On Monday, the U.S. Ski Team (USST) announced its much-anticipated cross country selections for the 2015 FIS Nordic World Championships. Headlining the large team of 16 athletes are Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins, the defending 2013 World Champions in the freestyle team sprint. Eight skiers prequalified before Monday’s announcement with eight more added after further selection criteria were taken into account.
The 2015 team demonstrates a mix of 12 previous World Championships competitors and four newcomers, the youngest of which is Northern Michigan University senior Kyle Bratrud.
See the full team roster below. (Stay tuned for a follow-up story.)
2015 U.S. World Championship Cross Country Team
(Name, Hometown, Birthdate, USSA Club, Past Championships)
Men
- Dakota Blackhorse-von Jess, Bend, OR, 3/18/86, Bend Endurance Academy
- Kyle Bratrud, Eden Prairie, MN, 2/9/93, Northern Michigan University Ski Team
- Erik Bjornsen, Winthrop, WA, 7/14/91, Alaska Pacific University Nordic (2013)
- Matt Gelso, Truckee, CA, 7/18/88, Sun Valley Ski Education Founation Olympic Development Team
- Simi Hamilton, Aspen, CO, 5/14/87, Stratton Mountain School/T2 (2011)
- Noah Hoffman, Aspen, CO, 8/1/89, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (2011, 2013)
- Kris Freeman, Andover, NH, 10/14/80, Freebird XC, (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013)
- Andy Newell, Shaftsbury, VT, 11/30/83, Stratton Mountain School/T2 (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013)
Women
- Rosie Brennan, Park City, UT, 12/2/88, Alaska Pacific University Nordic
- Sadie Bjornsen, Winthrop WA, 11/21/89, Alaska Pacific University Nordic (2011, 2013)
- Sophie Caldwell, Peru, VT, 3/22/90, Stratton Mountain School/T2 (2013)
- Jessie Diggins, Afton MN, 8/26/91, Stratton Mountain School/T2 (2011, 2013)
- Caitlin Gregg, Minneapolis, 11/7/80, Team Gregg (2009)
- Kikkan Randall, Anchorage, 12/31/82 Alaska Pacific University Nordic (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013)
- Ida Sargent, Orleans, VT, 1/25/88, Craftsbury Green Racing Project (2011, 2013)
- Liz Stephen, East Montpelier, VT, 1/12/87, Burke Mountain Academy (2009, 2011, 2013)
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
FIS Nordic Ski World Championships Falun, Sweden
Feb. 18 – Opening Ceremony
Feb. 19 – Classic Sprint
Feb. 21 – Skiathlon
Feb. 22 – Freestyle Team Sprints
Feb. 24 – Women’s 10 k Freestyle
Feb. 25 – Men’s 15 k Freestyle
Feb. 27 – Women’s 4×5 k and Men’s 4×10 k Relays
Feb. 28 – 30 k Women’s Classic Mass Start
Mar. 1 – 50 k Men’s Classic Mass Start
