FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MNSA Banquet on April 12 Honors Cichanowski and Stefferud

Please join the Minnesota Nordic Ski Association (MNSA) in honoring Amy Cichanowski and Arne Stefferud as the 2026 Minnesota Nordic Skiing Lifetime Achievement Award recipients at the Minnesota Nordic Skiing Achievement Awards banquet on Sunday, April 12, at the Mora Vasaloppet Nordic Center. This banquet is free and open to the public. It begins at 1:00 p.m. with a social hour and refreshments. At 2:00 p.m. Chris Hecker, Wax Technician with US Ski and Snowboard, will present the keynote speech, followed by award presentations.

In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Awards given to Cichanowski and Stefferud for significant contribution over many years to the advancement of cross country skiing in the state of Minnesota, MNSA will be recognizing Nordic skiers in the following categories: Minnesota Master Skiers (Liz Holliday and Dave Christopherson) and Minnesota Based Biathlon High Achievement (Irina Viskovatykn and Paavo Rova ). In a new award category this year, Charlotte Czarneck and Brent Nesser will be recognized as Visually Impaired Skiers. The final awards category is the Minnesota Community Ski Organization Award, presented to a ski organization that has made significant contributions to enhance Minnesota Nordic skiing. This year’s award goes to the Itascatur Outdoor Activity Club (Park Rapids).

In 2005 Amy Cichanowski became the Executive Director of the Minnesota Youth Ski League (MYSL). Over the past 21 years Amy’s leadership of MYSL has grown the league membership to over 3500 youth skiers in 60 ski clubs and has added multiple new ski programs. Amy has moved the Minnesota ski community forward for her entire life as a racer, coach, and race organizer.

Arne joined the North Star Ski Touring Club in 1976 and is currently the president of the club. He has been the club's Government Liaison since 1989. He has also led many North Star ski tour trips over the years. Arne represents cross country ski interests on the Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Association (MRTUA) advisory committee. This committee reviews funding requests for both non-motorized and motorized trail projects financed through a federal gas tax program and has a significant impact on cross country skiing in Minnesota.

This awards banquet will also celebrate MNSA's 25 years of service to the Minnesota Nordic ski community.

The awards ceremony will be held Sunday, April 12 at:

Mora Vasaloppet Nordic Center

401 Nordic Center Drive

Mora, MN 55051

The schedule is:

1:00 p.m. - Social Hour with refreshments

2:00 p.m. - Keynote Speech by Chris Hecker, US Ski Team Wax Technician, followed by awards presentations.

The public is invited to attend the free banquet.

Award winners are noted below:

2026 Minnesota Nordic Skiing Lifetime Achievement Award

Amy Cichanowski

Arne Stefferud

2026 Minnesota Based Biathlon High Achievers

Irma Viskovatykh

Paavo Rova

2026 Minnesota Master Skiers

Liz Holliday

Dave Chistopherson

2026 Visually Impaired Skiers

Brent Nesser

Charlotte Czarnecki

2026 Minnesota Community Ski Organization Award

Itasca Tour Outdoor Activity Club, Park Rapids area

MNSA - P.O. Box 8114 • St. Paul, MN 55108 • www.mnnordicski.org