Midwest Juniors Take On the World

Every season, an elite group of juniors from the United States is selected to compete in international competition, usually taking place in late January or early February.   Much of the selection process is based on results from the US Nationals competition in early January.  The National Nordic Foundation (NNF) provides a majority of the funding for the US competitors, which is made possible through donations and fundraisers.

This year eight Midwest skiers earned their ticket to compete in either the U23/World Junior Championships or the Junior Nordic Competition.   Here's a breakdown on those events and the Midwest skiers who will be represented the US...

Jan 29 - Feb 3 FIS U23/World Junior Championships - Tereso, Italy (Val di Fiemme)

The pinnacle of junior competition, the World Junior Championships and U23 World Championships represent the highest honor for young, aspiring Nordic skiers.  The World Junior Championships are generally composed of skiers under the age of 20, while the U23 competition is for skiers under the age of 23.  This year the incredibly scenic and historic Val di Fiemme is playing host to the championships.  Val di Fiemme is a valley in the mountainous Trentino province of northern Italy.  It has hosted numerous World Cup and even World Championship events, as well as the annual Marcialonga Worldloppet ski race.  Val di Fiemme is 7 hours ahead (CET timezone) of Central standard time.

• Midwest skiers
• Ben Saxton (U23)
• Jessie Diggins (U23) [planning to compete in sprints only]
• Anne Hart (U23)
• Rosie Frankowski (U23)
• Adam Martin (WJC)
• Nichole Bathe (WJC)
• Events (times in CST)
• Jan 29 Sprints Freestyle - 3 am qualifying, 5 am finals
• Jan 30 U23 Classical 10K/15K - 3 am women, 4:30 am men
• Jan 31 WJC Skiathlon 10K/20K - 3 am women, 4:30 am men
• Feb 1 U23 Skiathlon 15K/30K - 3 am women, 4:30 am men
• Feb 2 WJC Classical 5K/10K - 3 am women, 4:30 am men
• Feb 3 WJC Relay 4x3K/4x5K - 3 am women, 4:30 am men
• Official website
• Facebook
• Webcams
• Results

Jan 31-Feb 2 Junior Nordic Competition (U18) - Rovaniemi, Finland (Ounasvaara)

Formerly known as the Scandinavia Cup (or Scando Cup, or J1 Trip), this event primarily features skiers under the age of 18 (U18) from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Iceland.  In addition to cross-country skiing races, there are ski jumping and Nordic combined events.  The 2014 Junior Nordic Competition is being held in Rovaniemi, Finland, which is located in northern Finland (capital of Lapland), just less than 10 miles south of the Arctic Circle.  Rovaniemi is 8 hours ahead (EET timezone) of Central standard time.  Ounasvaara is the ski area where the competition will be held, and is located just a few miles to the east of downtown Rovaniemi.

• Midwest skiers
• Mattie Watts
• Vivian Hett
• Events (times in CST)
• Rescheduled to Feb 2 Jan 31 Sprints Freestyle (evening) - 8 am qualifying, 9:30 am finals
• Feb 1 Classical 5K/10K - 2:30 am
• Cancelled Feb 2 Team Relay 3x3K/3x5K (classical/freestyle) - 2 am women, 3:30 am men
• Official website
• Facebook
• Webcams
• Results