PARK CITY, UT (Nov. 22, 2016) – The 2016-17 U.S. Cross Country Ski Team was announced today, just before the International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup opener in Ruka, Finland on Nov. 26. A total of 16 athletes were named to the A, B and D Teams.
Head Coach Chris Grover is anticipating a strong season with stars on both the men’s and women’s side, and an especially deep women’s team with the return of Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK), who took last season off for the birth of her first child.
The season kicks off in northern Finland and will feature the 11th running of the Tour de Ski in early January, FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti, Finland in late February, plus the USANA FIS Nordic Junior World Championships and U23 World Championships on the Olympic trails at Soldier Hollow near Midway, UT.
HIGHLIGHTS
- A total of 16 athletes were formally named to the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team.
- The past season tied the best in USA World Cup team history with 11 podiums total.
- Randall returns: Veteran Kikkan Randall is returning to World Cup racing after the birth of her son Breck this past April.
- Jessie Diggins and Sophie Caldwell both had World Cup wins last season (first for Caldwell) with Diggins collecting seven podiums and Caldwell two podiums. Simi Hamilton had his best season ever with two World Cup podiums.
- Women’s relay success: Last season, the 4x5k women’s relay team had the best finish in the history of U.S. women’s skiing with a second place in Nove Mesto.
- World Championships: All eyes are on the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships this year, taking place in Lahti, Finland.
- U.S. Ski Team debuts: Ian Torchia and Hannah Halvorsen make their U.S. Cross Country Ski Team debuts this season.
- Off-season prep: The team had productive camps this year in Bend, OR, Mt. Bachelor, OR, Eagle Glacier, AK, Wanaka, New Zealand and a dryland camp in Park City, UT.
- Soldier Hollow: The Olympic venue of Soldier Hollow near Midway, UT will play host to the U.S. Cross Country Championships Jan. 7-12, 2017 and the USANA 2017 FIS Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships Jan. 28-Feb. 8, 2017.
- The World Cup opens November 26-27 in Ruka, Finland.
Top row: Hannah Halvorsen, Katharine Ogden, Sophie Caldwell, Rosie Brennan, Julia Kern. Bottom row:Liz Stephen, Ida Sargent, Jessie Diggins, Kikkan Randall, Sadie Bjornsen.
QUOTES
Chris Grover, Head Coach
I believe the 2016-17 squad will be the strongest team in the history of USA cross country ski racing. With the return of Kikkan Randall, we have an incredibly experienced and veteran group of podium performers headed to Europe this fall. We’ve had a very productive preparation period that has included more time working on technique on snow than ever before. The Team is healthy, fit and stoked for the 11th edition of the Tour de Ski, the 2017 Lahti Nordic World Championships and the World Cup in general.
Robert Lazzaroni, Nordic Domestic Program Director
The 2016-17 U.S. Cross Country Ski Team has experienced skiers and younger skiers, a great staff and a very strong team spirit. It’s a very important season for U.S. cross country skiing. With the USANA 2017 FIS Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships taking place in Park City, UT—the first time in the U.S. since 1986—we have the opportunity to showcase the talent we have domestically. On the World Cup side, this is the last season before the 2018 Olympics. The Lahti 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships will be the key focus of the season. Go USA!
Left to right: Patrick Caldwell, Noah Hoffman, Simi Hamilton, Erik Bjornsen, Andy Newell.
2015-16 U.S. CROSS COUNTRY SKI TEAM ROSTER
Name (hometown; home club) (skis, boots, poles, eyewear, gloves) birthdate
* Olympian
** World Championship team member
*** Participating in Westminster College partnership program
A Team
Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA; Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center) (Fischer, Fischer, Swix, Rudy Project, Swix) 11/21/1989 * **
Sophie Caldwell (Peru, VT; SMS Elite Team) (Fischer, Fischer, Swix, Rudy Project, Toko) 3/22/90 * **
Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN; SMS Elite Team) (Salomon, Salomon, Swix, Rudy Project, Swix) 8/26/1991 * ** ***
Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO; SMS Elite Team) (Fischer, Fischer, Excel, Oakley, Toko) 5/14/1987* **
Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT; SMS Elite Team) (Fischer, Alpina, Swix, Rudy Project, Swix) 11/30/1983 * **
Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center) (Fischer, Fischer, Yoko, Rudy Project, Yoko) 12/31/1982 * **
Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT; Craftsbury Green Racing Project) (Madshus, Madshus, Swix, Rudy Project, Toko) 1/25/1988 * **
Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT; Burke Mountain Academy) (Rossignol, Rossignol, Exel, Rudy Project, Toko) 1/12/1987 * **
B Team
Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA; Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center) (Rossignol, Rossignol, Swix, Oakley, Toko) 7/14/1991 * **
Rosie Brennan (Park City, UT; Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center) (Rossignol, Rossignol, Exel, Rudy Project, Toko) 12/2/1988 **
Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO; Ski and Snowboard Club Vail) (Madshus, Madshus, Madshus, Julbo, Toko) 8/1/1989 * **
D Team
Patrick Caldwell (Lyme, NH; SMS Elite Team) (Fischer, Fischer, Swix, Rudy Project, Swix) 2/18/1994
Hannah Halvorsen (Truckee, CA; Sugar Bowl Academy) 2/19/1998
Julia Kern (Waltham, MA; SMS Elite Team) (Fischer, Alpina, One Way, Rudy Project, Toko) 9/12/1997
Katharine Ogden (Landgrove, VT; Stratton Mountain School) (Fischer, Fischer, Swix, Toko) 11/17/1997
Ian Torchia (Rochester, MN; Northern Michigan University) (Fischer, Fischer, Start, Oakley, Toko) 3/8/1996
2016 U.S. CROSS COUNTRY SKI TEAM STAFF
Coaching Staff
Chris Grover, Head Coach
Matt Whitcomb, Women's Coach
Jason Cork, World Cup Coach
Bryan Fish, Development Coach
World Cup Service Team
Oleg Ragilo, Head of Service
Jean-Pascal Laurin, World Cup Service
Marek Sander, World Cup Service
Tim Baucom, World Cup Service
Andrew Morehouse, World Cup Service
U.S. CROSS COUNTRY SKI TEAM SPONSORS AND SUPPLIERS
Official Cross Country Suppliers
- Uniforms
L.L.Bean
CRAFT
Ski Equipment and Soft Goods
2XU
Alpina
Atomic
Big Truck Brand
Bolle
Briko
Buff, Inc.
Exel Poles
Fischer
Huge
Johaug Gloves
Julbo
Khombu
Madshus
Neve
Oakley
OneWay
Rossignol
Rudy Project
Salomon
SmartWool
Soul Poles
Swix
Toko
Vertical Brands
Yoko
Wax, Tools and Training Devices
Boulder Nordic
BOSU Fitness
Dermatone
Dominator
DryGuy
EPS-Doublet
Extended Exposure
Holmenkol
HWK Ski Wax
Identity Plus
Insight Replay
Lasting Impressions
Liftopia
Little Hotties
Reliable Racing
Rollerblade
Skier’s Edge
Slingshot Sports
Start Wax
Sun Valley Ski Tools
Swix
Team Fan Shop
Toko
Thule
TriggerPoint
Vauhti Wax
Vertical Brands
WinCraft
World Cup Supply
Yaktrax
Uniform Logo Sponsors
Audi
CRAFT
GoPro
High Sierra
L.L.Bean
Putnam Investments
USANA
Visa
WORLD CUP LIVE STREAMING
Most of the FIS Cross Country World Cup tour will be live streamed on NBCsports.com.
