Olympic opening ceremony watch party cheers for Alaska XC skiers

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Welcoming folks into Grant Hall on the Alaska Pacific University campus Friday was a picture of the Nordic Ski team with the slogan, “Olympians Made Here.”

That certainly rings true at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics with eight of the 16 Team USA cross-country skiers being part of the APU program.

“If Alaska were it’s own nation in the parade of nations, we would be well-represented in the sport of cross-country skiing,” APU program coach Forrest Mahlen said with a laugh.

Many supporters filtered in and out of the campus’ theater Friday morning to afternoon for the live airing of the opening ceremonies, with an eruption of cheers and chants when Team USA was introduced in Italy.

APU skiers representing the state and country at the Winter Games are Rosie Brennan (37, third Olympics), Hunter Wonders (27, first Olympics), Hailey Swirbul, 27, second Olympics), Gus Schumacher (25, second Olympics), JC Schoonmaker (25, second Olympics), Zanden McMullen (24, first Olympics), Novie McCabe (24, second Olympics) and Kendall Kramer (23, first Olympics).

“It’s definitely pretty incredible to have so many people from our team make the Olympics, it is wild,” said fellow APU Nordic ski member Hatcher Menkens, 19. ″It’s a big driving force on our team, seeing the accomplishments that our men’s team and women’s team are making, just proves the work we are doing works.”

“I think it speaks to how good Alaska is for Nordic skiing,” Mahlen added. “We love it here, it’s got everything you need to be a Nordic skier at the highest level.”

Participating skiers may not know if they are racing until the day before or even day of. The first cross-country ski race will be the women’s skiathlon taking place at 3 a.m. AKST Saturday. The men will race in the 20-kilometer skiathlon event the following day while more cross-country medals will be up for grabs throughout the week. Monitor our website for updates on the Alaska Olympians.

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