Hello 314ers. It’s been a minute. Call it writer’s block, or busy going around the block – the space and time for penning an update has been elusive. Let’s get you up to speed: The Skiwolves had a successful 2026 campaign, boasting seven individual All American finishes at the NCAA Championships and placing Alaska-Anchorage in 8th place overall nationally.
Corbin Carpenter earned first-team honors with a fifth in the 7.5-kilometer classic and sixth in the 20-kilometer freestyle. The Carbondale, Colo., native also represented USA at the U23 World Championships finishing 10th in the 20-kilometer freestyle and 13th in the 10-kilometer classic. He was named an All-RMISA Second Team selection and has a 3.93 GPA in health sciences.
Erling Bjornstad scored a pair of All-American honors finishing third in the 7.5-kilometer classic and 10th in the 20-kilometer freestyle. The native of Alta, Norway earned All-RMISA Second Team honors and has a 3.88 GPA in mechanical engineering.
Ella Bromée battled to land a pair of All-American honors at the 2026 NCAA National Championships, finishing sixth in the slalom and seventh in the giant slalom. The native of Ostanskar, Sweden was an All-RMISA Second Team selection and has a 3.93 GPA in management.
The athletes weren’t the only high points this past season, Head Nordic Coach and legend Trond Flagstad was awarded Coach of The Year. The Intercollegiate Ski Coaches Association tabbed University of Alaska Anchorage Associate Head Coach Trond Flagstad as its 2026 Co-Nordic Coach of the Year. Flagstad shared the Nordic Coach of the Year honor with University of Alaska Fairbanks head coach Ben Buck. Flagstad’s Alaska Anchorage squad posted one of the largest improvements in the nation, increasing from 108 points in 2025 to 174 points in 2026, a 66-point improvement. The Seawolves Nordic skiers earned five All-American honors and finished eighth as a team at the 2026 NCAA Skiing National Championships. Congratulations Trond! Well deserved.
Season Preview:
With a mass graduation in 2026, the Seawolves were in full rebuild mode this spring and summer. The Alpine team built an entirely new five-person women’s squad and doubled the men’s group from three to six. The Nordic side had three very exciting additions. Here’s the quick lowdown on where the new talent was found hiding out:
Nordic: Aria Grandi hailing from Canmore, Alberta; Tuva Svindland from Tonsberg, Norway, and local product out of the Kenai Peninsula – Chase Laker. Alpine Women: Niki Buchar from Kimberly, British Columbia; Guro Hestad Volgnild from Oppdal, Norway; Marie Lalire from Les Allues, France; Kornelia Larsen from Lommedalen, Norway; and Dora Ljutic from Zagreb, Croatia. Alpine men: Caleb Brooks out of Canmore, Alberta; Baptiste Cais from Trail, British Columbia; and Fredrik Johansen of Vettre, Norway.
Caleb Brooks
All eleven new Skiwolves join an impressive roster of returning athletes and have a very busy travel schedule for the 2026-27 crusade. The Alpine team starts with the first FIS race series in North America held at Mt. Sima in Whitehorse, Yukon. Races then bring the group to the FIS NorAm series in Sun Peaks, BC in December and Stowe & Burke, VT as well as Whiteface, NY in early January. NCAA racing starts in Vail, CO with the University of Colorado and University of Denver Invitationals January 15-18. After a quick break, action returns as the Alpine group goes to the University of Utah Invite at Utah Olympic Park on Jan 28th and 29th – then makes the trek across the Nevada Great Basin to the four-day University of Nevada Invite at Mount Rose Feb 1-4. The regular season wraps up at home in Alyeska for the NCAA Western Region Skiing Championships February 24-27.
The Nordic side starts out in Alaska with the traditional Alaska Cup against UAF in Fairbanks. Travel then takes them to Cable, WI in early January and then heading to Colorado for the University of Colorado and University of Denver Invites in Minturn and Steamboat Springs later in the month. February brings a frosty return to Fairbanks for a UAF invitational and then back down to balmy Anchorage for the NCAA Western Region Skiing Championships at Kincaid Park February 26th and 27th. Both Alpine and Nordic combine for the NCAA Skiing Championships hosted by UVM in Stowe, VT March 11-14.
It will be an exciting season to watch!
Niki Buchar
As always, the Skiwolves emerge as a perennial dark horse to compete for a spot on the podium. The energy is high and the team is already deep into our strength and conditioning prep period, harnessing all the watts and gearing up for the snow to fall. As always, thank you so much for your past, present, and future support of the UAA Ski Team! More updates will follow as the season progresses!