Cross-Country athletes and staff shine at U.S. Ski & Snowboard Awards

The 2024 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Awards recognized several outstanding athletes and staff contributors in cross country skiing during their awards evening last week. The U.S Cross Country team did their best season ever and they were awarded with several prizes for the work they have done.

GOLD AWARDS

2024 Beck International Award: Jessie Diggins 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Beck International Award, its highest athletic award, is presented to a competitor based on outstanding performance in international competition during the past season. The Beck award was inaugurated in 1931.

Jessie Diggins, a three-time Olympic medalist, capped off her historic season winning the overall and distance FIS Crystal Globe. She won six World Cups and landed on the podium 12 times throughout the season along with winning the famed Tour de Ski, the cross country ski version of the Tour de France. Her leadership within her team is also highlighted by the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team’s best season in history. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard International Coach of the Year Award: Kristen Bourne

Kristen Bourne is the D Team and World Cup coach for the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. She was a competitive skier herself in college on the D1 circuit. After college, Kristen moved to Oslo, Norway where she continued racing and interning at the Norwegian School of Sports Science. She began coaching with the national team in 2022.

2024 Stifel Cross Country Athletes of the Year: Jessie Diggins & Gus Schumacher

Jessie Diggins had a career-best and historic season, winning the overall and distance FIS Crystal Globe, the Tour de Ski and capturing 12 podiums. She was a pivotal member of the cross country team, leading the team to their best ever season. 

Gus Schumacher made a splash on the cross country tour this season, consistently finishing in the top 10. Then in front of a home crowd, Schumacher won the World Cup in Minneapolis, securing his first victory and the first U.S. men’s cross country World Cup win since 1982.