April 01, 2012 (Canmore, AB) – SkiTrax has learned that Cross Country Canada and USSA are in formal discussions to merge and create a North American Ski Association that intends to be powerhouse on the international playing field and rival Norway and Sweden. Apparently officials at FIS are not against the idea.

“We’ve been talking about this for some time,” confided Canadian Head Coach Justin Wadsworth. “Things accelerated when our respective women’s teams met for the North American Alliance Camp last year.

“After this year’s great season by both squads we realized that a North American Ski Association is the way to go. Our conjunctive team ranking will move us up several spots and we’re stoked to try and move into the top three next year.”

We caught up with Wadsworth’s counterpart in the US, Chris Grover, while on holidays in Moab. “The athletes love the idea. Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins are 1/2 Canadian anyway,” he quipped.

“With all of the events on both sides of the border as well, this will streamline lots of logistics and create even more opportunities down the road. We’re excited and hope FIS can fast-track it.”

Officials from FIS were unavailable for comment but pundits wondered what’s to stop Norway, Sweden and Finland from merging to create a Scandi Association.

We hear other sports are considering the idea as well so the international playing field could be very different in a few years – stay tuned for more updates on this breaking story.

Happy April Fools