Photos: 2025 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships and SuperTour in Anchorage
The field includes dozens of Alaska-based athletes from UAA, UAF and APU. Racing continues through Jan. 7 at Kincaid Park.
By Anchorage Daily News
Published: January 5, 2025
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University of Denver’s Krystof Zatloukai leads teammate Elijah Weenig and APU’s Hunter Wonders into a turn. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Skiers compete in a men’s semifinal race. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Mariel Merlii Pulles of Team Birkie races in the quarterfinals. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
APU’s Michael Earnhart skis toward a first place finish. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
University of Utah’s Erica Laven starts her quarterfinal race. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Skiers in a men’s semifinal race cross the finish line. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Montana State’s Kate Oldham climbs during a quarterfinal race. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Tabitha Williams of UAF, right, chases other racers in the quarterfinals. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Eve-Ondine Duchaufour of University of Denver turns on the sprint course. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Karolina Kaleta, center, and other skiers kick up snow as they push toward the finish line of a semifinal race. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
APU’s Garrett Butts, left, and Walker Hall of University of Utah race in the semifinals. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Racers in a men’s quarterfinal race pass a soggy portion of the stadium at Kincaid Park. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
APU’s Luke Jager pushes into the finish line of a semifinal race. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Kristoffer Alm Karsrud of Northern Michigan University, left, APU’s Luke Jager kick up snow as the approach the finish line. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
University of Utah’s Erica Laven, left, and Team Birkie’s Mariel Merlii Pulles cross the finish line in the women’s finals. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Northern Michigan’s Luke Fricker, left, and Carl Rune of University of Utah compete in the quarterfinals. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Mariel Merlii Pulles of Team Birkie races in the semifinals. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
APU’s Michael Earnhart after his first place finish. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Montana State’s Anna Pryce races. Cross-country ski racers competed in the freestyle sprint event as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard SuperTour on January 7, 2025. The SuperTour race was held in conjunction with the U.S Cross Country Ski Championship races, which concluded Sunday. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Kendall Kramer of UAF sprints to victory in the open women 20K classic race during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Erica Laven, right, of Sweden who skis for the University of Utah, was runner-up. (Bill Roth / ADN)
Olympian Luke Jager (5) of Anchorage double-poles during the open men 20K classic mass start during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Jager place third-overall in the distance race. (Bill Roth / ADN)
Open men 20K classic race winner Andreas Kirkeng (4) of Norway, and 4th place finisher Florian Knopf of Germany (6), both ski for the University of Denver, round a corner in the stadium during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
Olympian Luke Jager with APU, who placed third, skis up Gong Hill while competing in the open men 20K classic race during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
Ray Wonders and his wife Roberta, along with their granddaughter Noa, 2, cheer for their son Hunter Wonders who placed 8th in the open men 20K classic race during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
Open men 20K classic race winner Andreas Kirkeng (4) and 4th place finisher Florian Knopf (6), both with University of Denver, ski up Gong Hill during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
UAA skier Erling Bjoernstad of Norway recovers in the finish area after placing 18th in the open men 20K classic race during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
UAF's Kendall Kramer, right, en route to winning the open women 20K classic race during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
Samantha Smith, center, skied to a sixth-place finish during the open women 20K classic race during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
Open women 20K classic mass start during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
Open women hit the trails at Kincaid Park during the 20K classic mass start during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
UAF's Kendall Kramer skied to victory in the open women 20K classic race during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
UAA's Alexandra Otto of Germany placed 32nd in the open women 20K classic race at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
Kendall Kramer of UAF celebrates her victory in the open women 20K classic race during the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships at Kincaid Park in Anchorage on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (Bill Roth / ADN)
APU’s Luke Jager finishes his sprint finals race. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Florian Knopf of University of Denver tucks for a downhill. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Peter Hinds of UAA competes in a quarterfinal race. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Eve-Ondine Duchaufour of University of Denver begins a quarterfinal sprint race. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Samantha Smith of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, left, is congratulated by University of Utah’s Erica Laven after the finals. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
UAA’s Murphy Kimball climbs Gong Hill on the sprint course. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
APU’s Luke Jager talks to his coach, Erik Flora, after the sprint finals race. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Dartmouth’s Nina Seemann tucks for a downhill portion of the race course. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Erin Bianco of Bridger Ski Foundation takes a breath before her finals race begins. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Samantha Smith of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation pushes into the finish line during a semifinal race. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
University of Utah’s Erica Laven and Mariel Merlii Pulles of Team Birkie descend a hill on the sprint course during the women’s finals. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
APU’s Thomas O’Harra hits a curve after a dowhill portion of the sprint course. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Samantha Smith of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation talks after her sprint finals race. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Katey Houser of Montana State University pushes into the finish line of a quarterfinal race. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Emma Albrecht of Bridger Ski Foundation turns on the course. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
UAA’s Murphy Kimball is congratuated after his sprint finals race. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Dartmouth’s Nina Seemann, left, and Erin Bianco of Bridger Ski Foundation race in the quarterfinals. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Luke Jager of APU competes in a quarterfinal sprint race. The second day of racing at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured 1.4 kilometer classic sprints at Kincaid Park on January 4, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
UAF’s Aidan Hay catches his breath after crossing the finish line. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Samantha Smith of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, left, and Michaela Keller-Miller of Craftsbury Green Racing Project compete. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Cora Faye Scott of Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation races. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Haley Brewster of University of Vermont passes spectators. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Kiera Stabile of Stratton Mountain School recovers after crossing the finish line. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Marit Flora of UAA descends a hill. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Middlebury’s Jack Christner begins his race. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
APU’s Hunter Wonders, left, climbs a hill. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Dane Karch of APU rests after finishing his race. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
APU’s Natalie Hood races. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Isabella Waters of Bridger Ski Foundation takes a breath before her race begins. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Tula Higman of Bridger Ski Foundation crests a hill. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
UAA’s Parke Chapin skis down a hill. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Spectators watch the race as Michael Earnhart of APU climbs. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Hedda Samuelsson of University of Wisconsin Green Bay warms up her ears after crossing the finish line. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Thomas O’Harra of APU starts his race. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Kendall Kramer of UAF climbs a hill. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
William Bentley of Ski and Snowboard Club of Vail rounds a turn. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Kendall Kramer of UAF pushes over a hill. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Nina Seemann of Dartmouth begins her race after an interval start. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
APU’s Kelsey Johannes wraps up under a blanket as she waits for her interval start. The first day of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships featured men’s and women’s 10-kilometer freestyle races at Kincaid Park on January 2, 2025. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Hundreds of America’s fastest cross-country skiers gathered to race in Anchorage for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships. The field includes dozens of Alaska-based athletes from UAA, UAF and APU. Racing began on Jan. 2 and continues through Jan. 7 at Kincaid Park. The event also included a day of racing for U.S Ski and Snowboard’s SuperTour series.
