NewNoquemanon Results

January 24, 2026

Consumed by a subzero-spell that saw yesterday's Junior Noque and adaptive events canceled, the Noquemanon Ski Marathon toughed it out on Saturday with over 800 skiers showing up despite the cold weather conditions. Winners in the long races were Xavier Mansfield and Chelsey Youngberg for the 50K classic, and Mitchell Campbell and Hanna Torvi for the 50K freestyle. At half the distance, James Kyes and Lori Seele were the first to finish in the 24K classic, while Trygve Rux and Amaeli Kam-Magruder took the top spots for the 24K freestyle. Last but not least, in the quarter-distance 12K events Joseph Peng and Allie Pietil had the fastest times in the classic race, with Caden Laurn and Kathryn Clark doing likewise for the freestyle race.

NewWorld Cup Goms: Classic Sprints; Second Place for Schumacher

January 24, 2026

The good times kept on rolling for the US Ski Team in Goms, Switzerland with another great result in Saturday's classic sprints. Making it two podiums in just as many days, Gus Schumacher skied an incredibly smart race to place second, the only skier finishing ahead of him being the one and only Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway. Edvin Anger of Sweden took third, while Ben Ogden and JC Schoonmaker finished 6th and 10th respectively, making it three in the top-10 for the Americans. An equally impressive showing by the women's team, three made the heats with Jessie Diggins making it the furthest, finishing 7th in the semifinals. Linn Svahn won out in the women's final, surviving a sprint finish with Germany's Laura Gimmler and Switzerland's Nadine Faehndrich. One more World Cup race remains before we head into the Olympics which will be a mass-start classic race, taking place tomorrow.

NewWorld Cup Goms: Team Sprints; History Made for US Men's Team

January 23, 2026

Only the second team sprint of the season and the last time to test the event before the Olympics, Friday was an exciting preview of what to expect at the Winter Games in two weeks' time. Starting things off in Goms, Switzerland was the women's final which went down to the wire with the German duo Laura Gimmler and Coletta Rydzek taking the top prize ahead of two Norwegian teams. Only a handful of seconds behind, the US team of Samantha Smith and Julia Kern would finish just off the podium in 5th. The men's final was also a race of fine margins, with the Norwegian team of Harald Oestberg Amundsen and Einar Hedegart just getting the gap on their two closest competitors, Italy and the US. Gus Schumacher, paired with Ben Ogden, wouldn't quite have the legs left to out sprint Italy's Federico Pellegrino, but would still cross the line in third, a first ever World Cup podium for the US men in the event. Tomorrow the excitement continues with classic sprints scheduled.

US Ski Team: Cross-Country Team Announced for Olympic Winter Games

January 22, 2026

Following final considerations over the weekend, U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced on Thursday the 16 athletes that will be representing the United States of America at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy. Eight women and eight men were nominated, with two Midwesterners in total making the cut: Jessie Diggins and Zak Ketterson. The cross-country competitions kick off in two weeks' time on Feb 7th.

Weekend Racing

January 21, 2026

A very cold weekend on tap, but some races are still on...
Jan 24 Noquemanon - One of the big marathons with plenty of snow this season.
Jan 25 Marine O'Brien - One or two laps around the trails at William O'Brien.
Jan 25 Rademacher Rush - Cancelled A rare chance to race on the trails at St. Mary's in Winona.
There is also a JNQ at Ariens Nordic Center.  Check our Racing Outlook for the latest updates we've received.

Across the Pond: Skinnyski Overseas, Part 2

January 21, 2026

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World Cup Racing: Goms Schedule

January 20, 2026

A final stop before the Olympic Winter Games, the World Cup circuit returns to Switzerland for three days of racing in Goms this weekend. Friday is the second team sprint of the season, taking place at 5:30 AM CST and 7:30 AM CST for the qualifiers and finals individually. Saturday then sets the stage for more sprinting, switching to the classic technique and sticking to a similar schedule with the qualifiers at 3:00 AM CST and heats at 5:30 AM CST. Finally, Sunday showcases the final competition of Period III, a mass-start 20K classic race that starts with the women's field out first at 4:15 AM CST, and finishes with the men's field on course at 7:15 AM CST.

Racing Outlook

January 19, 2026

The cold weather is creeping in but cancellations have been kept to a minimum so far aside from the Junior Noque on Friday. After two years off, the Marine O'Brien Ski Race is on again with chilly conditions calling for a start time delay, and the same for the Noquemanon Ski Marathon. Meanwhile, the Rademacher Rush is giving it an extra day to try for higher temps, and the Lumberjack Jaunt is being pushed back a week to also allow for warmer weather. Additionally, the Founders Classic is being moved two weeks to Feb 14th. In Wisconsin the Billion JNQ/CCSA competition is flipping race days with later starts and a condensed schedule to accommodate for the weather, and the Birkie Tour slips to Sunday, hoping for warmer temps. Event updates will continue to be posted as soon as they come in.

MNOC: Minnesota Ski-Orienteering Events; US Team Seeks Upper Midwest Talent

January 18, 2026

Ski-Orienteering, blending Nordic skiing and navigation, offers two Minnesota events in 2026. Partnering with Loppet Winter Festival, MNOC hosts an event at Theodore Wirth Park on Jan 31, and with DXC, in Duluth at Spirit Mountain on Feb 28. The US Ski-O Team seeks athletes and coaches, offering a virtual info session (CST) on Jan 18 to promote the sport and identify talent, potentially taking local Minnesota skiers to national and international competitions.

Coleraine JNQ Freestyle Individual Start Results

January 18, 2026

Another cold day in Coleraine marked day 2 of JNQ racing in northern MN. Andrew Berndt, Sartell, won the 7.5K U20/U18/U16 Men's race, skating 18 seconds faster than any other skier to finish first. Second went to Peter Schulz, EU, and third to Bridger Nelson, MSC. Joren Dahl, Alexandria Nordic Ski Club, was the best of the U16 boy's in 16th. In the U20/U18/U16 Women's race, Avery Rich, LNR, stood alone, finishing 20 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Carolina Arvold, Duluth XC/North XC, would ski to second, while Selah Binsfeld, MSC, took third. Rounding out the results, Cadel Pohl, Duluth XC, had the highest finish for the U16 girls in 10th.

World Cup Oberhof: Classic Distance

January 18, 2026

A significant warming of the weather on Sunday led to sugary conditions for the day's 10K classic race in Oberhof, Germany. Making his case to the Norwegian national team, Martin Loewstrom Nygent won the men's interval-start event by double digits, besting a familiar favorite in Finland's Iivo Niskanen and his own teammate, Erik Valnes. A surprisingly close contest came of the women's race, with Moa Ilar of Sweden only taking the top spot over Teresa Stadlober of Austria by less than a second. Jonna Sundling, also of Sweden, took third, just holding off Jessie Diggins who fought hard for fourth after an early fall. Improving on his result from yesterday, Zanden McMullen turned out another top-20 performance in 18th, the best result of the US men. Goms, Switzerland is up next for the World Cup circuit, the second stop of Period III and final races before the Winter Olympics.

Coleraine JNQ Classic Sprints Results

January 17, 2026

The second JNQ of the season and first of the new year, a cold classic sprint kicked off the weekend's competitions in Coleraine, MN. First in the U20/U18 Men's final went to Peter Hackney, LNR, who held a sizeable lead over George Nelson, EU, in second and Wells Huotari, LNR, in third. Eleanor Mody, MSC, won the U20/U18 Women's final in a similar fashion, leaving Lila Golomb, also MSC, to second and Paloma Good, LNR, to third. Top finishers in the U16 sprints were Caleb Lyon, MCS, in the Boy's bracket and Anneliese Lindfors, EU, in the Girl's.

Lapham Loppet Results

January 17, 2026

Over 130 skiers turned out Saturday morning for the annual Lapham Loppet races! Ryan Thieme took the men's freestyle title, just ten seconds ahead of Conner Nilsen and Andrew Bertram. High school star Ellie Collins had the top women's freestyle time, Olympia Todd second, and Christine Reinhart third. Tom Labisch and Mary Taggett collected the classic titles.

Ski de She Results

January 17, 2026

Fresh snowfall had the Birkie trails looking like a winter wonderland for the Ski de She races on Saturday morning. In the 30K, Chelsey Youngberg cruised to victory a full five minutes ahead of second place, Karona Kaleta, with Annika Landis third. Della Bettendorf scored the 20K classic victory, Gretta Scholz won the 10K skate and Ingrid Widenbrant the 5K freestyle.

World Cup Oberhof: Freestyle Sprints

January 17, 2026

Just two weekends of World Cup racing remain before a break for the Winter Olympics, the first being this weekend in Oberhof, Germany. Freestyle sprints started the stop off on Saturday and showcased the return of some favorites, and the debut of a lot of new names. Sweden's Jonna Sundling showed she is still in top shape in the women's final, seizing victory ahead of a surging Coletta Ryzdek of Germany, with another Swede, Maja Dahlqvist, right behind her in third. Likewise, Lars Heggen of Norway held off Italy's Federico Pellegrino in the men's final, earning his first career World Cup win after two previous podiums this season, with Even Northug, a fellow Norwegian, taking third. The big standout for the stars and stripes was Samantha Smith who made her first semifinal appearance, finishing 12th, while Zanden McMullen made the top-20 for the men, finishing 20th. A classic competition takes center stage tomorrow with athletes racing individually for the interval-start event.

World Cup Racing: Oberhof Schedule

January 15, 2026

We're under a month out from the Winter Olympics and in that time nations will be looking to lock in their teams. Period III of the World Cup circuit, starting this weekend in Oberhof, Germany, will give those nations a final opportunity to see where their athletes stand. First up on Saturday are freestyle sprints which will be taking place at 6:35 AM CST and 9:05 AM CST for the qualifiers and heats respectively. Then, an interval-start 10K classic race on Sunday will appeal to any athletes still looking to stand out, with the men's field racing first at 3:45 AM CST, followed by the women's field at 5:55 AM CST. A host of new names have been added to the list of candidates available for Period III starts for the US, including two Midwesterners, Emma Albrecht and Erin Bianco.

Across the Pond: Skinnyski Overseas, Part 1

January 12, 2026

After being approached by Salomon late last year, a unique opportunity presented itself. A few weeks later we were en route to Europe and to cover World Cup racing and a product event. Part 1 details our time in Davos, Switzerland for the World Cup competitions in the Swiss Alps.

Minnesota Finlandia Changes Course

January 12, 2026

The Minnesota Finlandia has an announced a number of changes to the 2026 edition. Citing issues with land access they have modified the course and are dropping the famed 50K freestyle and 25K skiathlon races. Registration is now online.

Law-pet Low-pet Challenge Results

January 11, 2026

The Law-pet Low-pet (PreLoppet) Challenge men’s 10K was a closely contested race, with Joe Thuente taking the win by just two seconds over Jacob Dean, while Paavo Rova rounded out the podium. In the women’s field, Lily Ward edged out Liesl Cope-Schaeffer with Anna Peikert in third, as St. Olaf skiers swept the top three spots.

Price Hike: City of Lakes Loppet

January 10, 2026

The City of Lakes Loppet Festival events are fast approaching -- Jan 31 and Feb 1! A huge list of events, with classic, freestyle and even Ski orienteering events, plus fat bike and snowshoe races -- and Kubb tournament! Sign up by Monday night to avoid the next price hike!

Mesabi East Invite Results

January 10, 2026

An epic day of racing on the top tier trails at Giants Ridge for the 2026 Mesabi East Invite. In the Boys Varsity division, Andrew Berndt (Sartell/Cathedral) claimed first in the classic race followed by Owen Robertson (Brainerd) and Connor Loop (Orono), while Peter Schulz (St. Paul Central) took the freestyle title ahead of Noah Waln (St. Paul Highland Park) and Eli Schlichting (Moorhead). For the Girls Varsity division, Lila Golomb (Wayzata) won the classic race followed by Anneliese Lindfors (St. Paul Central) and Estee Versteeg (Fergus Falls), while Selah Binsfeld (Elk River/Zimmerman) topped the freestyle podium followed by Ciara Thatcher (Minneapolis Washburn) and Megan Snider (Mounds Park Academy). Duluth East swept the team titles, finishing with 465 points for the boys and 439 points for the girls.

Seeley Hills Classic Results

January 10, 2026

A perennial favorite, the Seeley Hills Classic took place on Saturday, bringing a crowd of nearly 400 to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Chelsey Youngberg took the title in the women's 42K race, winning by a cool five minutes ahead of Vivian Johnson in second and Nel Hanson in third. The men's 42K race was won by Tryg Solberg, who sprinted away from Matt Liebsch and David Joda to finish first. At half the distance, the victors of the 22K race were Karl Nelson, who also won out in a sprint finish, and Gabby Vandendries, who mirrored the longer women's race, putting five minutes on the rest of the competition in her win.

SISU Ski Fest Results

January 10, 2026

Making its triumphant return after a two year hiatus due to low snow, the Sisu Ski Fest in Ironwood, MI brought nearly 600 skiers to town on Saturday for the 2026 edition of the event. Top prizes in the 30K classic went to Alexander Gude and Delaney Fitzpatrick, while Mitchell Campbell and Katie Wieber won out in the 30K freestyle. Meanwhile, the first freestyle finishers in the 15K were Sullivan Sportel and Laci Provenzano, with Will Andresen and Joan Rundman being credited for the win in the 15K classic.

US Nationals: Classic Sprints Results

January 9, 2026

Wrapping up before the weekend, the fourth and final day of racing at the 2026 US Cross-Country Ski Championships in Lake Placid, NY was held on Friday. Not a national title competition but instead part of the SuperTour, classic sprints were the subject of the day. Samantha Smith shown out again in the women's sprint, winning out by over three seconds ahead of Hailey Swirbul in second and Ava Thurston in third. The three would make up the all-American podium for the women's field which had a strong Midwestern presence featuring five athletes in the top-20: Emma Albrecht in 5th, Erin Bianco in 9th, Alayna Sonnesyn in 13th, Renae Anderson in 14th, and Michaela Keller-Miller in 16th. Zanden McMullen got his second win in as many days in the men's sprint, similarly taking the top spot by a sizeable margin with almost four seconds to spare. Will Koch was the next fastest skier in second, followed by Max Kluck in third, while the Midwest was again well represented with four finishing in and around the top-20: Benon Brattebo in 11th, John Schwinghamer in 16th, Andrew Defor in 20th, and Caden Albrecht in 23rd. Strong winds and concern for the safety of athletes ultimately led to the cancelation of the junior heats.

US Nationals: Freestyle Distance Results

January 8, 2026

The third day of racing at the 2026 US Cross-Country Ski Championships in Lake Placid, NY brought with it a final set of national titles to pursue and a return to distance racing for all athletes. Seniors had 20K to ski, with the women's field out first in the mass-start freestyle event. An early fracturing of the field eventually boiled down to a head to head race with Novie McCabe earning the win and the first of the two national titles after outsprinting Tilde Baangman of Sweden. Kendall Kramer crossed the line shortly after the pair as the second American and third finisher, with Ava Thurston, a little further back, finishing fourth to take third on the all-American podium. A group of three collectively posted the top times for the Midwest women in the race: Alayna Sonnesyn in 10th, Emma Albrecht in 12th, and Erin Bianco in 14th. Finishing in a similar fashion, a four-way sprint decided the men's race, with Zanden McMullen across the line first to take the title and win. Mons Melbye of Norway would secure second, followed by the second American, John Steel Hagenbuch, in third as Jakob Elias Moch of Germany took fourth. Just under 10 seconds back from the group, Zachary Jayne completed the all-American podium, finishing fifth. Another three athletes stoodout for the Midwest in the men's race, all posting top-20 times: Benjamin Dohlby in 16th, Colin Freed in 17th, and Reid Goble in 18th. Continuing to leading the Midwest juniors, Linnea Ousdigian left it late in the junior women's race, sprinting to the line with Ally Wheeler and narrowly finishing second as the top U18 athlete. First in the junior men's race went to Tabor Greenberg by a decisive margin, with another Midwesterner, Eddie Snider tallying a top time in 9th. One more race remains, a round of classic sprints taking place tomorrow, which are not technically for a national title but are instead part of the SuperTour.

Biathlon: Olympic Team Finalized with Final Four Athletes

January 6, 2026

US Biathlon announced on Tuesday the final four athletes that will be representing the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Two more Midwesterners made the group, Luci Anderson of Golden Valley, MN for her first Winter Games, and Paul Schommer of Appleton, WI for his second, making it a total of four athletes that will be representing the region in Italy.

US Nationals: Freestyle Sprints Results

January 6, 2026

Day 2 of the 2026 US Cross-Country Ski Championships took place on Tuesday in Lake Placid, NY which featured national titles up for the taking in freestyle sprints. Strong results by the Midwest women saw six make the heats, with the best showing by far going to Alayna Sonnesyn who took second to Samantha Smith by mere hundredths of a second in the women's final. The pair would also take the top two spots on the all-American podium, with the final spot going to the third place finisher, Ava Thurston. Winning by a slightly wider margin, Mons Melbye of Norway came out on top in the men's final, besting Sasha Masson of Canada by about a half a second. Hot on his heels, Zachary Jayne would finish third as the top American, with fourth and fifth fleshing out the rest of the all-American podium via Ari Endestad and Michael Earnhart. Hailing from Mora, MN, St. Scholastica alumni John Schwinghamer posted the best finish of the Midwest men in 17th. Junior champs on the day in their respective bracket were Britta Johnson and James Underwood, while Linnea Ousdigian once again had a standout performance among the Midwest juniors, making the senior heats where she finished 23rd as the third fastest junior. Another break in the action pushes the next Championships competition to Thursday which will be mass-start freestyle races.

Sisu Ski Fest: Trail Conditions are Great

January 5, 2026

The Sisu Ski Fest in Ironwood is reporting a stellar race conditions after over 80 inches of snow this season. Register by January 7th to secure your spot!

US Nationals: Classic Distance Results

January 4, 2026

An extra important year with spots on the Olympic team at stake, the 2026 US Cross-Country Ski Championships kicked off in Lake Placid, NY on Sunday with an extra cold classic race to start things off. Covering 10K in an interval-start format, the women's field was on course first which proved to be an especially decisive contest with the recently unretired Hailey Swirbul taking the title by over 30 seconds. Second would go to Sweden's Erica Laven, who herself held an almost 10 second lead over her fellow countrywoman Tilde Baangman in third. Finishing fourth and fifth, Novie McCabe and Samantha Smith rounded out the all-American podium, while Renae Anderson, Alayna Sonnesyn, and Emma Albrecht were the top Midwest women, finishing 9th, 10th, and 12th respectively. The men's race proved to be an extremely tight contest with a second or less deciding four of the top five finishes. Hunter Wonders finished first, earning the title of top American, followed closely by Luke Jager who was second overall and among the Americans, with third going to Olivier Leveille of Canada. Zachary Jayne, formerly of the University of St. Scholastica, finished fourth as the third American overall, and Reid Goble led the Midwest men with a top-20 finish in 18th. Top times by juniors went to Ally Wheeler in 20th and Jack Leveque in 14th, and another top Midwest result came from Linnea Ousdigian who was the third fastest U18 skier in 46th. Following a rest day on Monday, Tuesday will feature freestyle sprints for the second competition of the 2026 US Cross-Country Ski Championships.

Tour de Ski: Stage 6 Freestyle Distance; Second on the Stage and Third Tour Title for Diggins

January 4, 2026

A fantastic finish to the 20th edition of the Tour de Ski, Sunday was the signature sufferfest that saw athletes summit Alpe Cermis for the sixth and final stage in Val di Fiemm, Italy. Almost no one was ready to suffer more than Jessie Diggins who went deep into the pain cave on her way to a second place finish and her third Tour de Ski title. Norway's Karoline Simpson-Larsen was the only one faster, finishing 8.8 seconds ahead, with her teammate Heidi Weng trailing Diggins for third. Completing the overall podium, Teresa Stadlober of Austria snuck in for second after an inspired performance, while Heidi Weng also tied up third with her efforts. Heading into the day Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo held a lead in the men's overall standings that would all but seem to secure him his fifth title, but his teammate Mattis Stenshagen would take a serious shot at it, putting a minute on him to win the stage and secure second in the standings. Last year's leader on the climb, France's Jules Lapierre finished second, while another Norwegian, Emil Iversen, took third. Klaebo would still win out in the overall standings, taking the all-time lead for Tour titles, while Harald Oestberg Amundsen completed Norway's sweep of overall podium, finishing third. The top time for the US men, Gus Schumacher finished the stage in 16th, earning a historic best 7th place overall finish for the group. Taking a two week break, World Cup racing will resume later this month for the start of Period III.

First Chance Results

January 3, 2026

A good field for the 5K and 10K freestyle races at the Vasaloppet Nordic Center on Saturday. In the 10K race were Ryan Steger and Isaac Wieber took it to a photo finish, Steger edging out by 4/10th of a second, and Zachary Nelson coming in third. In the female division, the Katie Wieber earned the victory with Phoebe Hackensack second, and Daphne Grobstein third. Bradon McKinnon and Annika Ostby secured first place in the 5K race as the top male and female skiers, respectively.

Tour de Ski: Stage 5 Classic Sprints

January 3, 2026

The second to last stage of the Tour de Ski, Saturday had classic sprints as the focus for Stage 5 in Val Di Fiemme, Italy. A preview of what will be the Olympic venue in a little over a month's time, the course proved to be an especially long one with heats taking nearly a minute longer than previous sprints. Finding her form, Finland's Jasmi Joensuu stole the show in the women's final, striding away to secure her first World Cup victory ahead of Nadine Faehndrich of Switzerland and Johanna Hagstroem of Sweden. Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo would show off similar tactics in the men's final, leaving second and third to be settled by Jules Chappaz of France and Anton Grahn of Sweden, a first time World Cup podium appearance by the latter. Six were in the heats for the States, but only one broke through to the semifinals, Jessie Diggins, where she finished 7th. Tomorrow athletes will tackle the Tour's final test: a 10K course that ascends Alpe Cermis, with the overall title awaiting the first to finish.

World Cup Racing: Tour de Ski Stages 5 and 6 Schedule

January 1, 2026

Closing out a week's worth of World Cup racing in the Italian Alps, the final two events of the 20th edition of the Tour de Ski take place this weekend in Val di Fiemme. Stage 5 on Saturday will see athletes sprinting in the classic technique, starting with a qualifying round at 5:15 AM CST, and the heats themselves at 7:45 AM CST. The competition then concludes on Sunday with Stage 6: the infamous climb up Alpe Cermis. Split between 4:30 AM CST and 8:30 AM CST respectively, the men's and women's fields will make their way up the mountain to cement their standings in this season's Tour de Ski and wrap up Period II of the World Cup circuit.

Tour de Ski: Stage 4 Classic Distance; Back-to-Back Wins for Diggins

January 1, 2026

Another strong showing by the US, Thursday's Stage 4 results in the pursuit format classic competition were a testament to the strength of the team in Toblach. With rock-solid kick and glide, plus a minute to spare over the rest of the field, Jessie Diggins did what she does best: gave it her all. Laying down a vicious tempo, she netted herself an additional 30 seconds over the course of the 20K race, finishing first well before any other athletes had even entered the stadium. When the next athletes did finally arrive, it was Moa Ilar of Sweden and Teresa Stadlober of Austria who would claim the final two spots on the women's podium. The men's race played out similarly, with Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo the one out on his own, but there was considerably more excitement surrounding the race for second and third. Eight other athletes found themselves in the mix heading into the finish, including the American Gus Schumacher, but a tactical maneuver would see Mattis Stenshagen of Norway break away to steal second, while Sweden's Edvin Anger just nipped Italy's Federico Pellegrino at the line for third, with Schumacher finishing 6th. Another break in the action, the final two races of this season's Tour de Ski will take place on Saturday and Sunday in Val di Fiemme, Italy.

Mpls Ski Club: PRO Project Boosts Midwest Nordic for Post-Collegiate Skiers

January 1, 2026

Minneapolis Ski Club Nordic has launched the MPLS Pro Project, a new professional level program designed to help post collegiate Nordic skiers continue competing at a high level while balancing careers and life beyond sport. The program offers flexible, individualized training and race support, creating a sustainable pathway for athletes to stay engaged in elite Nordic skiing without having to choose between sport and livelihood.

Weekend Racing

December 31, 2025

A couple of New Year tune-ups this weekend...
Jan 3 First Chance Race - Vasaloppet host fast and run 10K and 5K races on the trails at the Nordic Center.
Jan 4 Battle Creek 50K - Crank out the laps, on snowmaking and natural snow trails at Battle Creek.
Check out the latest updates we've received in the Racing Outlook.

Tour de Ski: Stage 3 Freestyle Distance; Americans Sweep as Schumacher and Diggins Double

December 31, 2025

One for the books, Wednesday's debut of the heat mass start 5K freestyle event lived up to the hype and more to mark Stage 3 of the Tour de Ski. Taking it back ten years in Toblach, Jessie Diggins showed an unmatched ability to work the field as she lead her heat to the fastest time on the day in the women's race, her 29th career victory in the exact place and distance she got her first career victory a decade ago. Her win added to an already incredible showing by the Americans, with Gus Schumacher displaying much of the same tactics earlier in the day to win his heat in the men's race, which also upset the rest of the field as the fastest time on the day. This marks the first time the US has ever won both the men's and the women's races on the same day. Julia Kern also had a day in the women's race, taking 10th as she won her heat. Bolstered by the efforts of the aforementioned, Benjamin Moser of Austria reached his first World Cup podium in second ahead of Norway's Lars Heggen, and Emma Ribom and Moa Ilar both snagged a pair of podium spots for Sweden. Thursday's pursuit-start 20K classic race will be the subject of Stage 4 as the Tour's trip to Toblach comes to a close.

World Cup Racing: Tour de Ski Stages 3 and 4 Schedule

December 29, 2025

Approaching the midpoint of the competition, the second set of Tour de Ski stages begin on Wednesday with one of the most anticipated events of the competition. Stage 3 will see athletes compete in a pseudo-mass-start freestyle 5K where batches of athletes will be racing together at a time, with another batch starting as soon as the last one finishes. The men get to try it first starting at 4:30 AM CST, with the women getting their turn at 7:30 AM CST. Thursday then closes out the Tour's time in Toblach, with a 20K pursuit in the classic technique scheduled for Stage 4. Like the previous stage, the men will be racing first at 3:30 AM CST, with the women competing afterwards at 5:30 AM CST.

Tour de Ski: Stage 2 Classic Distance; Diggins Takes Third and the Lead

December 29, 2025

Serving as Stage 2 of the Tour de Ski, Monday had athletes skiing solo as they competed for the fastest time on a 10K classic course in Toblach, Italy. Capitalizing on a solid sprint performance from the day before, Jessie Diggins conquered her classic demons for a third place finish in the women's race, pushing her to the top of the Overall standings. A repeat of their results from yesterday, Norway won that race through the efforts of Astrid Oeyre Slind, while Teresa Stadlober of Austria sandwiched herself between Slind and Diggins for second. Another bout of deja vu, Norway again swept the men's race, with Mattis Stenshagen, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, and Emil Iversen taking the top three spots in a tight finish. Finishing just inside the top-20, Gus Schumacher posted the top time among the US men in 17th. A third of the way through the Tour, tomorrow offers athletes a day of rest before the competition continues on Wednesday.

Tour de Ski: Stage 1 Freestyle Sprints

December 28, 2025

Jumpstarting Period II of the World Cup circuit, the 20th edition of the Tour de Ski kicked off in Toblach, Italy on Sunday. Freestyle sprints were the featured event for the first day, with a longer course and a lap over the Nordic Arena in store for athletes. Norway's Kristen Staavas Skistad was the one to beat in the women's final, but no one could match her as she skied to just her second win of the season. Germany's Coletta Rydzek would take second, while Maja Dahlqvist of Sweden secured the last podium spot ahead of Jessie Diggins in fourth. The men's final went down as yet another sweep by the Norwegian team led Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo who was on a revenge tour following his disastrous early exit in Davos. With with only about a tenth of a second to spare, he would lead in two of his teammates, Lars Heggen and Oskar Opstad Vike, who took second and third respectively. Four headed into the heats for the US men, but only one advanced to the semifinals, Gus Schumacher, who ended his day in 11th. Tomorrow, athlete's attention turns to a distance event for Stage 2 as they take on a 10K classic race in an interval-start format.

Winter Warm-up Coverage

December 27, 2025

A combined field of over 100 skiers turned out just past Christmas for the Winter Warmup races at Elm Creek on Saturday morning. Colin Freed topped the men's 10K with Markus Bryan Grothe just seconds back and Jonathan Clarke in third. Katie Wieber posted the top womens time with Lauren McCollor second and Lena Elveos Kjelstrup third. Full results linked in, plus photos from Pioneer Midwest and a clip from WCCO News.

MNHSNSCA: Round 2 High School Rankings

December 26, 2025

The Minnesota High School Nordic Ski Coaches Association (MNHSNSCA) has released their second round rankings for the Minnesota High School Nordic ski season. mounds View's Linnea Ousdigian and Hopkins' Logan Drevlow remain the top ranked individuals, with Stillwater boys team moving up to first as the Minnetonka girls remain the favorite.

World Cup Racing: Tour de Ski Stages 1 and 2 Schedule

December 26, 2025

Moving into Period II, World Cup racing returns this Sunday for the start of the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy. Stage 1 will showcase freestyle sprints with the qualifiers taking place at 4:45 AM CST on Sunday, and the heats taking place at 7:15 AM CST that same day. Monday marks Stage 2 which will feature an interval-start 10K classic race where the men's field will compete first at 4:45 AM CST, followed by the women's field at 7:45 AM CST. The US contingent will be a little less crowded for the Tour de Ski, but a majority of the Midwest athletes from Period I remain with Luci Anderson, Kevin Bolger, Jessie Diggins, Zak Ketterson, and Alayna Sonnesyn all set to race representing the region.

Registration Open for 2026 Great Bear Chase

December 22, 2025

A much snowier start to the season has Great Bear Chase organizers looking ahead to their March 7th race date. Read their latest press release to find all the reason you need to get registered today!

Biathlon: Four Athletes Announced for Olympic Team

December 21, 2025

With about a month and a half to go until the Games, US Biathlon has announced four of the eight athletes that will be representing the nation at the Olympics. Among them is Deedra Irwin of Pulaski, WI who is heading to her second Winter Games, and Margie Freed of Apple Valley, MN who will be making her Olympic debut. The remaining four spots on the team will be announced on Jan 6th following timed trials in Antholz, Italy.

Cable JNQ/CCSA Classic Coverage

December 21, 2025

Sunday featured exciting classic mass start races for the Gitchi Gami Games at the Birkie Trailhead. Crisp single digits tempered the overall speed, but LNR' Linnea Ousdigian held off all challengers to continue her unbeaten streak this season. Greta Hanson, MTU, collected second with Hanna Koch, Univ of Vermont, posting third. The men's race was a closely fought battle with Benon Brattebo, Univ of Vermont, completing the weekend sweep, Team Birkie's Roger Anderson inching out UWGB Fisk Johansson and Alexander Bertonneau, CSS, in a photo finish for second! U16 victories were earned by Annika Stringer and Brayden Kelly. Full results linked in, plus photosets of the 10K races.

Cable JNQ/CCSA Classic Sprints Results

December 20, 2025

Top end racing action picked up again this weekend with the Gitchi Gami Games classic sprint races Saturday at the American Birkebeiner trailhead. Loppet Nordic Racing's Linnea Ousdigian continued her domination, taking the womens final three seconds clear of Julia Junkkala and Greta Hansen, both MTU skiers. Home for the holidays: Benon Brattebo, University of Vermont, took the mens final with Miles Miner, Williams College, second and Ivar Dragerengen, UGWB, third. Junior finals were won by Zoe Sumner, Bates College, and Jack Randolph, LNR. U16 victories earned by Ashley Derenne, Bay Nordic, and Brayden Kelly, Lakeland Nordic. Full results linked in.

Hoigaards Relays Coverage

December 20, 2025

A very gusty morning added a little extra flavor to the Hoigaards Relay races Saturday morning at Elm Creek. The duo of Matt Liebsch and Chris Queitzsch scored the masters victory, just ahead of the pairing of Jacob Dean and Joe Thuente, with the team of Ian Wright and McEwan Rodefeld third. Ingrid Halverson and Erica Kazin had the top womens time, Katie and Isaac Weiber taking the mixed pair title. Full results posted, along with photosets.

Weekend Racing

December 17, 2025

A little tune-up before the Holidays...
Dec 20-21 Gitchi Gami Games - The Birkie hosts two days of JNQ racing with classic sprints and classic mass start races.
Dec 20 Hoigaards Relays - The popular team relay races at set for this Saturday at Elm Creek.
Dec 20 WinMan Early Bird - High school and citizen races on the WinMan trails.
Dec 21 Santa Ski Race - Ariens Nordic celebrates the holidays with a festive set of races on their snowmaking course.
We'll post any updates we receive in the Racing Outlook.

Holiday Relays Results

December 17, 2025

The 2025 edition of the Ahvo Taipale Holiday Relays took place Wednesday at Battle Creek West. The Stillwater Boys A squad came away with the victory, a full minute ahead of St. Paul Central A squad, with Stillwater's B squad third. In the girls race, St. Paul Central A crew flipped the script, winning by 50 seconds over Stillwater A team, with Mounds View A squad third. Full results and splits now posted.

Price Hike: City of Lakes Loppet

December 14, 2025

The huge City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival has posted their course maps and has much of the course groomed up! The next price hike is just days away -- register by Tuesday night, Dec 16th, to lock in at the current level!

Duluth JNQ Freestyle Individual Start Results

December 14, 2025

Another bright, crisp day of racing in Duluth Sunday, with the format switching from mass start to interval. Tryg Solberg posted the top men's time by 5 seconds over Fisk Johansson, U20,UW-Green Bay, in second and Alexander Bertonneau, U23, College of St. Scholastica, rounded out the top three. Connor Reckinger, Bay Nordic, finished fourth and the top U18 skier. Midwest star Linnea Ousdigian, U18, Loppet Nordic Racing, completed her weekend sweep, winning by over 30 seconds. Chelsey Youngberg was second with Della Bettendorf, U20, College of St. Scholastica, taking third. Lillian Franzen, UW-Green Bay, was the top U23, finishing 6th. Full results linked in.

World Cup Davos: Freestyle Distance

December 14, 2025

Wrapping up Period I of the World Cup circuit, Sunday's interval-start 10K freestyle event was a close contest with only a handful of seconds, and sometimes less, deciding the podium in both the men's and women's races. Probably the most decisive finish of the day, Einar Hedegart of Norway won the men's race by almost 12 seconds, besting two of his teammates, Harald Oestberg Amundsen and Mattis Stenshagen, who completed the all-Norwegian podium. The winner of the women's race was also Norwegian, but not one of the usual suspects. Finishing first by just over two seconds, Karoline Simpson-Larsen took the win, her first World Cup podium, followed closely by Sweden's Moa Ilar in second, and another Norwegian, Astrid Oeyre Slind, in third. Top results for the US team today came from Jessie Diggins in fifth, and notably Luci Anderson in 25th, who finished just three places off of her personal best. Now the world Cup circuit goes on hiatus for a couple weeks before picking up again after the holidays for the start of the Tour de Ski.

Duluth JNQ Freestyle Mass Start Results

December 13, 2025

Under bright sunny skies and crisp temps, Duluth's Spirit Mountain Nordic Center hosted the opening Midwest JNQ race on Saturday. Originally scheduled as freestyle sprints, they were changed to mass start freestyle races. Reid Thompson from Canada, MU18, representing Big Thunder Nordic, took first place by just a second over Alexander Bertonneau, MU23, College of St. Scholastica with Oliver Miatke, MU23, Saint Michael's College, rounded out the top three. Fisk Johansson, UW-Green Bay, was the top MU20 in 4th, and Connor Reckinger, Bay Nordic, the top US MU18 in 5th. In the women's race, Linnea Ousdigian, FU18, representing Loppet Nordic Racing, took first place in dominating fashion -- a well over minute margin of victory. Della Bettendorf, FU20, College of St. Scholastica, edged out Annelise Baird, FU20, Duluth XC/North XC, as they completed the podium. Jazlyn Gunderson, College of St. Scholastica, was the top U23 and 8th overall. Full results linked in.

World Cup Davos: Freestyle Sprints

December 13, 2025

Sprints were back on the menu on Saturday for the second day of racing in Switzerland, with the courses signature climb deciding who won and lost each race. In the women's final, Sweden's Jonna Sundling made her return to the top of the podium by making a move on that very climb, although Norway's Mathilda Myhrvold wouldn't let her go easy, challenging her in a photo finish that saw Myhrvold take second by less than a tenth of a second. The hometown hero, Switzerland's Nadine Faehndrich would go on to take third. After a surprise early exit by Norway's superstar, France's Lucas Chanavat went on to win in the same fashion, besting Federico Pellegrino of Italy by an even slimmer margin of three one hundredths of a second. Third would go to Norway's Oskar Opstad who earned his second podium of the season. A fantastic day for American athletes, six qualified for the heats, with two making it all the ways to the finals, Jack Young and Ben Ogden, where they finished 4th and 5th respectively, a career best for the former. Sunday brings an end to World Cup racing in Davos and Period I of the circuit with an interval-start 10K freestyle race on deck for all athletes.

World Cup Davos: Team Sprints

December 12, 2025

Team sprints, the first of the season, were featured on Friday as the leadoff event for the last stop on leg 1 of the World Cup circuit: Davos, Switzerland. Clear favorites heading into the day, Norway's Erik Valnes and Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, and Sweden's Maja Dahlqvist and Jonna Sundling, easily defended their reputation, crushing their competition on the way to their respective wins in the men's and women's finals. It was a race for second in the end, as the men's final two podium positions went the way of the Italy I and Sweden I, while the Norway II and Norway I teams completed the podium in the women's final. Saving most of their athletes for the Saturday and Sunday races, the US only fielded one team, Ben Ogden and JC Schoonmaker, who did not manage to qualify for the final. Up next: more sprints on Saturday with a focus on competing individually and in the freestyle technique.

World Cup Racing: Davos Schedule

December 9, 2025

The end of first leg of the World Cup circuit is in sight as athletes descend upon Davos, Switzerland to see out Period I. This weekend's racing action kicks off with the first team sprints of the season on Friday, which will take place at 8:00 AM CST and 10:00 AM CST for the qualifiers and finals respectively. Saturday serves up an encore with more sprinting scheduled, starting with a qualifying round for the freestyle event at 6:45 AM CST, and the heats themselves ensuing at 9:15 AM CST. Last but not least, Sunday will see athletes go the distance as the compete individually over 10K in an interval-start freestyle event that has the men's field heading out first at 2:50 AM CST, and the women's field following suit at 6:45 AM CST.

Mesabi East Invite Details Posted

December 8, 2025

The huge Mesabi East Invite meet is scheduled for January 10th! Registration is now open with a deadline of Jan 5th. Full details on the event in the press release.

Racing Outlook

December 8, 2025

The first races on the calendar are coming up this weekend with Skadi's Chase and JNQ races in Duluth. We're posting event updates as they come in.

American Birkebeiner: Minnesota Skiers Named Iconic Birkie Warriors for 2026

December 8, 2025

Katie Hoeg, Peter Enz, and Erik Hoeg, all from Minnesota, will portray the iconic Inga and Birkebeiner Warriors for the 2026 Birkie Week in Hayward, Wisconsin. Meeting on their Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School ski team, this experienced trio brings deep community ties and family tradition to the 54K classic reenactment.

ABR Opener Results

December 7, 2025

Wisconsin scores the first set of high school results for the season -- ABR opener Saturday, Dec 6th. Neils Stringer, IND, and Kris Blegen, Peak Nordic, posted the top times.

World Cup Trondheim: Freestyle Distance; Third Podium for Diggins

December 7, 2025

Another freestyle finish to cap off a solid weekend series for the US Ski Team, Sunday's interval-start 10K race in Trondheim, Norway saw Jessie Diggins turn out her third podium performance of the season. Finishing third after leaving it all on the track, she would only be bested by two Swede's, Ebba Andersson and Moa Ilar, who finished 1-2, in that order. Gus Schumacher led the men's team with a terrific top-10 time that landed him in 11th, while Zak Ketterson also had a good showing with a 23rd place finish. The men's podium was another all-Norwegian affair, although not with the usual suspects. Einar Hedegart stood atop the top spot, his first World Cup win, with Andreas Fjorden Ree and Martin Loewstrom Nygent joining him in second and third respectively. Traveling south to Switzerland, next weekend's competition will take place in Davos for the final races of Period I of the World Cup circuit.

World Cup Trondheim: Skiathlon; Diggins Touts Tactics in Win

December 6, 2025

Saturday's skiathlon races in Trondheim, Norway were a masterclass in tactics with both competitions being decided by a single move under a kilometer from the finish line. With wicked fast skis and plenty of experience to boot, Jessie Diggins stole the show in the women's race, saving her energy for much of the freestyle portion to strike on the final climb, leaving a fractured field in her wake on her way to her 30th World Cup victory. Norway's Heidi Weng would be her closest competitor but offered no real contest, finishing second, while Ebba Andersson of Sweden finished as the best of the rest in third. The men's race would be decided in similar fashion, with the hometown hero himself, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, making the same move on the final climb to clinch his second win of the weekend. Making it an all-Norwegian podium, Harald Oestberg Amundsen led in the rest of the field to secure second, while Emil Iversen, who trains with Klaebo and has not reached an individual World Cup podium since 2021, ended his drought to take third. Just outside the top-20, Gus Schumacher was the first to the finish of the US men, placing 21st. Sunday will feature the final day of World Cup racing in Trondheim, with an interval-start 10K freestyle event on the books.

Price Hike: Vasaloppet USA

December 5, 2025

Snow has fallen and many trails have already been groomed up in Mora! The Vasaloppet USA has a price hike coming up on December 8th. Get your registrations in by Sunday night to save some cash!

World Cup Trondheim: Classic Sprints

December 5, 2025

The second stop of the 2025/2026 season took the World Cup circuit to Trondheim, Norway for three days of racing. Classic sprints started things off on Friday where avoiding crashes became the chief competition for many athletes as the heats got underway. In the women's final, an early crash all but ensured that Sweden's Johanna Hagstroem would get her second World Cup win, while two of her teammates, Emma Ribom and Linn Svahn, rallied for second and third. Clear of crashes, the men's final was cleaner with Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway earning his 100th win on the World Cup in his hometown. However, that feat was almost eclipsed by a shock showing from 19-year-old Swede Alvar Mhyback who took third, nearly outstretching Norway's Vike Oskar Opstad for second on the way to his first World Cup podium. Of the US contingent, Ben Odgen made it the furthest, crashing out for a top-10 finish in the semifinals, while Jessie Diggins was the best of the women, finishing 14th. A shake-up for Saturday, tomorrow's skiathlon will see athletes compete in both classic and freestyle techniques.

Tour de Finn: The Season Ahead

December 4, 2025

After several snow-less seasons the tide has turned for the Tour de Finn as it starts its third season just over a week out at Skadi's Chase, part of the Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener. Tune-in to their latest blog post to find all the details on the schedule for the Series' latest season!

World Cup Racing: Trondheim Schedule

December 2, 2025

World Cup racing rolls into Trondheim, Norway this weekend for week 2 on the circuit with three days of competitions planned. First up on Friday is a round of classic sprints, with the qualifiers scheduled for 2:45 AM CST, and the heats scheduled for 5:15 AM CST. Then a 20K skiathlon will take the spotlight on Saturday, with the men's field competing at 4:10 AM CST, and the women's field doing likewise at 6:00 AM CST. Finally, an interval-start 10K freestyle race ends the events on Sunday, with the women's field leading off at 2:30 AM CST, followed by the men's field at 4:55 AM CST.

World Cup Ruka: Freestyle Distance; Diggins Skis to Second

November 30, 2025

Ending the weekend with another strong showing, the US Ski Team had two big results in Sunday's mass-start 20K freestyle event. The first was a sheer show of willpower by Jessie Diggins that saw her ski to second in the women's race after yo-yoing off the back of the lead pack on several occasions. Sweden's Jonna Sundling would take the win, while Heidi Weng of Norway would smartly secure third. Zak Ketterson earned the other big result, skiing to 9th in the men's race for his first top-10 finish, setting a new personal best only two days after the last. Norway's Harald Oestberg Amundsen took the top spot on the podium, while teammate Einar Hedegart took second for his first World Cup podium, and Edvin Anger of Sweden took third. Now it's four days off for World Cup athletes before the next bout of racing which will take place in Trondheim, Norway.

World Cup Ruka: Classic Sprints

November 29, 2025

The first sprinting action of the World Cup season was on Saturday, a shift in distance from the day before, but not technique. Continuing their rivalry spanning several seasons, Norway and Sweden went toe-to-toe in the women's final, with Kristen Staavas Skistad claiming victory for the former, and Jonna Sundling and Maha Dahlqvist scooping up the the remaining two podium spots for the later. Norway was also victorious in the men's final, with Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo maintaining his undefeated sprinting streak that stretches back almost two years, and two more teammates joining him on the podium, Erik Valnes and Ansgar Evensen. Four Americans qualified for the heats, but only two advanced—Jessie Diggins and Ben Ogden—both making it as far as the semifinals where they finished 10th and 12th respectively. Sunday's mass-start 20K freestyle race marks the end of the opening World Cup weekend in Ruka.

World Cup Ruka: Classic Distance

November 28, 2025

And just like that, the World Cup season has officially begun! Kicking things off in a very snowy Ruka, Finland, the opening event for the 2025/2026 season was an interval-start 10K classic race and was a big one for Minnesotans. Saving her best for last, Jessie Diggins skied to a personal-best finish at the venue, placing 5th in the first race of her final season. A packed podium, the top-3 for the women's race featured a pair of Swedish athletes, Frida Karlason in first and Moa Ilar in third, with one Norwegian, Heidi Weng, splitting the two in second. Local athlete Zak Ketterson also had a monumental day, finishing a career-best 14th to start his World Cup campaign. With just 5 seconds separating first from third, the men's race was won by Martin Loewstrom Nygent of Norway, with Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, also of Norway, settling for second, and Mika Vermeulen, an Austrian, finishing third, a career-best in classic for him. The second day of racing in Ruka, taking place tomorrow, will feature classic sprints.

World Cup Racing: Season Preview

November 26, 2025

The World Cup season is upon us! With only days to go until an absolutely massive season arrives, we're breaking it all down into bite sized pieces: from changes to the events and schedule, to who to watch out for in the buildup to the big events, we've got it all, so join us as we celebrate the start of another World Cup season!

Biathlon: Rosters Announced for World Cup, IBU Cup

November 23, 2025

With the World and IBU Cup seasons about to get underway, the United States Biathlon Association announced on Sunday their roster of the 16 athletes who will be competing in either competition. The Midwest was once again well represented among the athletes named, with Margie Freed, Deedra Irwin, Lucinda Anderson, and Paul Schommer making the World Cup team, and Jake Brown and Vaclav Cervenka making the IBU Cup squad.

Jessie Diggins to Retire Following 2025/2026 Season

November 19, 2025

In a heartfelt message posted to Facebook and Instagram, Jessie Diggins, 34, the 3-time Olympic medalist and 3-time overall World Cup champion, announced that she will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2025/2026 season. She wrote: "It's been the honor of a lifetime to get to represent such amazing communities and ski fans on the world stage, and I'm so lucky to get to do this one last time. I'll be giving this season everything I've got, right to the last finish line in New York at the Stifel Lake Placid Finals."

Midwest Racing Season Preview

November 15, 2025

With the first flakes already on the ground in parts of the Midwest, it's time to talk turkey and think snow. Winter is coming, and in some parts of the region you could argue it's already here, so we're looking ahead to what the 2025/2026 season has in store for us. Join us as we preview the racing season and get geared up for another winter in the Midwest.

Price Hike: Fat Bike Birkie

November 11, 2025

Set for Feb 28th this season, the Fat Bike Birkie provides the one-day unique experience of racing Fat Bikes on the famous American Birkebeiner trail. The event offers a wide range of categories and distance -- something for everyone. The next price hike is midnight Thursday, Nov 13th, so get your registration in by Thursday night!

Price Hike: City of Lakes Loppet

November 10, 2025

The huge City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival will be Jan 31 - Feb 1 this season but the next price hike is just days away -- register by Wednesday night, Nov 12th, to lock in your place at the start line at the current level!

MNHSNSCA: Round 1 High School Rankings

November 10, 2025

The Minnesota High School Nordic Ski Coaches Association (MNHSNSCA) has published their first round rankings for the Minnesota High School Nordic ski season. Returning champs Linnea Ousdigian and Logan Drevlow are again the top ranked individuals, with Washburn boys and Minnetonka girls the early team favorites.

Web Roundup

November 5, 2025

Mic'd Up with Jessie - Join Jessie Diggins as she provides a play-by-play of her training during the US Ski Team's Soldier Hollow fall camp.
Anonymous in America - No stranger in Norway, superstar skier Johannes Klaebo has spent the past few summers undercover in Utah.
At Altitude - Zak Ketterson has been out the country overseas in Europe, and checks in from Livigno, Italy for some altitude training.
Sickness, Stress-Free - Getting sick can feel unavoidable, but it doesn't have to cause undue stress writes Kevin Bolger for Team Birkie.
Keeping the Cold In - One of Time's best inventions of 2025 is a blanket that keeps things cold and helps ski resorts store snow.
Lookin' Like La Niña - Cooler temps in the Pacific mean we're in store for cooler temps in the Midwest as a La Niña winter looks likely.
A Season for Snow - The season is shaping up to be a snowy one with wetter weather potentially producing a winter wonderland.

Birkie Hosting Wisconsin Nordic Winter Kickoff Livestream Nov 17th

November 2, 2025

Whether you're a Wisconsinite or just another winter enthusiast, the Birkie will be hosting a WI Nordic Winter Kickoff Livestream two weeks from now on Nov 17th. Tune in to hear from a range of organizations, from teams to trail groomers, that help to make the most of each winter, and stick around afterward for a live Q&A and giveaways!

Price Hike: Pepsi Challenge

October 29, 2025

Pepsi Challenge races will be on Feb 28th this winter. Registered skiers receive a free lunch, a chance at some great prizes, and the 25K classic is part of the Tour de Finn. The first price hike is Nov 1st, so register by Halloween night (Friday) to get in on the lowest pricing.

CXC Rollerski Championships Freestyle Coverage

October 25, 2025

A beautiful fall day in Cable for freestyle events at the CXC Rollerski Championships, Saturday morning. Alayna Sonnesyn hammered out an impressive win in the womens field with Greta Scholz second, Amaeli Kam-Magruder third. The mens field was much closer as Henry Snider scored the victory with Matt Liebsch 17 seconds back in second, Roger Anderson just 4 seconds later this third. Results linked in, photos and video recap from the 10K races posted.

Price Hike: American Birkebeiner Events

October 22, 2025

Still haven't registered for the Birkie week events? Register by Thursday night, Oct 23rd, to avoid the final price hike!

Croix Cross Coverage

October 18, 2025

The Minnesota cyclocross action was in full swing Saturday, crossing the border to race in Hudson. Photographer Shannon Brault covered the morning races, providing highlights from the C race and Juniors race.

US Ski Team: Announcing The 2025-2026 Cross-Country Team

October 14, 2025

Heading into a season featuring the Winter Olympics in February and another bout of stateside World Cup racing in March, U.S. Ski & Snowboard on Tuesday named their roster of 21 athletes for the 2025-26 international racing season. Chief among those nominated was Jessie Diggins who has proudly represented the Midwest through three Olympics Games and 14 season on the World Cup circuit. A number of Midwesterners will also be assisting the team in coaching and service positions including Kristen Bourn, Eli Brown, Paul Choudoir, and Chris Hecker.

College of St. Scholastica Nordic Ski Team Week of Giving

October 8, 2025

This week is the College of St. Scholastica's annual Athletics Week of Giving, and with only a few days remaining the Nordic ski team is hoping to find a few more donors to help them reach their goal. Funds raised from this year's drive will go towards their biggest acquisition to-date: a rollerski treadmill, so if you have the means consider supporting the team with a donation—any amount is appreciated!

Vasaloppet Swedish Mile this Saturday, Oct 11th

October 6, 2025

Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly activities and help raise money for the Vasaloppet's snow-making operation at their annual Swedish Mile Trail Race, happening this Saturday. Fun for families and kids of all ages, come out and run or walk one of the 10K, 5K, or kids races, and explore the Vasaloppet trails in the colors of fall!

Twin Cities Marathon Coverage

October 5, 2025

Between the TC 10 Mile and Twin Cities Marathon, over 15,000 runners endured unusually warm conditions for the big races on Sunday morning. The mens marathon came down to a battle of two with Will Norris pulling away from Tesfu Tewelde for the victory. Jane Bareikis took the women's title by nearly four minutes. Legendary ultradistance runner Courtney Dauwalter returned to her home state to finish 7th! TC 10 mile winners were Yemane Haileselassi and Mercy Chelangat. Shannon Brault shares some photos from the busy morning.

American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation: Introducing the Junior Development Community Match

October 2, 2025

With the Junior Nationals Ski Championship arriving at Mt. Telemark Village this coming March, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is kicking off a fundraising campaign to help fund the completion of permanent infrastructure that will support the event and future experiences.

Team Birkie: From Summer into Fall

September 24, 2025

From racing overseas in Norway's largest rollerski race, to racing along the North Shore in the largest inline skating marathon in North America, Team Birkie has been busy this summer. Tune in to their lastest newsletter to get the full rundown on what the team has been up to over the past few months, and a reminder to all the golfers out there: the inaugural Team Birkie Golf Classic is this Sunday!

Bangin in the Brush Results

September 20, 2025

The 2025 Bangin in the Brush 10K trail running race at Korkki Nordic was held Saturday. Andrew Hollatz claimed the overall victory in 48:42, finishing nearly a minute ahead of the next competitor. Sarah Nelson was the top female, crossing the line in 57:55 to secure her win.

Lake Placid World Cup Finals Tickets on Sale Now

September 19, 2025

Two seasons after the World Cup circuit touched down stateside in the Twin Cities the competition will again be coming to the States, this time for World Cup Finals in Lake Placid, New York. Scheduled for March 20th through 22nd, secure your ticket today to see all the action live!

Spotlight: Wirth on Wednesday MTB Series

August 22, 2025

Shannon Brault was out this week, catching the action at the Wirth on Wednesday MTB Series at the Trailhead. The weekly series features a number of races covering a wide range of abilities and ages.

Summer Cooldown Rollerski Results

August 17, 2025

Pioneer Midwest hosted their Summer Cooldown 10K Rollerski race at Lake Rebecca on Sunday morning. Matt Liebsch came out on top of the men's field, a full two minutes ahead, with Brian Gregg and Anders Decker tied for second and third. Caitlin Gregg bested the women's field with Eleanor Mody and Meredith Gundale rounding out the podium. Full results posted.

NNF: Trail to Gold Applications Due Sept 1st

August 16, 2025

With another World Cup season rapidly approaching, and an Olympic year to boot, applications are now being accepted for the National Nordic Foundation's Trail to Gold coaching grant. Open through September 1st, applicants are welcome from any level of US skiing, with nominees set to be announced in October.

Pioneer Midwest: Summer Cool Down Rollerski Race this Sunday

August 13, 2025

Pioneer Midwest is hosting a 10K rollerski race at Lake Rebecca regional park this Sunday, August 17th. The event is freestyle technique, interval start with matched pair IDT rollerskis provided. Discount for high school and collegiate skiers.

Midwest MTB Report

July 2, 2025

A midsummer Midwest MTB Report from Jay Richards brings updates from some of the biggest events of the season, the Lutsen 99er and Epic Bike Fest. Catch up on all the action with secondhand recaps from both, and more with a couple bonus mountain bike pieces rounding it all out.

Team Birkie Announces Expanded 2025-26 World and Continental Teams

June 18, 2025

Team Birkie's 2025-26 rosters boast expanded World and Continental Teams with several new athletes. The World Team retains Alayna Sonnesyn, Zak Ketterson, and Kevin Bolger, and welcomes back Paul Schommer and promotes rising star Luci Anderson, all eyeing the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics. Checkout the full roster, deep with Upper Midwest ties.

Midwest MTB Report

May 21, 2025

Hot off the press Jay Richards has the second Midwest MTB Report of the season ready to go and it's packed with events—past, present, and upcoming. Read on for updates on series racing on either side of the Mississippi, as well as a host of events to put on your radar for this summer.

Biathlon: U.S. National Team Named for 2025 Season

May 6, 2025

The US Biathlon Association unveiled the roster for Senior National Team and National Development Group for the 2025-2026 season on Tuesday, and among the 21 athletes nominated 8 were from the Midwest: Jake Brown, Deedra Irwin, Paul Schommer, Luci Anderson, Vaclac Cervenka, and Margie Freed on the National Team, and Cheresa Bouley and Luke Brown with the Development Group.

Snake River Canoe Race Results

May 4, 2025

Just catching the start of this week's heat wave, over 120 individuals competed in the Snake River Canoe Race on Saturday with temperatures reaching nearly 60F just north of Mora, MN. In the Pro Boat division the teams of Benjamin Menk/Jeremiah Menk (male), Josie Nelson/Kajsa Nelson (female), and Jim Harwood/Maria Schilling (mixed) tallied the top times, while the teams of Fred Kueffer/Brett Arenz (male), Karen Casper/Kerry Bogenrief (female), and Katie Schaaf/Greg Zophy (mixed) were the first to finish in the Open Racing division. The full results, including additional division winners, are linked in below.

2024-25 Season Highlights

May 1, 2025

Catch highlights plus full results and photos from the 2023-2024 collegiate racing season.

2024-25 Season Highlights

May 1, 2025

Catch highlights plus full results and photos from the 2024-2025 high school racing season.

Midwest MTB Report

May 1, 2025

With spring sprung the mountain bike season is on across the Midwest! Returning to report on all things mountain bike related, Jay Richards kicks off the 2025 season with a summary of the schedule ahead, plus a few related items to boot. Dive in the first Midwest MTB Report of the season and get those wheels moving!