PARK CITY, Utah (Oct. 10, 2023) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard formally announces the 23 athletes representing the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2023-24 season. All athletes nominated to the team in May were selected based on predetermined selection criteria and have formally accepted their nominations to the national team. 

The roster is complete with longtime veterans and promising newcomers ready to compete on the sport's biggest stage come November. Returning athletes include three-time Olympic medalist and 2023 world champion Jessie Diggins, 2022-23 FIS Rookie of the Year Ben Ogden and two-time Olympian Rosie Brennan. The roster also includes new talent with five athletes being called up to the national team for the first time. 

The season will take athletes around the world once again but is highlighted with a World Cup in Minneapolis, Minnesota over Presidents Day weekend, bringing the best cross country skiers stateside for the first time in more than 23 years. The 2024 Loppet Cup presented by Stifel will include two days of elite racing, including a 10k and sprint, allowing American athletes to race a World Cup in their home country for the first time in their careers, and American fans an opportunity to see the action in person. 

“The U.S. team is hungry to begin the 2023-24 season after a very productive preparation period with excellent training opportunities at Mt. Bachelor in Oregon, the Torsby ski tunnel in Sweden and the Snow Farm in New Zealand, among other locations,” said Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Program Director Chris Grover. “Training progress has been evident in the many outstanding performances by our athletes in major rollerski and running competitions around the globe. Although the entire season will be exciting to watch, some highlights from the team will include the Tour de Ski, which will include non-traditional longer events in both Toblach and Davos, and of course our home World Cup at Wirth Park in Minneapolis.”

The 2023-24 World Cup season kicks off with period one in Ruka, Finland Nov. 24-26, with three races: classic sprint, 10k classic and 20k skate race. The final FIS World Cup schedule can be found here. An in-depth ‘How to Watch’ announcement will be released shortly through the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website and social media channels.

Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team 

(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate)

A TEAM

Women

• Rosie Brennan (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; Dartmouth College; 12/2/1988)
• Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN; SMS T2 Team; 8/26/1991)
• Julia Kern (Waltham, MA; SMS T2 Team; Dartmouth College; 9/12/1997)

Men

• Ben Ogden (Burlington, VT; SMS T2 Team; University of Vermont; 2/13/2000)
• James "JC" Schoonmaker (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska; 8/12/2000)

B TEAM

Women

• Sophia Laukli (Yarmouth, ME; Aker-Dæhlie; University of Utah; 6/08/2000)
• Novie McCabe (Winthrop, WA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Utah; 12/15/2001)
• Sydney Palmer-Leger (Park City, UT; SMS T2 Team; University of Utah; 2/04/2002)

Men

• John Steel Hagenbuch (Ketchum, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Dartmouth College; 10/01/2001)
• Luke Jager (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Utah; 1/17/2000)
• Zak Ketterson (Minneapolis, MN; Team Birkie; Northern Michigan University; 4/02/1997)
• Zanden McMullen (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/31/2001)
• Scott Patterson (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Vermont; 1/28/1992)
• Gus Schumacher (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/25/2000)

D TEAM

Women

• Haley Brewster (Avon, CO; University of Vermont; 6/06/2003)
• Sammy Smith (Boise, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 9/22/2005)
• Ava Thurston (Waterbury, VT; Mansfield Nordic Club; Dartmouth College; 1/06/2004)

Men

• Brian Bushey (Montpelier, VT; University of Utah Ski Team; University of Utah; 11/06/2002)
• Michael Earnhart (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 8/11/2002)
• Walker Hall (Winthrop, WA; Methow Valley Nordic Team; University of Utah; 6/11/2002)
• Max Kluck (Butte, MT; Bridger Sports Foundation; University of Utah; 9/25/2004)
• Will Koch (Peru, VT; SMS T2 Team; University of Colorado Boulder; 2/21/2002)
• Derek Richardson (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/21/2004)

Cross Country Coaches and Staff

• Cross Country Program Director: Chris Grover
• Cross Country Development Director: Bryan Fish
• Head Coach: Matt Whitcomb                    
• World Cup Coach: Jason Cork
• Development Coach: Greta Anderson                                     
• D Team World Cup Coach: Kristen Bourne                                                                                                 
• Cross Country Sport Coordinator: Adam St. Pierre              
• Cross Country Press Officer: Leann Bentley

Service Staff

• Head of Service: Oleg Ragilo           
• World Cup Service: Bjørn Heimdal               
• World Cup Service: Eli Brown    
• World Cup Service: Chris Hecker
• World Cup Service: Karel Kruuser
• World Cup Service: Paul Choudoir 

Follow the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Team:
Instagram: @usskiteam
Facebook: @usskiandsnowboard
TikTok: @usskiandsnowboard
X/Twitter: @usskiteam
Threads: @usskiteam

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Leann Bentley
Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Press Officer
Leann.bentley@usskiandsnowboard.org

(OCT 6, 2023 – PARK CITY, UT) The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation is set to host the annual Schutzenski Festival Oct. 12-15, 2023 at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, home of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Unique to this year, nearly the entire Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team roster is slated to compete in the sprint and distance rollerski races, including three-time Olympic medalist Jessie Diggins, 2023 FIS Rookie of the Year Ben Ogden and 2023 World Championship medalist Julia Kern.

Over the weekend, the festival will attract all levels of biathlon and cross country ski athletes for an entire weekend of racing, community building, sponsor activations and the opportunity to watch some of the world's best athletes compete before they begin the 2023-24 season. 

“Schutzenski is our way to share our excitement for the forthcoming winter with our community,” said Luke Bodensteiner, Solider Hollow general manager and chief of sport development. “We show off the best of ski racing and biathlon with trailside access to watch elite racing throughout the day, hear from pro athletes and their suppliers about the latest equipment available for the ski season, take part in open running and rollerski races, socialize with world champions and weekend warriors, and enjoy the beauty of Soldier Hollow as we glide into another season of world-class skiing and programs for all ages and interests.”

Outside of racing, the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team athletes will be trailside for a meet and greet and autograph session on Saturday, Oct. 14 before they head off to Europe for another exciting season of World Cup racing. 

More information on the Schutzenski Festival can be found here, along with the full schedule of events. 

Cross Country Event Schedule 

*Schedule subject to change

Saturday, Oct. 14

• 10:45 a.m. // 10k classic, individual start, elite men
• 11:30 a.m. // 10k classic, individual start, elite women 
• 12:45 - 1:15 p.m. // elite awards 
• 1:15 - 1:30 p.m. // meet and greet

Sunday, Oct. 15 

• 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. // skate sprint qualifiers, men/women
• 9:45 - 11:45 a.m. // sprint rounds, men/women
• 12:15 - 12:45 p.m. // elite awards, men/women

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Leann Bentley
U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Communications Manager; Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Press Officer
leann.bentley@usskiandsnowboard.org

Brennan Smith
Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation (UOLF)
UOLF Marketing Manager
Bsmith@uolf.org


 

On Sunday, September 16, Olympic champion Jessie Diggins disclosed that she recently struggled with her eating disorder after 12 years of being in recovery.  

“I’ve learned that sometimes the hard conversations we have can have the most transformative power,” Jessie wrote in a personal statement. “So although this isn’t easy for me, I have something I’d like to share with all of you. This summer, after 12 years of being in a great place of health, I’ve been struggling with my eating disorder.”

She spoke openly and honestly on her personal Instagram about how she is working daily with her team and focusing on putting herself, and her health, first. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard and PEOPLE magazine worked together to help Jessie share her story. 

“Right now, I ask for your respect and trust that I’m putting my well-being first and foremost because my team and I all agree that a healthy and happy life is the primary objective.” 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard supports Jessie and anyone who may be struggling with their mental health. As she outlines in her statement, “To anyone out there struggling with mental health right now - I know that it can feel scary and hard to reach out for help, but it’s the best thing you can ever do.” 

Our mission at U.S. Ski & Snowboard is to empower athletes to achieve excellence, including providing the resources and tools necessary to ensure mental well-being. Mental health resources are available 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Ted Ligety and Ruff Patterson were inducted into the Intermountain Hall of Fame on August 24, 2023 in Park City, Utah.

Ligety is a two-time Olympic Winter Games gold medalist, surprising the world when he won gold in Torino in 2006 and reinstating his dominance in 2014 in Sochi. He is also a seven-time World Championship medalist (including five golds), has six World Cup Crystal Globes and 52 World Cup podiums. Known as Mr. GS, he dominated giant slalom races on the World Cup circuit, with nearly 80% of his podiums coming from the discipline. Ligety retired from the U.S. Ski Team in 2021 when he was 36 years old.

Accepting his award with tears in his eyes, Ligety thanked his parents, wife and three boys for supporting him through his career, as well as his coaches and teammates sitting in the crowd, including Steven Nyman and Chip Knight. Hailing from Park City and still living in the town today, it was a special moment for Ligety to have the Hall of Fame in his backyard welcome him with open arms.

Also inducted into the Hall of Fame was Ruff Patterson, a cross country skier from Sun Valley, Idaho, who now lives in Park City. He won the NCAA championships with the University of Colorado, before coaching for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation cross country team and then the U.S. Ski Team for 10 years, working primarily with the women and attending the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. He also helped to steward skate skiing into the World Cup before taking over as the head coach for the Dartmouth Ski Team for 27 years.

Ligety and Patterson joined ski coach Butch Hoffman in the 2023 class of the Intermountain Hall of Fame. 

Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team athlete and professional trail runner Sophia Laukli secured another historic victory at the 50th edition of the Sierre-Zinal trail race, becoming only the fourth American to win the race and the first since 2014. She now leads the Golden Trail World Series overall rankings. 

Battling through rugged terrains and challenging elevations in the picturesque Swiss landscape, Laukli showcased her dominance in the strong field by crossing the finish line four minutes ahead of the second-place finisher and eight minutes ahead of third place. Laukli now leads the Golden Trail Series leaderboard. Only four Americans had won the mountain race before Laukli, dating back to its inception in 1974. 

“I’m really still quite shocked by the result, but it feels so good,” said Laukli. “I’m definitely very proud of this result because I think it totally exceeded my expectations - along with everyone else’s - which is always pretty fun… for it to be a surprise.”

Laukli, a 2022 Winter Olympian and a regular on the FIS World Cup, has been training in Oslo, Norway, this summer while also competing regularly on the Golden Trail World Series. Compared to skiing, Laukli has not been a competitive trail runner long, but now, she is making an impact in every race she enters. After a breakthrough 2022 running season where she placed fifth in the overall standings, she burst onto the scene in the 2023 season by winning the first race - the prestigious Marathon du Mont-Blanc, where she beat her competitors by another significant margin of 12 minutes. Just weeks later, she was back on the podium in second place at the DoloMyths Run in the Italian Dolomites.

As her familiarity with international trail racing grows, Laukli is cementing herself as the one to beat. For now though, Laukli has her sights set on the next race, the Mammoth 26k back in her home country, and will continue her training for the other sport she is a professional athlete in - cross country skiing.

As she traveled from Switzerland back home to Oslo, Norway, to gear up for a Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team national team camp, Laukli sat down to answer a few questions about how all of this feels, how skiing has contributed to her overall trail running success, and what’s next.

How are you feeling after your win in Switzerland? 

I’m really quite shocked. But, beyond the result and winning the race, I’m also just excited about how I executed the race. I didn’t have a huge tactical plan, but it seemed I came up with some tactics on the way and they worked out just right.

How do you feel like your cross country ski training is playing into your running right now? Or vice versa? 

I’m honestly quite surprised at how well my ski training has prepared me for these races. This summer, I’ve actually been doing a bit less running and more roller skiing instead. So, naturally, I’ve been a bit hesitant or worried coming into each of these races because I’m so unsure of my running shape. But obviously, it seems to be working great. I think the main reason is that I’ve been able to train at a much higher volume with all the roller skiing (less impact/toll on the body compared to running), which has really built up my endurance even more to excel in these running races. I also think that having so much training outside of running helps the body be much more rested and recovered for the races.

You’re first in the standings of the Golden Trail World Series and the first American since 2014 to win this race. What’s your mindset right now? 

It is definitely looking very good for the overall position in the series, but I don’t want to get too confident now because a lot can still happen. I am obviously hoping to win the overall in the end, so I will have to pick and choose a bit for the next few races to make sure I can peak for the finals in October and hopefully secure the overall win then. Also, knowing that there are not often Americans winning the overall, it really adds some extra motivation. Even in the individual races, it’s fun to put the U.S. more on the map, especially with some of the other U.S. women making it into the top.

What’s your stoke level right now? 

In general, I know it’s good to move on from races, whether they’re good or bad, but the stoke from this one is something I am going to hold onto for a while. I have had some great races before, but I do think this is one of my best performances both in skiing and running combined, so it’s safe to say that my stoke level is incredibly high. It’s easy to be excited about a result when it’s a win, but I am just extra proud of this race because of how I paced and approached the race from start to finish. It was the first time I felt that I had actually grown as a runner and put into practice what I have learned over the past couple of years. In other words, it was the first time I didn’t feel like a newbie in trail running.