Celebrating Success: Cross-Country Athletes and Staff Honored at U.S. Ski & Snowboard Awards

Last week, the 2024 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Awards celebrated the remarkable achievements of several athletes and staff contributors in the world of cross-country skiing. The U.S. Cross Country team delivered their most successful season to date, and this performance was recognized with multiple accolades.

Gold Awards

2024 Beck International Award: Jessie Diggins

The Beck International Award, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s highest athletic honor, celebrates athletes who demonstrate exceptional performance on the international stage. This prestigious award has been presented since 1931.

Jessie Diggins, a three-time Olympic medalist, capped her historic season by winning both the overall and distance FIS Crystal Globe. Her achievements this year included six World Cup victories and a spot on the podium 12 times. Additionally, she triumphed in the renowned Tour de Ski, often dubbed the cross-country ski equivalent of the Tour de France. Her influential leadership was instrumental in the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team achieving its best season ever.

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

Kristen Bourne, the coach of the D Team and World Cup for the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team, was also honored. As a former collegiate competitor on the D1 circuit, Bourne's journey in coaching began after she moved to Oslo, Norway, where she raced and interned at the Norwegian School of Sports Science. She joined the national team coaching staff in 2022.

"This season is the result of countless hours of hard work from everyone involved. This award is not just about one coach; it symbolizes a team that lifts each other up and builds a culture of success. When one achieves, we all succeed together. I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of this team," Bourne expressed.

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

In addition to Diggins, Gus Schumacher also received accolades as one of the Stifel Cross Country Athletes of the Year. Alongside his teammate, Diggins showcased a historic season of his own, consistently finishing in the top ten on the cross-country tour. In a triumphant homecoming, he clinched his first World Cup victory in Minneapolis, marking the first U.S. men's cross-country World Cup win since 1982.

Together, this dynamic duo played pivotal roles in leading the cross-country team to their most successful season yet.