Scott Patterson
At age 30, Scott Patterson has finally been named to the A Team of the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team for 2022-2023.
However, that promotion doesn’t change much for the workhorse two-time Olympian and South Anchorage High School graduate.
“I was honestly expecting it to feel a little more different,” Patterson said by email. “Instead, it has had very similar levels of support ever since the B Team was shifted (to a funded squad). … However, being on the A Team does provide some confirmation of status that I appreciate.”
Rosie Brennan
Patterson and Rosie Brennan, both members of the Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center, headline nine Alaskans named to the 22-member U.S. Ski Team that was announced last week. Seven are members of APU.
“APU has built a strong club that has allowed Alaskans to continue to be amongst the best in the country and world,” Brennan said in an email. “We have a culture that emphasizes consistent, high volume training, and strong teammates to enjoy the journey with and that allows many people the opportunity to see what’s possible and raise their levels.”
J.C. Schoonmaker retained his spot on the A Team for a second-straight season after a breakout year that qualified the California native for the 2022 Olympics, where he placed 15th in the sprint. While he is no longer skiing for the University of Alaska Anchorage, Schoonmaker is currently training in Anchorage before heading to Europe in November, UAA coach Trond Flagstad said.
Gus Schumacher
The B Team includes Gus Schumacher of Alaska Winter Stars and Hailey Swirbul, Luke Jager and Hunter Wonders of APU.
Schumacher, now 22 and coming off a disappointing season and Olympics, and Swirbul were dropped down from their A Team membership of a year ago. Jager, a 2022 Olympic and West Anchorage High School graduate, and Wonders were both promoted from the Development Team.
Luke Jager
Rounding out the Alaskans are Zanden McMullen, back on the D Team for a second straight season, and Michael Earnhart, a new member of the D Team after posting strong results at the 2022 Junior World Championships.
Other changes include the retirements of Olympic sprinters Logan Hanneman and Hannah Halvorsen and APU’s Becca Rorabaugh and Forrest Mahlen. Caitlin Patterson, an Olympian who competed for a club in Vermont but graduated from South Anchorage High School, also has hung up her competitive skis.
Scott Patterson and David Norris in action during January’s SuperTour. Photo by Tobias Albrigtsen
David Norris, long with APU and one of the nation’s top distance skiers, has relocated to Colorado and began coaching with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club in September. Norris, who spent much of the summer recovering from a foot injury, plans to focus on domestic ski racing this upcoming season.
“I’ll target (U.S.) nationals, the Birkie (American Birkebeiner), Boulder Mountain Tour and Tour of Anchorage. And Spring Nationals,” Norris said.
Hailey Swirbul
APU Olympian Rosie Frankowski has also moved to the Lower 48 and is scaling back her international racing schedule.
The top remaining Alaskans without U.S. Ski Team affiliation are Anchorage’s Thomas O’Harra and Tyler Kornfield. Kornfield, a 2018 Olympian, will compete in Italy this season for Team Robinson Trentino on the Visma Ski Classics circuit, said his partner Brennan.
The U.S. coaching squad continues to include three former Alaskans: Cross Country Program Director Chris Grover, World Cup Coach Jason Cork and Development Team Coach Greta Anderson.
The upcoming season, the first to incorporate equal-distance racing for men and women, begins November 25 in Ruka, Finland.
Hunter Wonders
“My big goals for this season are mostly later in the year in February at World Championships in Planica, Slovenia and in early March at the Holmenkollen 50k World Cup race in Oslo (Norway),” said Patterson, who tends to peak for major events as evidenced by his 8th-place finish at the 50K in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Zanden McMullen
The 34-year-old Brennan, a native of Utah and longtime member of APU, will no doubt be chasing medals at the 2023 World Championships. She finished fourth in the sprint, fifth in the team sprint with star Jessie Diggins and sixth in the 30K freestyle at the Beijing Olympics.
Brennan has proven herself among the world’s best skiers. With the retirement of Norwegian legend Therese Johaug and the continued exclusion of the Russian team due to its war in Ukraine, more podium spots will be up for grabs this winter.
“There are a lot of new variables this season with more races, a new points system, and equal-distance racing which makes it both exciting and challenging as I don’t totally know what I’m getting into,” said Brennan, who will base out of Italy with Kornfield this season. “New challenges are fun so I am looking forward to getting things going.”
Michael Earnhart
Meanwhile, the local Nordic skiing season got off to a great start this past weekend on groomed trails at Hatcher Pass near Palmer.
“Independence Mine was fantastic,” Patterson said. “While I wasn’t enjoying the Thursday evening rain in Anchorage, the 18 inches of snow it brought to Hatcher Pass made for some great early season skiing. Mat-Su Ski Club put in some lovely grooming and tracks for a couple fantastic days. The sun even cooperated!”