2027/28 National Team Structure Criteria
USA Skimo National Team
2027/2028 Season
A / B / D Team Structure & Athlete Support
The National Team is selected based on competitive results, with the goal of fielding the strongest possible team across all age groups while supporting the development of younger athletes as they progress toward becoming senior racers.
National Team Structure
- A Team: Senior + U23
- Junior A Team: U20
- B Team: Senior + U23
- Junior B Team: U20 + U18
- D Team: Senior/U23 Athletes
- Junior D Team: U18/U20 Athletes
National Team Selection Criteria
Athletes can be selected based on results in 1 discipline.
A TEAM
Senior:
- Sprint: 2 top 25 finishes in Senior WC
- Vertical: 2 top 15 finishes in Senior WC
- Individual: 2 top 15 finishes in Senior WC
- Mixed Relay: 1 top 5 + 1 top 10 individual lap times in WC MR
- Lap times are calculated on cumulative of qualification + final laps.
- Top ranked in the National Rankings in any of the disciplines.
U23:
- Sprint: 2 top 30 finishes (Senior Category WC)
- Vertical: Top 20 of the Senior WC field in 2 races
- Individual: Top 20 of the Senior WC field in 2 races
- Mixed Relay: 2 top 10 individual lap times in WC
- Lap times are calculated on cumulative of qualification + final laps
- Top 3 ranking in the National Rankings Senior Age Category
Junior A Team
U20:
For those remaining in U20 age group and moving into U23
- Top 3 in the overall Youth World Cup standings
- Top 2 at the Youth World Championships in Sprint/Vertical/Individual
- Sprint: 2 x top 3 finishes at YWC/WChamps
- Individual: 2 x top 3 finishes at YWC/WChamps
- Vertical: 2 x top 3 finishes at YWC/WChamps
- Mixed Relay: 2 x top 5 individual lap times at YWC/WChamps
- Lap times are calculated on cumulative of qualification + final laps
U18:
Not eligible for A Team
B TEAM
Senior:
- Sprint: 1 top 25 finish + 1 top 30 on the WC
- Vertical: 2 top 20 finishes on the Senior WC
- Individual: 2 top 20 finishes on the Senior WC
- Mixed Relay: 2 top 10 individual lap times on the Senior WC
- Lap times are calculated on cumulative of qualification + final laps
- Top 2 in the National Rankings in any of the disciplines
U23:
- Sprint: 2 top 35 finishes in the Senior Category WC
- Vertical: Top 25 of the Senior WC field in 2 races
- Individual: Top 25 of the Senior WC field in 2 races
- Mixed Relay: 2 top 12 individual lap times in WC
- Lap times are calculated on cumulative of qualification + final laps
- Top 4 ranking in the National Rankings (Senior Category)
Junior B Team
Junior U20/U18:
Those athletes remaining in the U18 category, moving up to U20 or moving up to U23 next season.
- YWC: Top 5 in the overall YWC rankings
- Top 3 at the Youth World Championships in Sprint/Vertical/Individual
- Top ranked National Rankings (Individual/Sprint/Vertical)
D TEAM
Senior/U23:
- Sprint: 2 finishes top 35 in the Senior WC
- Vertical: 2 top 25 of the field in Senior WC races
- Individual: 2 top 25 of the field in Senior WC races
- Senior: Top 3 in the rankings of the National Rankings (all disciplines)
- U23: Top 8 in the Senior rankings of the National Rankings (all disciplines) if within 20 points of the top ranked athlete in that discipline
Junior D Team Selection Criteria
U20:
Top 3 in the rankings of the National Ranking System if within 20% of the top American athletes in your age category this season. This pertains to athletes remaining in the U20 age category. A current U20 moving into the U23 age category needs to be within 20% of the current U23 times.
U18:
Top 3 in the rankings of the National Ranking System if within 20% of the top American athletes in your age category this season. This pertains to athletes remaining in the U18 age category. Those moving into the U20 age category need to be within 20% of the current U20 ranking points in the Sprint, Vertical and Mixed Relay, they need to be top 2 U18 Individual ranking.
U16:
Top 2 in the rankings for 2nd year U16 athletes if they are within 20% of the current U18 age group ranking in each discipline.
National Ranking Calculation
National Ranking Calculation
Discretionary Selection
Discretionary and Min Performance Policy
Athlete Support
Financial support is subject to change depending on available funding.
Senior A TEAM:
Each A Team athlete receives:
- 1 × 5-day summer domestic training camp
- 1 x 5-day fall camp - USOPTC
- 1 × 1-week winter training camp (location TBD)
- 1 x 5-day spring camp - USOPTC
- Complete team uniform
- All World Cup starts funded, including:
- Transportation (1 round trip flight to Europe, van rides to and from the race venue)
- Accommodation (during the WC races only)
- Food (at WC races)
- ISMF Race registration + license
Junior A TEAM:
Each A Team athlete receives:
- 1 × 5-day summer domestic training camp
- 1 x 5-day fall camp
- 1 × 1-week winter training camp (location TBD)
- 1 x 5-day spring camp
- Complete team uniform
- World Cup starts funded at 50%, including:
- Transportation (van rides to and from the race venue)
- Accommodation (during the WC races)
- Food (at WC races)
- ISMF Race registration + license
World Cup Participation
A Team Athletes are expected to be at World Cup races that the staff assigns.
Senior B TEAM:
Each B Team athlete receives:
- 1 × 5-day summer domestic training camp
- 1 x 5-day fall camp - USOPTC
- 1 × 1-week winter training camp
- 1 x 5-day spring camp - USOPTC
- Complete team uniform
- 2 x 50% funded World Cup starts, including:
- Accommodation (during the WC races)
- Food (at WC races)
- ISMF Race registration + license
World Cup Participation
The first two World Cup starts are 50% funded.
Following those races, an athlete may receive additional World Cup starts (at 50% funding) if they demonstrate B Team criteria listed above.
If they fail to meet the B Team standards, they may continue on the WC with 100% athlete funding.
Junior B Team:
Each Junior B Team athlete receives:
- 1 × 5-day domestic summer training camp
- 1 × 1-week winter training camp
- 1 × medical check
- 1 × lactate test
- Complete team uniform
- 2 x 30% funded World Cup starts, including:
- Accommodation (during the WC races)
- Food (at WC races).
- ISMF Race registration + license
D Team: Senior / Junior
Each D Team athlete receives:
- 1 × 5-day summer domestic training camp - 100% funded
- 1 × winter domestic training camp - 50% funding
- 1 × medical check
- Reduced team uniform (race suit + jacket) - funded
- Ability to purchase additional team uniform items at a reduced cost
- 2 World Cup opportunities - athlete funded
World Cup Participation
The first two World Cup starts are 100% athlete funded.
Athletes may continue to participate in additional World Cups if they demonstrate D Team criteria. Potential for increased funding if results meet B Team requirements.
Team Fees
Team Fees are due at the time of team acceptance - end of May.