Distance races wrap up XC nationals

The 2007 U.S. Cross Country Championships conclude this week with distance title races that will feature U.S. Ski Team racers just off the World Cup tour. Kris Freeman will be looking to earn his third and fourth championships of the winter.
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The 2007 U.S. Cross Country Championships conclude this week with distance title races that will feature U.S. Ski Team racers just off the World Cup tour. Kris Freeman will be looking to earn his third and fourth championships of the winter.
    The championships, which also double as the $130,000 USSA SuperTour Finals, will have not only U.S. Ski Team racers but also a large influx of college and citizen skiers for the three events. The schedule:

March 28 — Freestyle sprints on the Caribou Ski Trails at Caribou H.S. (not a U.S. title race)
March 30 — Pursuits, men’s 30 km (15 CL+15 FR) and women’s 20 km (10 CL+10 FR) at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle
April 1 — Men’s 50 km FR and women’s 30 km FR at the Nordic Heritage Center

    “The Nordic Heritage Center staged great championships last year under tough conditions, and we’re looking forward to another outstanding set of races,” U.S. Nordic Director Luke Bodensteiner said. “They have a challenging set of trails, which add to the excitement, and the enthusiasm from the community is terrific. Starting with the sprints Wednesday, these should be a mix of fun and intensity, and a nice way for everyone to end the racing season.”
    A year ago, two-time Olympians Freeman and Wendy Wagner won the long-distance titles. Wagner retired at the end of the season, but Freeman is still racing — and won two more gold medals, over short distances — at the U.S. championships at Michigan Tech in Houghton in January.
    Freeman will be back to defend his 50 km title as well as the pursuit crown, which he won a year ago. Other U.S. Ski Team athletes, who have competed at the World Championships, the U-23 Championships and the Junior World Championships, include Olympians Lindsey Weier and Lindsay Williams, who recently won NCAA ski titles.