UAF’s Kendall Kramer wins classic mass-start race at U.S. ski championships to claim her first national title

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)

Kendall Kramer is accustomed to reaching the podium against the best competition in the country, in both cross country running and skiing.

Between the two sports, the University of Alaska Fairbanks senior endurance student-athlete had racked up a quartet of runner-up finishes, including in the NCAA Division II national cross country championship this past fall and Thursday’s 10K freestyle at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Anchorage at Kincaid Park.

With one more shot to reach the top of the podium in Sunday’s 20K classic mass start race, Kramer made the most of it: Not only did she win her first national title, but she also was the top overall finisher in a field that included American and international skiers.

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)

“It’s super awesome and I had no idea that was what would happen today,” she said. “It was, honestly, a really chill race. I had a fun time, just rolled with what happened and I’m happy with the outcome.”

International athletes attending colleges or representing American-based clubs often take part in these competitions but aren’t eligible to be crowned the U.S. national champion, even if they cross the finish line first — as was the case in two of the three men’s division races at this year’s championships.

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, crossed the finish line second. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Kramer’s first-place time of 58 minutes, 17.2 seconds just edged out overall runner-up Erica Laven, a Swede skiing for the University of Utah, who clocked in at 58:19.6 a day after being the top overall finisher in the women’s classic sprint race finals Saturday.

“In these long mass-start races, you kind of have to roll with what’s happening in front of you and sometimes you get caught behind people, sometimes there’s a mishap or a collision and that’s just how the race ends up, so I try not to pressure myself too much, but I know I can stick with anyone now in these races,” Kramer said.

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)

The next closest American was Lauren Jortberg with a time of 59:51.3 followed by Kate Oldham 59:51.6, both of whom hail from Colorado. Oldham, who skis for Montana State, had just edged out Kramer for the top spot on the podium in Thursday’s freestyle race, and Kramer said that returning the favor on a course she considers home — having grown up in Fairbanks and competing on the trails at Kincaid Park for most of her life — gave it even more significance.

“I feel so grateful and really feel at home here,” she said. “I’ve been in Anchorage for so many years now and all my family could be here. Once I knew I had a shot to be the national champion, I didn’t want to settle for second and I just used the rest of my energy and let it happen.”

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)

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2025 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championship

Women’s 20K Classic Mass Start Overall

1. Kendall Kramer, University of Fairbanks, 58:17.2; 2. Erica Laven, University of Utah, 58:19.6; 3. Lauren Jortberg, CNEPH, 59:51.3; 4. Kate Oldham, Montana State, 59:51.6; 5. Erin Bianco, BSF, 59:51.8; 6. Samantha Smith, SVSEF, 59:59.2; 7. Renae Anderson, APU ,59:59.4; 8. Eve-Ondine Duchaufour, University of Denver, 1:00:01.2; 9. Selma Nevin, University of Utah, 1:00:06.5; 10. Shea Brams, Middlebury, 1:00:08.0

Men’s 20K Classic Mass Start Overall

1. Andreas Kirkeng, University of Denver, 50:47.5; 2. John Steel Hagenbuch, Dartmouth College, 50:58.0; 3. Luke Jager, APU, 50:59.2; 4. Florian Knopf, University of Denver, 51:03.3; 5. Will Koch, University of Colorado, 51:11.2; 6. Michael Earnhart, APU, 51:11.5; 7. Garrett Butts, APU, 51:13.2; 8. Hunter Wonders, APU, 51:17.6; 9. Scott Patterson, APU, 51:25.4; 10. Hugo Hinckfuss, University of Colorado, 51:40.0

Photos: 2025 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Anchorage

More photos from the event.