The #SkiEqual Team: Fighting for Equal Race Distances in Nordic Skiing
The #SkiEqual Team began with a dedicated group of Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) coaches:
Molly Peters (St. Michael’s College)
Nathan Alsobrook & Leslie Krichko (Bowdoin College)
Tracey Cote (Colby College)
Chris City (Harvard University)
Together, they submitted proposals to U.S. Ski & Snowboard (USSS) and the NCAA Ski Committee, advocating for equal race distances for all genders. They had the opportunity to speak directly with both groups, engaging in meaningful and productive conversations.
By the 2021–22 season, we saw more equal distance races than ever before. Momentum was building. Programs across the U.S. began embracing the format, and the message was clear: equality was catching on.
Support grew quickly. The U.S. Ski Team's head coaches, along with superstar Jessie Diggins, publicly backed the movement. After two years of persistent effort, real progress was happening.
In spring 2022, we received the incredible news:
The International Ski Federation (FIS) approved a proposal—championed by U.S. Ski Team coaches Matt Whitcomb and Chris Grover—to implement equal race distances for World Cup, U23, and World Junior competitions starting in the 2022–23 season.
For the first time, domestic and international ski calendars were fully equal:
✅ Supertour – Equal
✅ Junior Nationals – Equal
✅ World Cup, U23, and World Juniors – Equal
✅ Future Olympics, World Championships, World University Games, and NCAA Championships – All will be equal
This is a massive step forward for gender equity in sport, and we’re proud to have played a role in making it happen.
#SkiEqual is no longer just a movement—it’s a reality.