U.S. Names Eight Women and Eight Men to 2026 Olympic Cross-Country Team

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced its Olympic cross-country ski team for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, naming eight women and eight men to represent the United States in Val di Fiemme, Italy, from Feb. 6–22, 2026.

While the women were allocated eight Olympic starting positions outright, the men’s team was originally allotted seven. That number increased to eight after another nation declined to use one of its quota spots, allowing the United States to fill the vacancy and send a full men’s roster.

The announcement is part of a broader U.S. Ski & Snowboard nomination of 97 athletes across all disciplines. The athletes will be formally named to Team USA on Jan. 26.

Gus Schumacher races the third leg of the men’s 4 x 10 k relay during the 2022 Olympics. (Photo: NordicFocus)

Veteran Core, First-Time Olympians

The women’s team is led by Jessie Diggins, who will compete in her fourth and final Olympic Games as the most decorated American cross-country skier in history. She is joined by returning Olympians Rosie Brennan, Julia Kern, Novie McCabe, and Hailey Swirbul, alongside first-time Olympians Lauren Jortberg, Kendall Kramer, and Samantha “Sammy” Smith.

On the men’s side, Olympic veterans Ben Ogden, JC Schoonmaker, and Gus Schumacher return after competing in Beijing in 2022. They are joined by first-time Olympians John Steel Hagenbuch, Zak Ketterson, Zanden McMullen, Hunter Wonders, and Jack Young.

Grover: “We’ll Be Medal Threats”

Chris Grover, Program Director of the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team, emphasized the team’s late-season momentum and growing confidence heading into the Games.

“Our season started slowly, but we’ve built some important momentum in the last few weeks,” Grover said. “We have some athletes who are at the pinnacle of their craft, winning World Cups and showing everyone what is possible for USA cross country. We’ll be medal threats in some key Olympic events.”

Grover also highlighted the size and scope of the U.S. support operation, calling it the largest and most experienced staff the program has ever brought to an Olympic Games, with major advances in ski service and equipment preparation.

Olympic cross-country skiing will take place in Val di Fiemme, a long-established championship venue that last hosted Olympic events in 2006 and is a frequent stop on the World Cup circuit.

2026 U.S. Olympic Cross-Country Ski Team

Women

Rosie Brennan (Anchorage, AK)
Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN)
Lauren Jortberg (Boulder, CO)
Kendall Kramer (Fairbanks, AK)
Julia Kern (Waltham, MA)
Novie McCabe (Winthrop, WA)
Samantha “Sammy” Smith (Boise, ID)
Hailey Swirbul (El Jebel, CO)

Men

John Steel Hagenbuch (Ketchum, ID)
Zak Ketterson (Minneapolis, MN)
Zanden McMullen (Anchorage, AK)
Ben Ogden (Burlington, VT)
JC Schoonmaker (Lake Tahoe, CA)
Gus Schumacher (Anchorage, AK)
Hunter Wonders (Anchorage, AK)
Jack Young (Jay, VT)

Ben Ogden races his first distance event of the 2022 Olympics, the 15 k individual start classic. (Photo: NordicFocus)

2026 Winter Olympics Cross-Country Skiing Schedule

Val di Fiemme — Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium (Fabio Canal Center)

Below is the Olympic cross-country ski competition schedule for Milano Cortina 2026 (all events subject to change; times local to Italy):

Saturday, February 7
• Women’s 20 km Skiathlon (Classic + Free) – 13:00

Sunday, February 8
• Men’s 20 km Skiathlon (Classic + Free) – 12:30

Tuesday, February 10
• Sprint Classic — Qualification & Finals (Women & Men) – starting 09:15 / 11:45

Thursday, February 12
• Women’s 10 km Free – 13:00

Friday, February 13
• Men’s 10 km Free – 11:45

Saturday, February 14
• Women’s 4 × 7.5 km Relay – 12:00

Sunday, February 15
• Men’s 4 × 7.5 km Relay – 12:00

Wednesday, February 18
• Team Sprint Free (Women & Men) – Qualification & Finals – from 09:45 / 11:45

Saturday, February 21
• Men’s 50 km Mass Start Classic – 11:00

Sunday, February 22
• Women’s 50 km Mass Start Classic – 10:00

Help Support Our Olympic Coverage!

FasterSkier will have our own Nat Herz on the ground at the Olympics, which, to be honest, is a very big financial lift for us. If you value the thoughtful work and access FasterSkier provides at championships like this one, please consider becoming a Voluntary Subscriber. Your support directly fuels the work we do to cover the people, places, and moments that make our sport special.