November 23, 2016 (Park City, Utah) – 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.

“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,” said Chris Grover, Head Coach. “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.”

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.

“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,” commented Robert Lazzaroni, Nordic Domestic Program Director. “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!

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

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.