Well, that was one epic race for the books. Hardest conditions I've had in years, soft snow, falling snow then ice pellets then fog so thick I could see nothing...
After three races, the Cross Country Ski Headquarters has a big lead in the competition, with 184 points. Last year's Brumbaugh Cup winner, Team NordicSkiRacer, is far behind in second place with 389 points.
UPDATED: Toko and now Rex wax recommendations for the this weekend's Michigan Cup race!
Former Michigan Cup racer Sarah Goble has made the U23 (under 23) World Championship Team and will represent the United States at the U23 Cross-Country World Ski Championships on February 28 - March 8 in Oberwiesenthal, Germany.
It was wet, it was wild, and it was just an event. It was epic. It was a little slow out there. There was three inches of standing water in a lot of places. It kind of slowed down the race but we finished. It was good. It was amazing we held it.
This weekend's races are competing for the most challenging weather award! Huron Meadows expects to have a skiable trail regardless of the weather.
The competition begins today, Thursday (Jan. 2) with the Freestyle Sprint. This marks the fifth time Michigan Tech has hosted a U.S. Cross Country Skiing Championships event.
Mariah Frye Colie and Alex Vanias lead the senior standings with two wins each. Branden Morley and Clara Bennet lead the junior standings.
Well, what difference 24 hours and a change of venue makes! Warm temperatures and tricky trails at Saturday's Lakes of the North Freestyle gave way to a colder race (19F), a little new snow, and smooth as silk grooming for the Forbush Corner Freestyle.
UPDATED! Pity those racers with soft skis or poor balance at Saturday's Lakes of the North Freestyle! There was plenty of snow, and the trail was groomed so three skiers could skate side-by-side much of the 7.2km trail, but the snow surface surface...
So far, only Toko has posted any recommendations, and the Swix recommendation site is gone! I'll update if other recommendations are released!
Russia has been banned from the Olympics and other competitions for 4 years because of drug testing data manipulations.
White Pine Stampede
Mancelona High School, 9300 W Limits Rd; Mancelona MI 49659
Pre-Birkie 26K and 42K
Hayward, Wisconson
Valley Spur Classic 5/10k
Valley Spur, E8017 State Highway M-94, Munising, MI
Barnelopet
Maasto Hiihto, Hancock
2026 Winter Olympics - Women's 10 + 10 km Skiathlon
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Forbush Memorial Classic Race
Forbush Corner, 4971 W County Road 612, Frederic, MI 49733 (989-889-2843)
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's 10 + 10 km Skiathlon
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's/Women's Sprint qual.+ final
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
2026 Winter Olympics - 10 km freestyle women
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
2026 Winter Olympics - 10 km freestyle men
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
50th Annual North American Vasa Freestyle
Timber Ridge Resort, 4050 E. Hammond Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
Loppet Junior Qualifier & SuperTour (JNQ) - Classic Mass Start
Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN
2026 Winter Olympics - Women's 4x7.5 km Relay
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Loppet Junior Qualifier & SuperTour (JNQ) - Freestyle Individual Star
Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN
50th Annual North American Vasa Classic
Timber Ridge Resort, 4050 E. Hammond Road, Traverse City, MI 49686
2026 Winter Olympics - Men's 4x7.5 km Relay
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet & Prince Haakon Open Track
Hayward, WI
2026 Winter Olympics - Team Sprint Women's/Men's Qual.+ Final
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
Kortelopet 29K Race
Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center, 12205 County Hwy-B W, Hayward, WI 54843 (OO Trailhead)
Prince Haakon 15K
Phipps Road, north of Hayward, WI
American Birkebeiner 53k Classic Race / 50k Skate Race
Cable to Hayward, WI
2026 Winter Olympics - 50 km classic style women
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy
2026 Winter Olympics - 50 km classic style men
Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, Italy