2026 Wisconsin Nordic Ski State Distance Championships

High School and Middle School
2026 Wisconsin Nordic Ski State Distance Championships

Presented by the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League

February 7-8, 2026 | Birkie Trailhead, Cable, WI

Registration

The 2026 registration process entails three primary steps, as outlined below.

Direct all questions to Ryan Thieme, WNSL Administrator: administrator@wisconsinxcski.org

1. WNSL Roster Formation

This step is to be completed by all WNSL (and guest) athletes/families and coaches.

Deadline: December 31, 2025

To be eligible to participate in WNSL events, including the State Championships, all athletes/families and coaches must complete the online form/waiver: Smartwaiver.

The WNSL will combine the individual submissions of the form/waiver to generate 2026 WNSL team rosters.

Team coaches are to ensure that, by 12/31/2025, all of their coaching staff and athletes are on their team’s roster. Team rosters will be continually updated (as forms/waivers are submitted) and can be viewed here: 2026 WNSL Waiver/Roster Snapshot.

Roster Edits: Submit roster edit requests through the WNSL Roster Edit Request Form.

2. WNSL State Championships Athlete Registration

This step is to be completed by team coaches (and unattached athletes/families).

Deadline: Monday, February 2nd at 9:00 PM

In mid-January, coaches (and unattached athletes/families) who completed Step 1 will be sent a form containing a list of the athletes on their roster. Using this form, coaches (or unattached athletes/families) will choose to register (or not register) each athlete on their roster for races at the Wisconsin Nordic Ski State Championships.

The seeding request process will be integrated into this registration form. This form will also include a process for declaring relay team members for the team sprint event of the State Championships.

3. Registration Dues Payment

This step is to be completed by team coaches (and unattached athletes/families).

Deadline: Saturday, 2/7 at 9:00 AM.

How to Pay: By check at the bibs table or via Venmo to WNSL Treasurer, Rick Hase.

Checks can be made out to: Wisconsin Nordic Ski League.

Amount: $50 per skier. This covers both days of distance racing.

Other Registration Information

Seeding

Athlete seeding will be determined by a combination of objective criteria and coach discretion, as outlined by the WNSL Rules of Competition. Coaches will submit seeding requests as part of the athlete registration form described above.

As appropriate, an appointed WNSL Seeding Committee will review seeding submissions and determine final athlete seeding.

Late Entries

Athletes, teams, guest class, and non-Wisconsin individual athletes must be approved by the WNSL Board of Directors prior to January 23, 2026.

Course Access

All coaches assisting athletes with waxing, race support, or on the race course must have completed a 2026 WNSL waiver and, for the Sprint Championships, an ANC waiver. All coaches on the race course must wear a bib – either a USSS Coach Bib or a bib picked up at the bibs table at the event.

Schedule

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

7:00 PM: Registration list posted

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

7:00 PM: Team Captains Meeting (virtual)

Link

10:00 PM: Scratches deadline

Thursday, February 5, 2026

12:00 PM: Start list for Individual Start Distance Classic (Saturday) posted

Friday, February 6, 2026

12:00 – 6:00 PM: Check-in at Bibs/Info Table inside the Great Hall

12:00 PM: Race course opens for inspection and training

The course will be groomed to enable either classic or skate skiing

6:00 PM: Race course closes

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Individual Start – Distance Classic

The schedule below takes into account the one-hour weather delay and is up-to-date.

7:30 AM: Course opens for coaches

8:30 AM: Course opens for athletes

8:30 AM: Bib pickup opens

To be picked up by team

9:50 AM: Course closes

10:00 AM: High School Boys Race – Individual Start Distance Classic

30-second interval start | 6.2k (3.1k x 2 laps)
Check start list for exact start time

11:30 AM: High School Girls Race – Individual Start Distance Classic

30-second interval start | 6.2k (3.1k x 2 laps)
Check start list for exact start time

1:00 PM: Course opens

1:25 PM: Course closes

1:30 PM: Middle School Boys Race – Individual Start Distance Classic

15-second interval start | 3.1k (1 Lap)
Check start list for exact start time

2:30 PM: Middle School Girls Race – Individual Start Distance Classic

15-second interval start | 3.1k (1 Lap)
Check start list for exact start time

NOTE: All awards ceremonies during this weekend will be held as part of Sunday’s events.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change.

7:00 PM: Start list for Pursuit Distance Freestyle (Sunday) posted

Sunday, February 8, 2026

Pursuit – Distance Freestyle

7:00 AM: Course opens for coaches

7:30 AM: Course opens for athletes

7:30 AM: Bib pickup opens

To be picked up by team

8:50 AM: Course closes

9:00 AM: High School Girls Race – Pursuit Start Distance Freestyle

Check start list for exact start time
6.2k (3.1k x 2 Laps)

10:30 AM: High School Boys Race – Pursuit Start Distance Freestyle

Check start list for exact start time
6.2k (3.1k x 2 Laps)

12:00 PM: Course opens

12:15 PM: High School Awards Ceremony

1:10 PM: Course closes

1:15 PM: Middle School Girls Race – Pursuit Start Distance Freestyle

Check start list for exact start time
3.1k (1 Lap)

2:15 PM: Middle School Boys Race – Pursuit Start Distance Freestyle

Check start list for exact start time
3.1k (1 Lap)

3:15 PM: Middle School Awards Ceremony

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change.

Course & Stadium Information

The course will be a 3.1k lap course, with middle school racers racing one lap and high school racers racing two laps.

Distance Championships Course Map – Cable 2026 Download

Note: The course map for the 2026 Distance Championships is subject to change based on snow/weather conditions.

Distance Championships Venue Layout – Cable 2026 Download

The only access to the race venue is via Telemark Road.

Spectator Parking will be east of the Great Hall. No parking passes required.

The Great Hall will be open to athletes and spectators for warming, concessions, and apparel sales.

No waxing inside!

Wax Facilities & Restrictions

The waxing policies for the State Championships mirror those for Great Lakes JQ events, which allow the use of any non-fluorinated wax brands for glide and grip/kick.

There will be no indoor waxing space at the venue.

A team camp area, with some electrical outlets will be available in the parking lot of the Great Hall, similar to JQ weekends.

Teams should consider bringing their own generators and extension cords.

Venue

Derksen Family Great Hall

The Great Hall is conveniently located at the race venue and will be available for warming, concessions from Lakewoods, and the purchase of state meet apparel!

State Meet Apparel

2026 State Championships apparel will be available for purchase in the Great Hall during the Distance Championships weekend in Cable, WI.

Available apparel will include a variety of shirts and sweatshirts in all sizes.

50/50 Raffle

50/50 raffle tickets will be available for purchase throughout the weekend at the bibs table inside the Derksen Family Great Hall. Half of the proceeds will go to raffle winners, and the other half will directly support the WNSL in hosting high-quality events and serving its member teams.

Tickets can be purchased with cash or Venmo.

If payouts exceed $500, the pot will be split to make for multiple winners.

After the race weekend, winners will be contacted directly, and payment will be delivered electronically via Venmo (or by check).

Ticket Options:

One Ticket: $5
Five Tickets: $20

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to learn more about the event, meet new people, and contribute to a great event for our skiers! Most jobs require no prior experience.

Volunteer Signup Form

Please direct volunteer inquiries to Ryan Thieme, WNSL Administrator: administrator@wisconsinxcski.org

Race Weekend Correspondence

WhatsApp Group

Purpose: To communicate updates for the 2026 State Championships events as they arise throughout the event weekends. Updates could potentially include weather delays, etc.

Full Group: Link to Join

Coaches and Team Captains Only: Link to Join