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News Release Anchorage Kicks Off 2009 with U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Dec. 19, 2008 – The best cross country skiing competition in the nation is just a two weeks away, with the 2009 ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships scheduled to run Jan. 3-8, 2009, in Anchorage, Alaska. More than 400 skiers, including likely 2010 Olympic competitors, top collegians and the nation’s best juniors, will take part in the races at Kincaid Park, Alaska’s premier Nordic skiing venue. All events are free and open to the public. “We’re thrilled to host the best skiers in America in an incredible race venue,” said Joey Caterinichio, co-chair of the event organizing committee. “All the pieces have been coming together very smoothly.” Racing begins on Jan. 3, 2009, with classic sprints. Recent improvements to the stadium area trails at Kincaid Park have made the 1.2 kilometer course very spectator friendly. The former Nike missile base is home to 60 kilometers of trails and has a large chalet for athletes and spectator use. Distance races fill the middle of the championship schedule, with 10 kilometer (women) and 15 kilometer (men) freestyle races on Jan. 5, 2009, and 5 kilometer (women) and 10 kilometer (men) classic races on Jan. 7, 2009. Sprinting takes center stage again on Jan. 8, 2009, with the team sprints. Teams of two skiers each compete in the mass start event, with each skier completing the sprint course three times, tagging their partner in the stadium start-finish area. The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage and the Municipality of Anchorage are hosting the events, helped by scores of volunteers and financial donors. The ConocoPhillips U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships is one of four major events set for Anchorage this winter. Also on tap are the World Youth/Junior Biathlon Team Trials (Dec. 26-30, 2008), U.S. National Masters (March 5-8, 2009) and USSA J2 Junior Olympic Ski Jumping Championships (March 3-7, 2009). Full details on the January ski championships, including registration forms for athletes and course maps, are available on-line at www.uscrosscountrychampionships.org. The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, a contribution established in 1978, and one-third goes to the construction and annual maintenance costs of the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center and the William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.
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