Fairbanks club to host U.S. distance XC nationals

For the second consecutive year, the Alaska's Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks will host the 2009 U.S. Distance Cross Country Championships at Birch Hill.
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — For the second consecutive year, the Alaska's Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks will host the 2009 U.S. Distance Cross Country Championships at Birch Hill.
    The event will hold the final 30 and 50 kilometer events prior to Olympic team selection. The entire U.S. cross-country team is expected to compete and will feature World Cup winner and native Alaskan Kikkan Randall as well as Olympians Chris Cook, Kris Freeman, Torin Koos and Andy Newell.
    "The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks race organization has earned an outstanding reputation for putting on events," said USSA Nordic Program Director John Farra. "They did a great job this year, and we are looking forward to another great championship series in Fairbanks. The snow and the weather were perfect this year, and we expect the same in 2009."
    The event, which will take place at the Birch Hill Recreation Area five minutes from Fairbanks, will also be a part of the Tour of the Golden Heart ski festival. The event includes two days of competition from the nation's best distance cross-country skiers on Birch Hill's 30 km of groomed trails.
    The NCSF, which hosted the 1977, 1995 and 2003 Junior Olympics and a FIS Men's Cross Country World Cup in 1984, is excited to be a part of the national event again.
    "Racing is just a part of what the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks does, and we do it very well," NSCF President Dan Johnson said. "We are thrilled to have the U.S. Ski Team coming to town for a visit, and excited to have the opportunity to host another set of National Championship events at Birch Hill."

2009 U.S. Distance Cross Country Championships Schedule:

March 27 – Women 15 km Pursuit, Men 30 km Pursuit
March 29 – Women 30 km Classic, Men 50 km Classic marathons