FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks Nordic ski team announced the addition of Jennie Bender to the staff. She will take over as the assistant coach as Eliska Albrigsten acts as the head coach for the 2019-20 season.

Bender, who was born and raised in Vermont, has been a part of cross country ski racing all her life. While she grew up on the East Coast, racing took Bender around the country as she raced professionally in Minneapolis, Minn. for three years and Bozeman, Mont. for six years.

Prior to turning professional, Bender completed her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Vermont in 2010. As an athlete, Jennie raced for the U.S. Biatholon Development Team in Lake Placid, New York from 2017-18. Before that, she was with the Bridger Ski Foundation Elite Team in Bozeman, Mont., and prior to Mont., she was a member of the Central Cross Country Elite Team in Hayward, Wis.

"Since retiring in 2018 as a seasoned professional Nordic ski racer and newfound biathlete, I've indulged my instinct to coach others. While racing 20+ Nordic World Cups and being a potential candidate for two Olympics, I have coached countless high school and masters clinics, private lessons, and enjoyed mentoring athletes. With my professional racing background, paired with the experience from my time as an NCAA college athlete back in 2010 at UVM, I feel confident leading students through the journey of being a student-athlete at the collegiate, national, and international level." Bender had this to say about her journey from athlete to coach.

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks Nordic ski team, follow @AlaskaNanooksXC on Twitter, or like the Alaska Nanooks XC team page on Facebook.