USA women's cross-country skiing team lacks elite members

The United States women's cross-country skiing national team faces a significant talent gap following the retirements of superstar Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan. Upon the announcement of the 2026/27 elite national team roster, no American women met the strict performance criteria required for A-status.

To qualify for the elite squad, athletes must meet high benchmarks, such as achieving a top-15 World Cup finish in sprint or distance, securing a World Cup or Olympic podium, or maintaining a high FIS ranking. While Julia Kern has achieved notable success, including two World Championship medals, the current roster lacks a female athlete meeting the specific federation requirements for the upcoming season.

In contrast, the men's elite team remains intact with three members: Ben Ogden, Gus Schumacher, and JC Schoonmaker. Scandinavian rivals, including Frida Karlsson and Maja Dahlqvist, expressed sadness regarding the situation, noting that Diggins had carried the weight of the program for a long time. American journalist Nathaniel Herz noted that Diggins' individual success had perhaps masked a broader decline in depth within the women's program.