The following press release was received earlier today from the National Nordic Foundation. It is the official editorial position of this site that “NNF is good, and you should give them money.” This press release showcases an example of something that NNF does with that money. Here’s Nancy Fiddler (yes, that Nancy Fiddler) with more.
The National Nordic Foundation, The Olympic Women’s Book Project, the Women’s Ski Coaches Association, and the U.S. Ski Team are excited to announce the 2024/2025 recipients of the Trail to Gold Coaching grants. This season’s recipients represent the third “class” of women ski coaches chosen to learn and work alongside U.S. Ski Team coaching staff on the World Cup.
The Trail to Gold coaching grants originated from funds donated by the Olympic Women’s Book Project in 2022 following the publication of their book, Trail to Gold: The Journey of 53 Women Skiers. The book, which chronicles the history of U.S. women skiing in the Olympics from 1972–2022, raised awareness of American women skiers and quickly triggered discussion among the book committee about how to continue to fight for women’s equality in sport. The idea of sending women coaches to an historically male coach/tech dominated World Cup was quickly put into effect for the 2022/2023 season to great success. The Olympic Women’s Book Project has been fortunate to partner with the National Nordic Foundation, the Women’s Ski Coaches Association, and the U.S. Ski Team to bring this idea to fruition.
This season’s eight grant recipients come from a large and highly qualified group of applicants who come from clubs, high schools, and colleges from all across the country. This group of eight women will each spend up to two weeks on the World Cup leaning into time spent in the wax truck, on snow testing skis and providing splits, joining logistics discussions, and supporting U.S. athletes on and off the race course.
2024/2025 Trail to Gold Coaches
Kaelyn Woods (Bridger Ski Foundation): November 18–December 2, Muonio and Ruka
Ruth Oppliger (Northern Michigan University): December 1–16, Lillehammer and Davos
Alex Jospe (Stratton Mountain School): December 25–January 6, Tour de Ski
Becca Rorabaugh (APU): January 14–27, Les Rousses and Engadin
Avery Ellis (Eastern Mass XC): January 19–February 3, Engadin and Cogne
Lucy Glanville (Team Soldier Hollow): February 11–17, Falun
Callie Young (Dartmouth/Craftsbury GRP): March 11–24, Oslo, Tallinn, and Lahti
Julie Ensrud (Team Birkie): March 11–24, Oslo and Lahti
We can all be part of this program by donating to the National Nordic Foundation during their November Fund Drive. When the Drive for 25 begins on November 25, select the Trail to Gold Coaching Grant button on the Drive for 25 donation page and help build coaching/teching equality on the World Cup.
