Cross-Country Program Director Chris Grover: Looking Back and Planning Ahead

Nordic Nation

In this episode, we have U.S. Ski & Snowboard cross-country program director Chris Grover on to discuss the tumultuous last two years of navigating the pandemic, including the many ways in which it created strain for the team, particularly as Omicron variant surged during the months leading into the 2022 Beijing Olympics. It’s been a hard two years, but this conversation extends well beyond the impacts of the pandemic. We also discuss equal distance racing, the 2022-23 roster for the U.S.Ski Team, which features a number of talented young men, team selection for World Cup, World Championship, and a new gender equity initiative proposed to the FIS by US Ski & Snowboard which incentives nations to invest in developing women ski technicians and utilizing them at World Cup events.

This proposal was recently accepted by the FIS cross country committee, and should it be officially accepted at FIS council meetings, it would mean a new set of course bibs would be available beginning next season only to female techs. Therefore, a country could increase the size of its service staff by investing in the development of women techs and utilizing these women at World Cups.

Thanks for listening and thanks to Boulder Nordic Sport for their support of this podcast.