Dear XC Skiing Community,

Soon after the August community update the cross-country season really went downhill*. Ongoing plus temperatures and rain saw the Australian Junior Championships join the ranks of cancelled events. Amazingly, the National Interschools XC races were successfully held up at Blue Cow, due to the efforts of the Snow Australia Interschools Team, the Perisher Resort, and the NSWACT community. Congratulations to all who took part and many thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.

Considering the experiences of 2023 and 2024, the XC National Discipline Committee plans to review the structure of the Australian racing calendar this spring. Some compromises may be necessary to accommodate an already full winter racing schedule into a shrinking season. Input into the calendar composition can be provided via any of the committee members, including the athlete representatives Phoebe Cridland and Adam Barnett.

On the topic of discipline committees, the Board of Snow Australia has recently undertaken a review of NDC roles, composition and governance. The outcomes of this review are available via the links in the article below. Snow Australia is also now calling for expressions of interest to join the NDCs across all disciplines. Interested persons should submit their applications by 1 October.

This update includes a provisional selection of athletes to the National Team for 2024/2025. The XC Selection Committee didn't have an easy task, unaided by the AUS Juniors cancellation and an effectively dysfunctional FIS point system, and had to apply discretion in some cases. The official teams will be confirmed towards the end of October, following reviews of individual performance plans and additional consideration by the committee.

The focus of the National Team now turns to preparation and planning for the northern hemisphere winter. It will be a big season, with athletes aiming to compete in World Cups from November to March as well as the World Championship in Trondheim (NOR), the World Junior/U23 Championship in Schlpario (ITA), and the World University Games in Pragelato (ITA). With the majority of athlete expenses for these events being met by the athletes and their families, any support is greatly appreciated. Tax-deductable donations can be made via the XC Towards 2026 project.

For now, all the best wishes to everyone for great spring adventures, including all the athletes, parents and coaches taking part in the NSWACT XC Charlotte Pass camp this week!

Cheers,

Finn Marsland
Snow Australia Cross Country Director
*sorry

Images from day 1 of the NSWACT XC Charlotte Pass camp.

The provisional Cross Country Skiing National Teams for 2024-2025 have been released by the Snow Australia Cross Country Skiing Selection Committee. Six athletes are nominated to the World Cup Team, with another eight athletes nominated to the Continental Cup Team. Three new athletes are invited to join the U23 and Junior teams for the first time.

The Selection Committee advises that discretionary selection has already been applied in a number of cases and that additional discretionary selections are being considered. All athletes will be invited to submit Individual Performance Plans and goals for the 2024-2025 season, before the final National Team athletes will be confirmed at the end of October.

From the 8^th to the 13^th September, National Team athletes joined Head Coach Alexei Sotskov and Falls Creek Training Centre Coach Jacob Huseby for the annual Spring Training Camp.

While the September camp has traditionally featured crust-skiing and on-snow technique work, poor snow conditions this year resulted in a fully dry-land training camp in Mt Beauty. Nevertheless, it was a successful and motivating camp with up to 25 hours of training logged. The Kiewa Valley provided an amazing training base with quiet roller-skiing roads and stunning views for trail running in the foothills.

Athlete and Female Representation Amongst Key Outcomes from NDC Review

Snow Australia has routinely reviewed the role and effectiveness of the National Discipline Committees (NDC’s) against the backdrop of a changing sport and community landscape. The most recent review, finalised in August 2024, again sought to address various challenges and enhance the governance and operational efficiency of the NDC’s. 

Key recommendations arising out of the review included improving Gender Balance on NDCs, introducing a consistent approach to appointing Athlete Representatives, and establishing a Snow Australia Selection Committee outside of the NDCs.

Read the full review and recommendations here>

Call for Expressions of Interest to Join Snow Australia National Discipline Committee’s

Snow Australia now seeks Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitable individuals willing to be appointed to all National Discipline Committees, including the National Cross Country Committee (NXCC). 

While performance outcomes are a core goal for the NDCs, applicants with skills, interest and connections to the broader sections of the athlete pathway are also encouraged to apply.

Snow Australia particularly encourages applications from women in the snowsport community in order to ensure appropriate gender balance across the NDC’s.

Less than half an hour after Sean'Hope "Seanie" Craig wound up her Interschools journey in her final Division 1 race, she had donned a high-vis vest and was down assisting the cross country officials at Blue Cow to get the following relay events underway.

To compete overseas in FIS-sanctioned competitions there are several prerequisites that must be satisfied before you can be included on an official entry form. Please view the summary information below and visit the Competing Overseas page on the website to make sure you understand your obligations.

1. Membership

To compete in cross-country skiing FIS races overseas you must be an XC International Racer. This ensures you have the correct level of membership and are registered with FIS.

2. Competition Insurance

It is a FIS requirement that Snow Australia ensures all its competitors hold insurance that covers competitive skiing and meets, at a minimum, FIS International Competition Rules: 212.3

Athletes competing overseas as part of a Snow Australia XC program are covered by the National Team AHI insurance policy. For ETP and other endorsed athletes, we have been working with our insurance providers to confirm policies ahead of the northern winter. Please visit the Overseas Competition Insurance page for the latest information on available policies.

3. Expression of Interest

To compete in FIS-sanctioned cross country races overseas you must complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form and submit it to Snow Australia (fmarsland@snow.org.au). Please note, this is not necessary for citizen skiers taking part in Worldloppet or other loppet events, nor for North American FIS events where entries are only possible online with direct payment.

For any questions regarding EOI's please contact entries@snow.org.au or visit the Competing Overseas webpage.