Alaskans skied to top finishes Thursday as the US National Cross Country Ski Championships got underway in Vermont.
Caitlin Patterson of Anchorage won the women’s ten kilometer classic technique event, while Anchorage based skiers Jessica Yeaton, Rosie Frankowski, Hannah Halvorsen and Kendall Kramer of Fairbanks, were all in the top ten. Kramer was the number one skier in the under-18 age group.
In the men’s 15 kilometer race, Anchorage based skiers David Norris, Scott Patterson, and Gus Schumacher, placed 5th, 6th and 7th , with Schumacher the top junior finisher. Skate technique sprint races are happening Friday, and the national championships wrap up Sunday, with men’s 30 kilometer and women’s 20 K events.
All races are being held on the Craftsbury Outdoor Center trails.
Results from the championships are used to help select skiers for US teams participating in races in Europe, including World Championships.
Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
