MEDIA

USSA Press Release Jan 3, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 3, 2018

Contact: Joey Caterinichio, U.S. Nationals Race Director, (907) 229-6427

Natalie Lowman, ConocoPhillips, (907) 263-4153

ConocoPhillips is premier sponsor of 2018 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships

Also sponsor of Junior Nationals in March 2018

ANCHORAGE, Jan. 3, 2018 – The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage (NSAA), host of the 2018 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships, is pleased to announce ConocoPhillips Alaska as the event’s premier sponsor.

“These races are a chance to showcase Anchorage’s world-class trails, facilities and hospitality,” said Joey Caterinichio, Nationals race director and NSAA board president. “As one of the qualifying events for American skiers to make the Olympic ski team, this is a tremendous opportunity for them to inspire the next generation of Alaskan skiers. ConocoPhillips has been a valuable long-time supporter of cross country skiing in Alaska and we are excited to have them as the premier sponsor for the championships.”

The 2018 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championship are affiliated with the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA). The event is scheduled for January 3-8 at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. Find a full schedule of events at www.usnationals2018.com.

“ConocoPhillips is honored to support this event and all the athletes who will compete beginning today,” said Joe Marushack, president of ConocoPhillips Alaska. “We congratulate the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage and Municipality of Anchorage on being selected to host this prestigious event, and hope Alaskans will come out and watch some of the best skiers in the nation. It is very exciting to be a part of these championships and to support these world-class athletes as they race toward victory.”

For more event, race and athlete information including results, schedules, maps and livestreaming of events, bookmark the following pages: Official website: www.usnationals2018.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/xcusnats2018/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/usnats18 Twitter: www.twitter.com/usnats18

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 30, 2017

Contact: Elizabeth Arnold, Co-Chief of Media, media@usnationals2018.com, (907) 242-2633

Josh Niva, Co-Chief of Media, media@usnationals2018.com, (907) 301-5287

America’s athletes are arriving. The trails are being groomed.

The L.L.Bean U.S. Cross Country Championships begin January 3

ANCHORAGE, AK – The top cross-country skiers from across Alaska and America will compete for more than prestigious national titles in the 2018 L.L.Bean U.S. Cross Country Championships, which begin Wednesday, January 3, and continue through Monday, January 8, at Kincaid Park. The races will also be used as part of the selection process for Olympic berths as well as to determine roster spots on the FIS Junior World Championship, U23 Championship and U18 Scandinavian Cup teams.

The competitions will feature two freestyle and two classic events for men and women. The top American in each race will be crowned national champion. While primary selection for the 2018 Olympic Cross Country Team will come from World Cup races, some final spots can be determined from Nationals results. Olympic team nominations will be announced the week of January 23.

Here is some media-specific information to assist in covering the events, whether from Kincaid Park in Anchorage or from afar.

 Events schedule: All races at Kincaid Park; schedule subject to change

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, January 3

Men’s 15k freestyle interval start; Women’s 10k freestyle interval start

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, January 5

Men’s and women’s freestyle sprints

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, January 7

Men’s 30k classic mass start; Women’s 20k classic mass start; Junior men’s 10k classic mass start; Junior women’s 5k classic mass start

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, January 8

Men’s and women’s classic sprints

Find a full schedule – race days and off-days – at www.anchoragenordicski.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2018-US-Nationals-Event-Schedule-Coast.pdf.

 Results from every race will be posted in a timely manner at www.anchoragenordicski.com/nationals18/results/. Photos with captions will also be posted there as they are available.

 In addition, a race day recap press release will be sent at the end of each event day. The releases will include quotes, attached photos and more. On non-race days, additional news, updates or sidebars will be sent in media advisories, as appropriate.

 The races will be livestreamed by CXC Skiing/X-Country Live. U.S. Ski & Snowboard will host the livestream at www.facebook.com/usskiandsnowboard/ and it will also be shared at the 2018 Nationals Facebook page, www.facebook.com/xcusnats2018/. Timing will be provided by Superior Timing.

 For media attending the events, credentials will be available. Please send requests to media@usnationals2018.com; you will be added to a list and informed on when/where to receive your credentials. You may also be provided with a bib that identifies you as media for when you are in the racing areas.

 There will be a media working area with electricity and internet access available upstairs in the Kincaid Park chalet.

 Results from the freestyle races and the classic distance events will be used to determine the teams for the 2018 FIS Junior & U23 World Ski Championships in Goms, Switzerland, January 28-February 3. All races in Anchorage are also part of the 2017-18 SuperTour and points will count towards the overall SuperTour titles, Olympic Winter Games selection and international World Cup starts. The long distance and team championships will take place March 23-28 in Craftsbury, Vermont.

Additional 2018 L.L.Bean U.S. Cross Country Championships event, race and athlete information is available at: Official website: www.usnationals2018.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/xcusnats2018/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/usnats18/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/usnats18

Questions or comments? Please email media@usnationals2018.com