LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Nanooks Nordic skiing officially begins its 2026 season in Lake Placid for the RMISA Invitational and RMISA Nordic Qualifier. The 10k Classic on Sunday, Jan. 4, and classic sprints on Friday, Jan. 9, are a part of the RMISA Invitational, while the 20k freestyle on Thursday, Jan. 8, serves as an RMISA Nordic Qualifier and will not count towards the RMISA Invitational standings.
Sunday, Jan. 4
at RMISA Invitational | 10K Classic Individual Start | 6 a.m. AKST Women | 9 a.m. AKST Men
Lake Placid, N.Y. | Mt. Van Hoevenberg
Thursday, Jan. 8
at RMISA Nordic Qualifier | 20K Freestyle Mass Start | 6 a.m. AKST Women | 7:45 a.m. AKST Men
Lake Placid, N.Y. | Mt. Van Hoevenberg
Friday, Jan. 9
at RMISA Invitational | Classic Sprints | 6 a.m. AKST Men | 7 a.m. AKST Women
Lake Placid, N.Y. | Mt. Van Hoevenberg
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. However, Williams will not race for the Nanooks as she will be skiing for Great Britain on the international stage.
New Faces
The Nanooks have six newcomers to this year's roster, with one on the men's side and five 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, Piper Sears, a freshman out of Anchorage, Alaska and Anya Simard, a freshman out of Fairbanks, 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. He is joined by Max Beiergrohslein, who takes over as the Nanooks new assistant coach. Beiergrohslein was a member of the Nanooks Nordic skiing team from 2020 to 2024 and team captain from 2023 to 2024.
What's to Come
The 'Nooks are back on Jan. 24-25 at the Utah Invitational in Midway, Utah. They compete in a 7.5k Freestyle Individual Start on day one and a 15k Classic Mass Start on day two.
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