Palmer Skier Among Elite Field at U18 Nordic Nations Championships

While the world is getting ready for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, 12 of the nation’s top junior skiers are currently competing in a prestigious multi-city series across Trondheim, Norway, and Ulricehamn, Sweden, as part of the U18 Nordic Nations Championships, including a local athlete from the Mat-Su Borough.

Gabe Black, of Palmer, who skis with the Mat-Su Nordic and attends Colony High School, is one of six on the men’s team who is currently competing. “He has already competed in three races in Trondheim Norway, turning in two top 10 finishes,” says proud father, Darren Black, who reports that Gabe has since flown to Sweden and will compete in three more races there starting Friday.

Running from January 25 to February 8, this developmental "SuperTrip" serves as a critical bridge to the world stage, challenging American skiers in six high-stakes races—including classic interval starts, skate sprints, and mass starts—against elite Nordic competition. Supported by the National Nordic Foundation (NNF), the event provides these emerging stars with their first taste of the intense international racing culture that defines the future of the sport.

“I am delighted to share that I’ve qualified for the U18 Nations Cup in Norway and Sweden. I am very excited to go overseas and not only represent the United States and Alaska, but also the Mat-Su Valley,” Gabe wrote on a fundraising site, which helped him raise over $4,000 for the trip.

The 2026 U18 Scandinavian SuperTrip (formerly U18 Nordic Nations) features American junior cross-country skiers competing in Scandinavia, with key races in Trondheim, Norway, and Ulricehamn, Sweden, from Feb. 6–8, 2026.

Gabe is not the only athlete representing Alaska at the championships. Miya Kam-Magruder, from Anchorage, Alaska Winter Stars, is a member of the women’s team. Up to six athletes per gender were selected to the team on the basis of their two best results from the first three races at 2026 U.S. Nationals in Lake Placid last month.

“This trip has been a huge goal of mine, and many hours of training and preparation have made it a reality. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a great ski community, and I am thankful that our community values getting youth excited to take part in this amazing sport,” said Gabe.

To follow the races, see results, and livestream, please visit www.skiforbundet.no/arrangement/2025-2026/byaasen26/start--og-resultatlister/