US Distance Championships in less than two weeks

2011 U.S. Cross Country Championships

Sun, Mar  13, 2011 - By US Ski Team

SUN VALLEY, ID (Mar. 11) – In than less than two weeks cross country endurance's elite will be heading to Sun Valley, ID for the final two distance races of the U.S. Cross Country Championships Mar. 26-27. The two long distance events of 50k for the men and 30k for women will kick off the USSA SuperTour Finals.

With the majority of the Championship series held in Rumford, ME in January, Sun Valley is the last chance for athletes to clinch a 2011 U.S. Championship title. Standing in the way of ambitious athletes will be defending champions Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) and Tad Elliott (Durango, CO), who are both coming in strong off the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo.

Elliott already earned a 2011 title in the men's 30k freestyle technique a few months back, but is looking to add another. Randall, who did not attend the Championships in Maine because she was on the World Cup circuit, skied away with six titles last season.

The men will open up the final Championship races Saturday with a 50k classic technique followed by the women's 30k on Sunday. There is $4,200 purse shared by the top three men and women.  Tues., Mar. 29 will open the SuperTour Finals, with the series title on the line along with another $15,600 in prize money up for grabs across the four race event.

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2011 U.S. Cross Country Championship 30/50k
Sun Valley, ID

Sat., Mar 26 – Men's 50k classic technique
Sun., Mar. 27 – Women's 30k classic technique