Alaska skiers spur successful World Cup weekend for Americans

Alaska skiers spurred Team USA to successful results at the World Cup in Gallivare, Sweden this weekend.

U.S. Olympian and APU athlete Rosie Brennan helped the American women to a third-place finish in the 30K classic/freestyle relay on Sunday. With Brennan skiing the second leg, the Americans finished in a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, 46.8 seconds. The time was 27 seconds behind the winning team from Sweden and 14 behind the runner-up Germans. Joining Brennan on the relay team was Jessie Diggins, Sophia Laukli and Julia Kern.

“Relay podiums are always special,” Brennan told U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “It’s always fun to have a joint effort out there and everyone shares the emotion.”

Team USA’s men’s team finished fifth in the 30K relay with Alaskans Gus Schumacher, Scott Patterson and Zanden McMullen skiing legs. Their time of 1:12.36 was 46 seconds off the time posted by the winning Norway team and just eight seconds off the Germany’s third-place time.

“I think being such good friends and being so close to your teammates,” McMullen said in a release from U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “It relieves a lot of pressure and feels very familiar.”

The second U.S. men’s relay team finished eighth and included Alaskans Luke Jager and JC Schoonmaker.

Diggins had a solo win herself on Saturday, taking the 10K freestyle race. Brennan finished tied for sixth. Schumacher finished 16th (22:38.5) in the 10K free to lead the U.S. men.

“I’m feeling really happy with where I’m at,” Schumacher told U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “It’s been four really solid races now, and I feel like my body hasn’t really gotten to full race mode yet, so I hope to keep it rolling.”