ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Nanooks Nordic skiing team officially begin its 2025-26 season this weekend with the Nordic Cup in Anchorage. The weekend will feature a 10k freestyle on Saturday and 7.5k classic on Sunday, with both races being individual starts vs. the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.
Saturday, Nov. 22
at Nordic Cup | 10k Freestyle Individual Start | 11:00 a.m.
Anchorage, Alaska | Kincaid Park
Sunday, Nov. 23
at Nordic Cup | 7.5k Classic Individual Start | 10:00 a.m.
Anchorage, Alaska | Kincaid Park
2024-25 Recap
The 'Nooks had a season to remember in 2024-25, recording five race wins, 11 podium finishes, five All-American finishes and an individual national champion. The men's Nordic skiing team's 2025 season was one of steady improvement, culminating in an RMISA individual champion and three All-American finishes at the NCAA Championships. Ben Dohlby and Philipp Moosmayer both collected wins during the season, with Dohlby securing the top spot in the 10k freestyle at the UAF Invite with a 23:05.8 and Moosmayer winning the 20k freestyle at the RMISA Championships with a 51:00.1. The 'Nooks would tie for first in the men's standings with 157 points at the conference championships. At the NCAA Championships, Moosmayer's seventh and ninth-place finishes in the 7.5k classic and 20k freestyle gave him two All-American results. Meanwhile, Dohlby secured a spot on the All-American First Team by finishing fourth in the 20k freestyle, and the Nanook men placed sixth in the Nordic standings with 92 points.
On the women's side, the season was highlighted by Kendall Kramer's individual national championship in the 20k freestyle at the NCAA Championships. Additionally, Tabitha Williams stepped up for the Nanooks en route to an All-RMISA selection. During the U.S. Nationals in Anchorage, Kramer got her first win in the 20k classic, posting a 58:17.2. She earned her second win at the UAF Invite, finishing first in the 10k freestyle to give the Nanooks a win on both the men's and women's side in the race. Kramer and Williams were the two Nanook women to represent Alaska at the NCAA Championships, where they competed in a 7.5k classic and 20k freestyle. In the classic, Kramer earned her fifth career All-American honor after finishing ninth in the race, while Williams notched a 19th-place result. Kramer followed that up by winning the 20k freestyle with time to spare, finishing 36 seconds in front of second place. The women placed sixth in the Nordic standings with 84 points at the championships.
Returning 'Nooks
The Nanooks have 11 skiers returning to the squad, with eight on the men's side and three on the women's side. Josh Baurick, a senior from Fairbanks, Ben Dohlby, a junior from Pewaukee, Wis., Cole Flowers, a sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska, Blake Hanley, a sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska, Aidan Hay, a junior from North Vancouver, B.C., Philipp Moosmayer, a junior from Leutkirch, Germany, Matyas Pavek, a sophomore from Liberec, Czech Republic and Gabriele Rigaudo, a sophomore from Roccavione, Italy are all back for another season on the men's skiing roster. Lucca Duke, a sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska, Rosie Fordham, a redshirt senior from Sydney, Australia and Tabitha Williams, a junior from Canmore, Alta., return for the women's roster.
New Faces
The Nanooks welcome five newcomers to this year's roster, with one on the men's side and four on the women's. P.J. Bragonier, a freshman out of Fairbanks, is the lone newcomer for the men. Kolibri Drobish, a graduate student from Northern Michigan and Victoria Myers, a sophomore from Saint Scholastica, are the two transfers, while Õnnela Rodendau, a freshman from Aravete, Estonia and Piper Sears, a freshman out of Anchorage, Alaska, round out the list of newcomers.
Ben's at the Helm
Ben Buck was elevated to interim head coach prior to the skiing season after spending three seasons as an assistant coach for the Nanooks. While with the Nanooks, he has helped them record 15 All-American finishes at the NCAA Championships, including seven in his first season in 2022-23. He takes over from previous head coach Eliska Albrigtsen, who spent six seasons in charge of the 'Nooks Nordic skiing programs.
What's to Come
Alaska kicks off its RMISA season after the new year at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, N.Y., for the RMISA Invitational. They will race a 10k classic on Jan. 4 and a classic sprint on Jan. 9. They will also compete in a 20k freestyle at the RMISA Nordic Qualifier on Jan. 7.
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