Northern Michigan Univerisity

The Secret Weapon Is Fun: Inside Kristen Bourne’s Collaborative Coaching on the U.S. Ski Team

Matthew VoisinNovember 11, 2025

When we spoke, Kristen Bourne was sitting on the couch in her living room in Truckee, California, a small ski town she now calls home. Tibetan prayer flags hung loosely behind her, shifting gently in the morning light that poured through the window. The room felt warm and calm — the kind of quiet space that comes from someone who spends much of her year on the move. Bourne smiled easily as she spoke, her...

Collegiate Feature News

CCSA Skiers Excited to Start Their Season This Weekend

FasterSkierJanuary 17, 2025

This article was made possible through the generous support of our voluntary subscribers. If you would like to see more collegiate coverage like this, please support FasterSkier with a voluntary subscription. By: Francesca Kitch The Central Collegiate Ski Association (CCSA) is composed of six competing schools spanning the Midwest. Each season there are four CCSA invites–weekends full of racing–and this year, these competitions are set to begin this Saturday. The first three US Nationals races...

Interviews News

Ian Torchia: An Early Retrospective as he Retires from Professional Skiing

Ben TheyerlMarch 10, 2022

Skiing-wise, Ian Torchia has nearly done it all. And now, in life, he’s ready to do some more. In an Instagram post following the American Birkiebeiner, Torchia announced that he is retiring from professional skiing with his trademark blend of gratitude and humor, saying, “In the end I won’t remember the races won (a few) or lost (many more) but the lifelong bonds of teammates, the support of friends and family, and how special the...

Job Postings News

Northern Michigan University Seeking Head Coach

FasterSkierApril 24, 2021

Northern Michigan University is seeking applications for a Head Coach for Nordic Skiing. The positions will direct, organize, coach and administer the men’s and women’s Nordic skiing program. Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. NCAA learning portal proficiency, or pass within one month of hire. Possess a current CPR certification or have the ability to obtain upon hire. Demonstrated successful Nordic skiing coaching experience as a head coach or...

Multimedia Nordic Nation Podcasts

Nordic Nation: The Recovery Episode with Tad Elliott

Jason AlbertNovember 2, 2018

Back in January 2016, Tad Elliott emerged back onto the national championship scene with a win in the men’s 30-kilometer freestyle mass start at U.S. Nationals in Houghton, Mich. It had been some time since the skier originally from Durango, Colorado had felt unleashed from the grips of the energy-sapping Epstein-Barr virus. Elliott went on to make the 2017 Nordic Ski World Championship team in Lahti, Finland. There, it was hard to miss his stunning...

Collegiate Health Interviews Racing

Kristen Bourne on Recovering from Mono and Making NCAAs

Gabby NaranjaMay 18, 2017

Two-and-half months into her summer training last year, Kristen Bourne woke up in a cold sweat. Her temperature read higher than normal and no amount of lozenges could soothe her sore throat. The Central Collegiate Ski Association (CSSA) Distance Championships and also qualified for NCAA Skiing Championships. There in Jackson, N.H., she finished 17th in the 5 k classic and was the top NMU woman in the 15 k freestyle mass start two days later, placing 13th and

Collegiate General Interviews News Racing US Ski Team

With ‘Bigger Target’ on His Back, Torchia Joins U.S. Ski Team, Sticks with NMU

Gabby NaranjaMay 10, 2016

After being nominated to the U.S. Ski Team D-team, Northern Michigan University junior Ian Torchia has decided to stay in school while simultaneously accepting the nod to the country's most-coveted training group. “One of the main reasons why I wanted this to happen is to show that you can do it while you’re in college,” Torchia explains.