January 07, 2011 (Rumford, ME) – NCCSEF, USSA and its ten JO divisions, are pleased to announce the 2011 J1 Scandinavian Cup Team.  This “Scando Cup” trip is one of the premier steps of the elite junior athlete and coach development pipeline in the U.S.  The Scando Cup is most often the first exposure to international level racing and racing travel for U.S. athletes.  Traveling to Scandinavia and putting on a race bib is an eye opening experience. Most athletes come back with a new appreciation to the dedication and focus needed to succeed internationally. Coaches attending the trip also gain valuable experience in the trials and tribulations of international racing and coaching as well.

Women
– Annie Liotta (AWS)
– Marion Woods (AWS)
– Cambria McDermott  (STRATTON)
– Stella Holt  (Glacier Nordic)
– Sharmila Ahmed (GO Training)
– Hannah Boyer  (FXC-NCSF)
– Heather Mooney (STRATTON)  [will race JWC instead]

Men
– Forrest Mahlen    APUNSC
– Logan Hanneman    (FAST)
– Patrick Caldwell    (STRATTON)
– Dylan McGarthwaite (MSC)
– Peter Namrol    (AWS)
– John Hegman    (MANSFIELD)

Training Camp: Athletes will depart the U.S. on January 26, 2011. The athletes will travel to Ostersund, Sweden where they will meet up with Head Scando Team Coach Matt Johnson.  Between Jan 27th and Feb 1st the team will be staying at Camp Sodergren in Ostersund, training on the trails adjacent to the lodging.

Race Week: On February 1st, team will drive to Ornskoldsvik, Sweden where they will be staying and racing for the next week.

Coaching Staff:
– Matthew Johnson, Head Coach – Burke Mountain Academy
– Peter Leonard, Coach/Lead Wax Tech – FXC
– Kate Barton, Coach – Jackson Hole High School Ski Team

This trip receives $11,000 in subsidized support from a partnership between the NCCSEF and each of the 10 USSA Junior Olympic divisions. This support fully funds the volunteer coaches’ expenses while offsetting other overall trip expenses. Each athlete is responsible for $1450.00 in trip expenses.

We wish these Scandinavian Cup Team athletes and coaches successes as these Team Tomorrow athletes chase their dreams!