How to Support the Sport You Love

by Deb Diggins
October 31, 2016

Cross Country skiing is on the rise. From increasing Youth Ski League memberships, to increasing numbers of skiers earning the opportunity to represent the USA in international competition, the many passionate fans of Cross Country skiing have a lot to cheer about.

Here in the Midwest, we have a great tradition of stepping up to support our skiers. Our hundreds of volunteer coaches and generous financial support of ski programs create opportunities for all skiers, tiny tots to World Champions, to learn the value of determination and pursuit of excellence.

Those lessons are now paying off in global podiums. The USA has moved up from 15th in the world in 2010 to 7th in 2015 (combined men and women). Recent World Cup and World Championship podiums are inspiring ever higher goals, including realistic medal opportunities at the 2017 World Championships and 2018 Olympics.

(Photo: USSA)

Yet the USA is the only team racing internationally that receives no federal funding. Our skiers represent the USA while relying entirely on fan support to cover the costs associated with an internationally competitive program. Our Cross Country program budget falls woefully short of our competitors: #1 ranked Norway has a budget of $11 million; #2 Russia has $10 million. The USA budget is $760,000.

If you enjoy Cross Country skiing and the culture of this sport, are inspired by the trajectory of increasing success that the US skiers are developing, and would like to be a part of that momentum, here are some concrete opportunities to support the continued rise of Cross Country skiing in the USA:

  1. For $15 you can become a member of the US Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA). This umbrella organization for Alpine, Cross Country and Snowboard racers raises most of the funds that make up the team budget. When you sign up at https://my.ussa.org/membership/start and select Cross Country as the sport you are interested in, you will not only receive email updates on team news, you will be adding to the growing base of members who affiliate with Cross Country. These numbers inform USSA funding decisions! So make sure the USSA knows that you care about Cross Country and support our team.
  2. For $25 you can join the National Nordic Foundation’s Drive for 25 campaign. This nonprofit organization has roots right here in Minnesota. It is a critically important support system to assist rising junior athletes who are beginning to bear the expenses of international competition without access to national budget support. The NNF also helps cover the expenses of unsupported athletes competing internationally on the World Cup and at World Championships. Make your tax-deductible donation at https://nationalnordicfoundation.org (note: Minnesota and Wisconsin are perennially two of the states with the highest donation rates in the country!)
  3. If you have $2,500 to contribute (2,200 is tax deductible) and love to try out Cross Country venues around the country, the USSA’s Crystal Pass is for you. This donation level comes with a transferable pass that gets you in to a variety of ski areas, and all proceeds go directly to the Cross Country program. For more information, check out http://foundation.ussa.org/foundation/marolt-athlete-endowment
  4. If you or your business would like to step up in a larger way to help the USA bridge the enormous funding gap between our resources and that of our competitors, there is a restricted giving campaign with a matching grant in place to create that bridge. All proceeds go directly to the campaign to complete initiatives identified by the US team coaches as critical to improve our opportunity for international success, such as a wax truck for the World Cup (the US is now the only nation in the top 9 that does not use a wax truck) and additional waxing staff. There are incentives starting at the $1,000 donation level. If you would like to attend an informational meeting on the campaign coming up soon (early November), or would simply like more information, contact Deb Diggins at [email protected].

Finally, Midwesterners, keep doing what you are doing. Your love of this sport and generous spirit in sharing your time and resources to grow and support skiing have created a wonderful place to call home for Cross Country skiers of all ages and development levels. Thank you.