U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Named

Tue, Oct  22, 2013 - By USSA

PARK CITY, UT (Oct. 21) – World Champions Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) and Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) highlight a team of 11 athletes named to the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2013-14 season. The team was announced at the conclusion of a final two-week training camp at the USSA Center of Excellence in Park City and the newly-repaved roller ski track on the Olympic trails at nearby Soldier Hollow. The season opens Nov. 29 in Kuusamo, Finland. The 2014 Sochi Olympic Team will be selected primarily from World Cup events this season and will be named in late January.

World Champions Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins highlight a team of 11 athletes named to the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for the 2013-14 season. (Photo: Sarah Brunson/U.S. Ski Team)

HIGHLIGHTS

• World Champions Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) and Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN) lead 11 athletes named to the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Ski Team.
• Diggins and Randall teamed up to win the World Championship team sprint. Randall won her second straight FIS Cross Country World Cup sprint title and was third overall – both first for a U.S. woman.
Also returning to the A Team are veteran sprinter Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT), fifth in World Cup sprint standings last year, and Liz Stephen (Montpelier, VT), who was top five in last year’s World Championships.
• Moving up to the A Team are Holly Brooks (Anchorage) and Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT). Both had strong World Cup performances last season.
• The team capped its pre-season dryland training with a camp at the USSA Center of Excellence and roller ski trails at Soldier Hollow.
• The USSA partnered with Soldier Hollow to re-pave the roller ski trails this summer.
• The season kicks off Nov. 29 in Kuusamo, Finland.
• The U.S. Cross Country Ski Team will send another squad to the Tour de Ski stage race, Dec. 28-Jan. 5 at sites across Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
• The 2014 Olympic Team for Sochi will be selected primarily from World Cup results this season and will be named in late January.

QUOTES

Kikkan Randall, World Cup sprint champion
The U.S. Cross Country Ski Team has never seen so much momentum! This has been an incredibly productive summer of training, the whole team is looking fit and healthy, and we can't wait to kick off the 2014 season in a few weeks.

The confidence and success of this team has been building over the past few seasons. We've reached a new level of team cohesion and together with the incredible support of our team at the USSA. We feel prepared and excited for the opportunities ahead. We Believe in U.S.! Do you?

Chris Grover, Head Coach
The 2013-14 U.S Cross Country Ski Team will be the strongest team that the USA has fielded in 30 plus years. Led by World Champion and two-time overall sprint champion Kikkan Randall, this team is redefining the limits of success in U.S. cross country skiing. Although the team will be focused on peak performances in Sochi, we expect to be fighting for podiums each and every weekend throughout the World Cup season.

2014 U.S. Cross Country Ski Team Roster
Name, Hometown, Club (Skis, Boots, Bindings, Poles, Eyewear) Date of Birth
* Denotes Olympian
** Pursuing degree in Westminster College partnership program

A Team

• Holly Brooks, Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center (Salomon, Salomon, Salomon, Swix, Rudy Project) 4/17/82 *
• Jessie Diggins, Afton, MN, Stratton T2 (Salomon, Salomon, Salomon, One Way, Rudy Project) 8/26/1991
• Andy Newell, Shaftsbury, VT, Stratton T2 (Fischer, Salomon, Salomon, Swix, Rudy Project) 11/30/1983 *
• Kikkan Randall, Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center (Fischer, Salomon, Salomon, Swix, Rudy Project) 12/31/1982 *
• Ida Sargent, Orleans, VT, Craftsbury Green Team (Fischer, Alpine, Rotefella, Swix, Rudy Project) 1/25/1988
• Liz Stephen, East Montpelier, VT, Burke Mountain Academy (Rossignol, Rossignol, Rossignol, One Way, Rudy Project) 1/12/1987 * **

B Team

• Sadie Bjornsen, Winthrop, WA, Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center (Fischer, Salomon, Salomon, Swix, Rudy Project) 11/21/1989
• Erik Bjornsen, Winthrop, WA, Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center (Fischer, Fischer, Fischer, Swix, Rudy Project) 7/14/1991
• Sophie Caldwell, Peru, VT, Stratton T2 (Fischer, Salomon, Salomon, Swix, Rudy Project) 3/22/90
• Simi Hamilton, Aspen, CO, Stratton T2 (Fischer, Alpina, Rotefella, Swix, Rudy Project) 5/14/1987 *
• Noah Hoffman, Aspen, CO, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail (Madshus, Madshus, Rotefella, Madshus, Oakley) 8/1/1989 **

Coaching Staff
Chris Grover, Head Coach, Head Men’s Coach
Matt Whitcomb, Head Women’s Coach
Jason Cork, Assistant Coach
Bryan Fish, Development Coach

World Cup Service Team
Peter Johansson, Head of Service
Randy Gibbs, Head of Glide
Oleg Ragilo, Head of Kick
Cory Wubbels, World Cup Service

Official Cross Country Suppliers
Uniforms
Bjørn Dæhlie (BJ Sports)

Equipment
Alpina
Atomic
Bolle
Briko
Fischer
Madshus
Oakley
One Way
POC
Rossignol
Rudy Project
Salomon
Swix

Wax, Tools and Training Devices
Bosu
Dominator
Holmenkol
Kenwood Radios
Sun Valley Ski Tools
Swix
Toko
Tools4boards
Wintersteiger
World Cup Supply

Uniform Logo Sponsors
Audi
BJ Sports
Charles Schwab
High Sierra
Nature Valley
Putnam
Sprint
Visa