lap.
- She finished over a minute ahead of teammate and World Cup Champion Kikkan Randall (Anchorage).
- Rosie Brennan (Park City, UT/APU Nordic) took third while World Champion Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) finished fourth and Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA) eighth.
- Sunny weather and temperatures around 55 degrees made for slushy snow and slow race conditions.
- Racers were allowed two ski exchanges, but most opted to skip the exchanges because of the conditions.
- This was the final women’s cross country race of the season for the U.S. Ski Team.
- The men compete tomorrow in the USSA National Distance Championship 50k classic mass start race at Royal Gorge Ski Area.
RESULTS
Official Results