FAIRBANKS - The Nanooks Nordic skiing team has announced the signing of Gabe Black for the 2026-27 season. Black joins the Nanooks from Colony High School in Palmer, Alaska, while also skiing for MatSu Ski Team.

"We are very excited to be bolstering our squad with another talented young Alaskan skier!" said interim head coach Ben Buck. "Gabe had a breakout season this year, earning his first starts in the U.S. suit in Europe at the Scandinavian Cup, and earning All-American honors at Junior Nationals. He is a hard worker and an all-around great kid, and I can't wait to get to work with him."

Black notched a podium finish in the 7.5k classic in the Besh Cup 5 & 6 races on Feb. 2, 2025, placing second, and followed that up with a 22nd-place result in the 10k freestyle at the 2025 National Junior Championships in Midway, Utah. At the U.S. Nationals this past January in Lake Placid, N.Y., Black finished 38th in the 10k freestyle and recorded two top-10 finishes at the SPAR Norgescup in Trondheim, Norway. He placed seventh in the 7.5k classic on Jan. 30, 2026, and ninth in the 10k freestyle on Feb. 1, 2026. Black then added another pair of top-10 results at the 2026 National Junior Championships in March, posting a ninth-place finish in the 7.5k freestyle and a fourth-place finish in the 5k classic.

Black is the second announced addition for the 2026-27 Nanooks Nordic skiing team. Further announcements will follow throughout the coming months.

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