Every year, the U.S. Ski Team selects a handful of U18 skiers to put on the stars and stripes and take part in two-week trip to Scandinavia, giving rising athletes a taste of international racing while competing against the best juniors in a race series known as the Scandinavian Cup. 

Two Bridger Ski Foundation athletes, Tula Higman and Sam Madsen, qualified for the trip by having standout results among the top juniors at U.S. Nationals in Lake Placid in January. Only six women and six men in the country were named to the team. BSF Nordic Coach Aubrey LeClair was selected to help coach the traveling team, which is also a big honor. The National Nordic Foundation helps to financially support this trip for U.S. juniors.

“We spent the first week in Trondheim racing at the world class Granåsen Skisenter, where the 2025 World Championship races were held," said Aubrey. "We spent the first few days in Trondheim getting to know the venue and getting our feet under us in terms of ski organization and selection."

The U.S. Team posted great results in the first weekend of racing, highlighted by Tula’s 4th place in the classic distance race and Sam’s 20th in the 10K skate. 

Then it was on to Sweden where the team spent a week, staying at a hotel in Borås and commuting from there to the ski venue in Ulricehamn. 

Tula posted another strong result in the classic individual start, finishing in 3rd for U18 women. “Sam and Tula both skied strong heats in the skate sprint before moving onto the final race of the trip, a 15k mass start skate race,” said Aubrey. “Both Tula and Sam raced very tactically for their first ever 15k, finishing in 6th and 21st, respectively.” 

Congratulations on a successful trip!

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