World Cup Highlights:

Yesterday concluded the opening races of the 2012 FIS Nordic World Cup, held in Sweden and Finland...

- Earlier in the week the U.S. Women's team made history in the 4 X 5 kilometer relay race with a 3rd place finish.  This was the first podium finish for a U.S. women's relay team in a World Cup Event.  The U.S. relay team included Kikkan Randall, Jessie Diggins, Holly Brooks, and Liz Stephen (VT Native!)

U.S. women's relay team

Check out highlights from the relay race.  Note the U.S. in the black uniforms...
          4 X 5 kilometer women's relay video clip

- The U.S. men's team finished 15th overall in the 4 X 7.5 Kilometer relay.

- Other strong finishes  included Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT), who finshed 9th place in Friday's classic sprint race.  This score was a career best for the VT Native.  Kikkan Randall also finished 3rd in the 10k individual freestyle, and 5th in the 10K classic.
          Randall's 3rd place skate finish

Last week we spent some time focusing on the basic athletic stance and the classic diagonal stride.  Check out the classic diagonal stride and double pole of the men in the 15 k classic race.  Aside from the brute strength and quickness, notice their body position, especially how forward their weight is when planting their poles.  
             15 k Classic Men