February 21, 2012 – The U.S. Cross Country Ski Team named its 2012 FIS Junior World Championship & World Under 23 Championship Teams to compete Feb. 19-26 in Erzurum, Turkey. The National Nordic Foundation has pledged $38,000 in support of this team. The athletes were selected based on results at the 2012 U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Rumford, ME Jan. 2-8.

The World Junior U23 Ski Championship is where the nation’s top junior athletes first see how they stack up against the very best juniors in the World. The results at these annual World Championship are often a precursor to the (Senior) Nordic World Championships 2-4 years later. For U.S. athletes the Junior and U23 World Championships are the foundation and stepping stone for a successful future.

As NNF director Dave Knoop explains, “The NNF exists to help tomorrow’s stars today. We are pleased to be able to invest $38,000 in the World Junior/U23 World Championship trip. Representing the country at this level is a privilege deserved by an athlete through years of focused dedication. The expenses involved in traveling to and contesting any World Championship event are large. We feel that athletes who have earned the right to don a suit with the U.S. emblazoned on it should not bear these costs alone.

As the National Nordic Foundation, we are pleased to be able to make this strategic investment to subsidize the World Junior/U23 World Championship trip on behalf of over one thousand individuals and who have pledged their support. Now the skiers feel they have 2000 hands pushing them up each hill.”

2012 U.S. Junior World Championship Team

Men
– Logan Hanneman – (UAF) University of AK-Fairbanks
– Mike Vigers – (SSCV) Ski and Snowboard Club of Vail
– Cole Morgan – (SVSEF) Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation
– Scott Patterson – (UVM) – University of Vermont
– Will Wicherski – Williams College
– Forrest Mahlen – (APU) Alaska Pacific University

Women
– Corey Stock – (CSU) Cambridge Sports Union
– Emily Hannah – (SSWSC) Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
– Stephanie Kirk – (AWS) Alaska Winter Stars
– Mary O’Connell – SSWSC

2012 U.S. Under 23 World Championship Team

Men
– Noah Hoffman – USST/SSCV
– Erik Bjornsen – USST/ APU
– Eric Packer – Dartmouth College
– Ryan Scott – SSCV/ (MSU) Montana State University
– Reese Hanneman – APU

Women
– Jessie Diggins- USST/ (CXC) Central Cross Country Ski Association
– Sadie Bjornsen – USST/ APU
– Becca Rorabaugh – APU

The U.S. Ski Team’s Development Coach, Bryan Fish, states, “The team is a blend season veterans and fresh faces. The squad is led by U23 and USST members Jessie Diggins and Noah Hoffman. Jessie is coming off a US National Championships where she earned the US Championship in every event. Noah was very impressive in the 30 kilometer classic at US Cross Country Championships winning by 53.6 second. Both of these athletes have podium potential. A pre-camp will be held in Madona, Latvia and Albu, Estonia where there will be 4 Scandinavian Cup races in 5 days. This head-to-head international experience will allow them to work into a rhythm and build confidence before toeing the line in Erzurum. The National Nordic Foundation has really stepped up to support our international development events such as Jr. Worlds and U23 World Ski Championships as well as the Scandinavian Cup pre-camp. Their support is invaluable to the advancement of our young developing athletes.”

Support Tomorrow’s Stars Today
This NNF contribution is part of NNF’s record $83,000 investment in Cross-Country Pillar Projects for 2011/2012. The NNF exists to help America’s young, dedicated, and driven Nordic talent realize their, and America’s, long term potential in sport and in life. The biggest hurdle facing American Nordic racers is gaining consistent access to international quality coaching, training, and racing experiences from ages 15 through 25. Providing future generations of U.S. Nordic athletes earned access to a progression of high-quality international competitions, their life enriching lessons, represents this nation’s greatest Nordic development opportunity and funding need. The National Nordic Foundation and its Pillar Projects exist to fulfill this need. Please donate to the National Nordic Foundation and support tomorrow’s stars today as their quest for athletic accomplishment on the trails prepares them to achieve their potential in life while inspiring others to do the same. Please Donate $25 or $2500 HERE now!