U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced a roster of eight women and eight men for the cross-country skiing events at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The team, led by Jessie Diggins in her final Games, includes several returning Olympians and first-timers, with strong representation from Alaska. The athletes will compete in Val di Fiemme, Italy, from February 6 to 22.
On January 22, 2026, U.S. Ski & Snowboard revealed its cross-country ski team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, selecting eight women and eight men to represent the United States. This brings the total nominations across all disciplines to 97 athletes, with formal Team USA designation set for January 26.
The women's roster features Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN), the most decorated U.S. cross-country skier with three Olympic medals, competing in her fourth and final Games. Returning Olympians include Rosie Brennan (Anchorage, AK), Julia Kern (Waltham, MA), Novie McCabe (Winthrop, WA), and Hailey Swirbul (El Jebel, CO). First-time Olympians are Lauren Jortberg (Boulder, CO), Kendall Kramer (Fairbanks, AK), and Samantha “Sammy” Smith (Boise, ID).
The men's team includes veterans Ben Ogden (Burlington, VT), JC Schoonmaker (Lake Tahoe, CA), and Gus Schumacher (Anchorage, AK) from the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Debutants are John Steel Hagenbuch (Ketchum, ID), Zak Ketterson (Minneapolis, MN), Zanden McMullen (Anchorage, AK), Hunter Wonders (Anchorage, AK), and Jack Young (Jay, VT).
Alaska boasts eight selections—half the team—with four from the APU Nordic Ski Center Elite Team on each side. Brennan, at 37, heads to her third Olympics after overcoming health challenges, while Schumacher and Schoonmaker return with World Cup podiums. Kramer, a former NCAA champion, and others like McMullen and Wonders mark their Olympic debuts.
Chris Grover, program director, highlighted recent momentum: “Our season started slowly, but we’ve built some important momentum in the last few weeks. 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.”
The men's quota rose from seven to eight after another nation declined a spot. Competitions occur in Val di Fiemme, a veteran World Cup venue last hosting Olympics in 2006. Events include skiathlons, sprints, relays, and mass starts, starting February 7 with the women's 20 km skiathlon.
Brennan shared her emotions on Instagram: “Making up (one-half) of the squad makes me so proud... It’s been a battle to stay afloat and to keep the faith the last 2 years.” Schumacher added: “I’m going back to the Olympics! ... Job’s not finished though!”
The U.S. support staff is the largest ever, with advances in equipment preparation. Eight Alaskans overall join Team USA across sports, underscoring the state's nordic prowess.
