Last week approximately 100 Eastern skiers competed at the LL Bean US National XC Ski Championships in Soldier Hollow, Utah. There were many amazing results from Eastern skiers — but perhaps what stuck out most was the open collaboration between clubs throughout the region. In these uncertain and changing times (Covid and phasing out fluoros on a National scale), it is inspiring and reassuring to see how we have evolved to deal with challenges and how we can conduct safe events.
There are some great race recaps from Fasterskier and you can watch full event livestreams thanks to the National Nordic Foundation.
The races at Soldier Hollow served as qualification for a number of events including the Olympics, U18 Nordic Nations Cup and Junior World/U23 Cross Country Championships. Full qualifications for U18, JWSC and U23 can be found HERE. The top-20 juniors from the first three events also prequalified for Junior Nationals — which will be held this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the week of March 6-12. Eastern Clubs and Teams qualified a potential of 17 athletes via this criteria. College coaches are encouraged to reach out to NENSA’s Competitive Program Director [email protected] with potential intents for JN’s.
Junior World Ski Championship Skiers:
Brian Bushey – University of Utah (GMVS)
Finn Sweet – University of Vermont
Will Koch – University of Colorado (SMS/SMS T2)
Kate Oldham – Middlebury College
Nina Seemann – Dartmouth College
Annie McColgan – University of Vermont
U23 World Championship Skiers:
Ben Ogden – University of Vermont / SMS T2
Lucinda Anderson – University of New Hampshire
U18 Nations Cup Skiers:
Jack Lange – Stratton Mountain School
Finegan Bailey – Stratton Mountain School
Ava Thurston – Mansfield Ski Club
Sofia Scirica – Eastern Mass XC
We are also really excited to announce a rockstar cast for our Junior National staff for 2022. Please note the entire team (athletes and staff) will be fully vaccinated and boosted.
Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches and teams behind the scene that led to the successes in Utah. It’s clear our community is stoked to be part of a growing #nordicnation.