Team Ready for Ruka Opener

RUKA, Finland - Once again in 2014, Ruka will play host to the opening World Cup cross country event and the first test internationally for U.S. athletes. Unlike four previous editions, competitions in Ruka will not have the format of a stage-event but of two regular World Cup races. Cold conditions and ample snow promise strong conditions for the two events, a classic sprint and men’s 15k and women’s 10k classic event.

 

 

 

10:45 a.m. Qualification Sprint Classic

1:00 p.m. Finals Sprint Classic

 

11:15 a.m. Women10 k Classic

1:00 p.m. Men 15k Classic

 

It's great to be on the eve of a brand new season! We had a great pre camp in Munio getting adjusted to the time change and sharpening our form. I've had a solid year of training thus far and I am anxious and excited to see how it all adds up.

 

The courses here are definitely world cup style racing with steep claims and ripping fast downhills. The sprint specifically is short, fast, but also has one of the steepest hills we'll race all year, so much for easing into the season. Times are always super tight and it's a lot like a classic skiing drag rave up the climb into the stadium so you need to be fired up and on your game. It's always my goal to be on the podium here, my best ever finish in Kuusamo is fourth and it's about time I improved on that.

 

Ruka has historically been an exciting venue for the U.S. team. Kikkan had a breakthrough there last season with her first classic sprint podium. Andy Newell has been as high as fourth in the sprint there. Last year, Sadie Bjornsen was seventh in the classic race and Noah Hoffman laid down the fastest time of the day on Sunday. So these are courses that the U.S. athletes know well and know how to ski. Ruka will be interesting for us this season. Typically we’ve raced a full FIS weekend in Scandinavia prior to the Ruka opener. This year we decided to have a softer start to the season, so we have not raced yet. Our intention is to be in better form in February, so I would expect the Team to not be as sharp in Ruka. I am looking for some solid results from the Team, and any podium performances will actually come as a bit of a surprise.