High School and Middle School
2026 Wisconsin Nordic Ski State Sprint Championships
Presented by the Wisconsin Nordic Ski League
January 31 – February 1, 2026
Ariens Nordic Center
1111 Round Lake Road, Brillion, WI
Registration
The 2026 registration process entails four 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: Wednesday, January 28th at 8:00 AM
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. Venue Waiver Completion
This step is to be completed by athletes, coaches, and others who will potentially be on course at the Sprint Championships.
Deadline: Thursday, January 29th at 9:00 PM
This waiver linked below must be completed for course entry at Ariens Nordic Center (ANC) as part of the Wisconsin Nordic Ski State Sprint Championships (January 31 – February 1, 2026).
ANC Online Waiver: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/whvbz4wwkyxrgxrwauhcaf/web/
4. Registration Dues Payment
This step is to be completed by team coaches (and unattached athletes/families).
Deadline: Saturday, 1/31 at 8:30 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 sprint 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
Detailed Schedule
Below is a detailed competition schedule. To view a Spectator Schedule Overview, see the daily schedules in next section.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
7:00 PM: Team Captains Meeting (virtual)
8:00 PM: Preliminary start list for Saturday, including seeding, published for review
Friday, January 30, 2026
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Race course open for inspection and training
8:00 PM: Final start list for Saturday posted
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Team Sprint Relay – Freestyle
Includes an Individual Start Qualifier and Relay Heats
Below is a schedule overview for spectators. For more detailed race information and a detailed competition schedule, please see the Detailed Schedule above.
Spectator Schedule Overview
WNSL State Sprint Championships
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Ariens Nordic Center – Brillion, WI
Team Sprint Relay (Freestyle)
Qualifiers
8:30 AM: Middle School Qualifier
9:05 AM: High School Qualifier
Relays
9:55 AM: MS Girls Relays
10:45 AM: MS Boys Relays
12:15 PM: HS Mixed Gender Relay
12:35 PM: HS Girls Semifinals
1:15 PM: HS Boys Semifinals
2:15 PM: HS Girls Final
2:35 PM: HS Boys Final
Awards
12:10 PM: Middle School Awards
3:30 PM: High School Awards
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Individual Sprint – Classic
Includes an Individual Start Qualifier and Heats
Below is a schedule overview for spectators. For more detailed race information and a detailed competition schedule, please see the Detailed Schedule above.
Spectator Schedule Overview
WNSL State Sprint Championships
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Ariens Nordic Center – Brillion, WI
Individual Sprint (Classic)
Qualifiers
8:30 AM: Middle School Qualifier
9:10 AM: High School Qualifier
Middle School Heats
10:03 AM: MS Boys Heats Begin
10:15 AM: MS Girls Heats Begin
10:45 AM: MS Boys Finals
10:51 AM: MS Girls Finals
High School Heats
11:30 AM: HS Boys Heats Begin
11:48 AM: HS Girls Heats Begin
12:00 PM: HS Quarterfinals
12:24 PM: HS Semifinals
12:48 PM: HS Boys Finals
1:04 PM: HS Girls Finals
Awards
11:25 AM: Middle School Awards – Round Lake Farms Lodge
1:40 PM: High School Awards – Round Lake Farms Lodge
Course & Stadium Information
Note: The high school course is slightly different on Sunday than it is on Saturday.
Course Maps for Saturday (Team Sprint Relay)
Middle School Course | 800m
See separate stadium map for lap and handoff zones.
High School Course | 1k
See separate stadium map for lap and handoff zones.
Spectator access will be limited to specific viewing areas and spectators are prohibited from walking on the race course. Note: the race course has been updated for 2026 to enhance spectator viewing.
Course Maps for Sunday (Individual Sprint)
800m for MS | 1.1k for HS
Field of Play will be enforced.
Spectator access will be limited to specific viewing areas and spectators are prohibited from walking on the race course. Note: the race course has been updated for 2026 to enhance spectator viewing.
Stadium
Field of Play will be enforced – coaches who plan to be on the course must wear a USSS Coach bib or sign in at the bibs table inside the Ariens Nordic Center to receive a bib and gain course access.
Spectator access will be limited to the designated spectator paths and viewing area. Walking on the race course is prohibited. Note: the race course has been updated for 2026 to enhance spectator viewing.
Venue
Both the Ariens Nordic Center and the Round Lake Farms lodge will be open for the State Sprint Championships. Both lodges are on-site, have bathrooms/changing rooms, and will be available for staying warm.
Ariens Nordic Center (smaller building): Bib pickup
Round Lake Farms lodge (larger building): Concessions and awards ceremonies
Hot food will be available for purchase on site at the Round Lake Farms lodge!
Note that Ariens Nordic Center has a no carry-in food policy:
US Biathlon Laser Biathlon Challenge
During the races on Saturday (1/31), Johnson Farra with US Biathlon will be on site running the Laser Biathlon Challenge. All are encouraged to participate between 10 AM and 2 PM in the biathlon range:
Parking
Due to limited parking at the Ariens Nordic Center/Round Lake Farms lodge, parking passes will be required for parking spots located directly at the venue. These passes will be issued to team wax vehicles, coaches, and volunteers. Handicap parking will also be available directly at the venue.
All other vehicles are instructed to park at Ariens Plant #1. There will be a bus shuttle from this location to the Ariens Nordic Center.
For vehicles not parking directly at the venue, temporary access to the Ariens Nordic Center parking lot for skier and equipment drop-off will be available.
Parking directly at the Ariens Nordic Center/Round Lake Farms lodge will be divided as follows:
South Lot: Waxing vehicles (10 power outlets available) – waxing spaces to be assigned
Middle Lot: Waxing vehicles (6 power outlets available) – waxing spaces to be assigned
NOTE: Teams should consider bringing their own generator and extension cords.
North Lot: Bus staging, coaches, volunteers, and handicap parking (no power outlets)
Remote Parking: Ariens Plant #1
655 W. Ryan St, Brillion, WI 54110. Look for the signage on Hwy 10.
Shuttle Schedule
Saturday, 1/31: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, 10-minute ride each way
Sunday, 2/1: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 10-minute ride each way
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.
Outdoor waxing spaces/power outlets will be assigned to teams (and independent athletes) based on randomization. To get a waxing space, contact Sean Becker, Ariens Nordic Center Director: SBecker@ariensco.com.
Teams should consider bringing their own generators and extension cords.
Teams will be permitted to enter their assigned outdoor waxing spaces beginning Friday, January 30th at 10:00 AM.
Sprint Heats Waxing Restrictions
Glide waxing will not be permitted between sprint heats. Kick wax adjustments between heats will, however, be permitted in the stadium area.
An athlete’s skis are to remain in the stadium area between their sprint heats.
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 positions include a free lunch and preferred parking!
Please direct volunteer inquiries to Ryan Thieme, WNSL Administrator: administrator@wisconsinxcski.org
State Championships Apparel
2026 State Championships apparel will only be available for purchase at the Distance Championships weekend in Cable, WI (February 7 – February 8, 2026).
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 Ariens Nordic Center. 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
The 2026 WNSL Sprint Championships raffle winner was Trudi of Allouez, WI!
Lodging
There is one hotel in Brillion, but there are many other lodging options available within 30 minutes of the Ariens Nordic Center. Below are links to local visitor bureau websites that have more information about local options.
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
Photos
Links to be added as available.
WNSL Facebook – Photos from Cathy Putman, Ben Hamilton
If you have event pictures to share, please send a link to administrator@wisconsinxcski.org.
Start Lists & Results
2026 Results
Overall Sprint Standings