Despite the amazingly warm weather in the Adirondacks - I am going bouldering today - the cross country racing season has started. The first important races (pre-world cup) were held this morning in Norway, and the US team which is still getting over its jet-lag had a good start to the season. In the sprint Newell and Koos finished 14th and 15th respectively in the men's event. While Kikkan Randall finished 9th in the women's event. Racing cotinued on Saturday with Kris Freeman taking 5th in the men's 15K, and Stephen and Arritola finishing 16th and 24th in the women's 10k. On the final day of racing in Norway Randall finished 4th in the women's 5K, Freeman finished 5th, and Newell finished 21st in the men's 10K ... a superb start of the season for USA. Click on this text to access a link for the full story. On a related aside, college teams and those not in Europe are assembling in West Yellowstone, the traditional early season training ground.