2022-2023 XC National Team Finalised

The 2022-2023 Cross Country Skiing National Team has been confirmed, following athlete reviews and acceptances of the team invitation. Twenty-seven athletes will take their place in the World Cup, Continental Cup, U23 and Junior teams, with many of these athletes set to represent Australia in international championships in 2023.

Phoebe Cridland, Tuva Bygrave, Bentley Walker-Broose and Lars Young Vik at the 2022 World U23 Championship in Lygna, Norway.

The team includes 11 new faces, but also a lot of experience with five Winter Olympians and four 2020 Youth Winter Olympians. Two-time Winter Olympian Aimee Watson is remaining in Australia to train this summer after breaking her leg mid-winter, but is looking forward to training with the team again in 2023.

"I'm excited to be spending another year with the team and am looking forward to being part of the highly motivated group we have coming through at the moment," said Watson from Cooma where she works as a veterinarian. "The younger athletes are a great source of energy and enthusiasm from which I'm sure I will benefit. I'm super excited about the new coaching and training opportunities that are in the plans for the coming year."

Two notable absences from the team are 2022 Winter Olympians Jessica Yeaton and Casey Wright, both of whom are taking a step back from international competition for the next year. Yeaton will continue to train and race in the USA, but doesn't plan to compete at World Championship or World Cup this season.

One Winter Olympian who is fired up for his first World Championship is Lars Young Vik, currently residing in Oslo, Norway. Young Vik made his Olympic debut in Beijing earlier this year, and also scored a top 30 result at the 2022 World U23 Championships. Last weekend he achieved a World Cup PB in the Classic Sprint in Beitostolen, finishing just 10 seconds outside the fastest qualifier.

"I’m very excited to make my debut in the senior World Championships this season!" Young Vik said.

"There's more work to do, but making the sprint finals would be a dream for me. Another big goal is definitely to contribute in the team sprint event, where I think we on a good day can fight for a position in the final."

Young Vik is also pre-qualified for the 2023 World U23s in Whistler, Canada at the end of January.

Snow Australia would also like to announce the appointment of Alexei Sotskov as Head Coach of the National Team for 2022/2023.

Sotskov will be with the Australian Team at all major international events this season, including the 2023 World University Games in the USA, the 2023 World Junior/U23 Championship in Canada, and the 2023 World Championships in Slovenia.

The 62-year-old resident of Vermont, USA, has been coaching for over 30 years, including with the NSWACT team since 2020, led the Australian Team to the 2022 Junior/U23 Championships earlier this year.

Snow Australia XC staff Finn Marsland (Program Director) and Alexei Sotskov (Head Coach) at Falls Creek in 2022.

"I am excited and feel honoured about my new appointment with Snow Australia," wrote Sotskov from Lake Placid, where the team is training in preparation for the events in North America.

"What makes the Australian team unique is the importance of every individual. Quality time coaching and communicating with athletes is key to ensuring the program continues to deliver strong athletes through to the international level. After one of the most successful Junior/U23 World Championships for our athletes last season, I have no doubts, we have bright prospects for the team."

The AUSXC team can be followed throughout the season via @ausxc on Instagram.

2023 International Event Selection

Many athletes have already qualified for international events this season, This International XC Event selection page is updated during the season as additional athletes qualify and selections are made.

2023 National Junior Squad

The National Junior Squad consists of all the leading athletes within the Snow Australia ETP and recognised state pathway programs between the age of 16-20 that are following a year-round training plan primarily for cross country skiing. Athletes from this group are invited to attend national training camps and take part in other development activities on the recommendation of the state and national coaches when capacity allows. 

Further Information

Finn Marsland, Cross Country Program Director, fmarsland@snow.org.au