Emma Albrecht glides into XC Skiing World Cup

On Feb. 18, the top Nordic skiers from across the globe rang in the long weekend in traditional Scandinavian fashion: on skis, in bibs and out playing in the snow. 

This date marked the 41st annual World Cup Nordic Ski Tour (WCT), and the first such race to be held on U.S. soil in 23 years. Wirth Park — a popular local ski destination in Minneapolis, Minnesota — boasts 21.5 km of paved trails that welcomed 12 men and 12 women skiers from each of the six competing countries. With free public admissions and six inches of fresh snow, over 7,000 fans attended the race, according to The Loppet Ski Foundations webpage, www.loppet.org.

For MSU ski team member Emma Albrecht, this competition was a return to her childhood stomping grounds. Growing up in Stillwater, Minnesota — a state with over 2,400 miles of accessible cross-country trials — Albrecht had the upper hand entering this year's competition. With outstanding performances this season, Albrecht earned a spot on the U.S. team’s roster for this season. 

Albrecht is a remarkably talented athlete given her late entrance into the sport. She only began skiing competitively in her junior year of high school after breaking her L5 vertebrae as a junior Olympic gymnast. As an alternative to gymnastics, Albrecht was introduced to skiing rather serendipitously by friends and has been enamored by the sport ever since. 

 Albrecht entered this year's competition as a returning veteran after competing at the WCT in 2023 at Canmore, Alberta. “Surprisingly, I was not nervous at all. There were zero expectations and I was simply there to soak it all up and have fun,” Albrecht said.

 Despite her accomplishments, she said she was shocked and relieved after receiving her WCT invitation this year. “My heart would not stop beating, having never qualified for any international trip ever. I was excited for days” Albrecht said.

This year's 10 km course showcased the most elite athletes in the sport, including Minnesota native Jessie Diggins, who has won more than 20 WCT titles in the women’s division. Albrecht, Diggins and other racers alike were tested on both their skate and classic skills. Skate bears similarities to ice-skating, while classic is consistent with a diagonal-step system akin to walking, according to the website outuro.com.

Albrecht placed 106th overall out of 160 competitors, with 31 total points. 

“I remember looking down at my suit and seeing USA and I still couldn’t believe I was racing a WC. Being able to represent your country at the highest level of competition besides the Olympics is a feeling I will never forget,” Albrecht said.