USA Nordic Sport Names 2023 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Teams

The United States will be well represented at the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) Nordic World Ski Championships for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined. USA Nordic Sport (USANS) has named a total of 17 athletes to compete in the events from February 22 - March 4, 2023, in Planica, Slovenia.

Five men and women qualified to represent the United States in Ski Jumping. It will be the fourth World Championships appearance for Casey Larson (Barrington, Ill.), the third for Andrew Urlaub (Eau Claire, Wis.) and second for Decker Dean (Steamboat Springs, Colo.). This will be the first appearance for Erik Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) and Tate Frantz (Lake Placid, N.Y.). For Women's Ski Jumping, this will be the second appearance for Annika Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, Colo.), Anna Hoffmann (Madison, Wis.) and Paige Jones (Park City, Utah), while Josie Johnson (Park City, Utah) and Sam Macuga (Park City, Utah) will make their World Championships debut.

Five men and two women qualified to represent the United States in Nordic Combined. It will be the fourth World Championships appearance for Ben Loomis (Eau Claire, Wis.), the third for Jared Shumate (Park City, Utah) and second for Grant Andrews (Steamboat Springs, Colo.). Stephen Schumann (Park City, Utah) and Niklas Malacinski (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) will be making their World Championships debut in Planica. For Women's Nordic Combined, both Annika Malacinski (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) and Alexa Brabec (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) will be making their second appearance at World Championships.

“I am very proud to announce this years World Championship team. From the women’s side, this has been our most successful season in many years. The team has been working very hard this past year and we’ve been very pleased with the progress they’ve shown in their results," said USA Nordic Men’s and Women’s Ski Jumping Coach, Anders Johnson. "For Anna, Annika and Paige, this will be their second world championships, while Sam and Josie will get a chance to see what it’s like to compete at World Championships for the first time. Planica has been sort of a 'home away from home' for the athletes for many years. So, being able to see the valley filled with fans, family and friends, will be an amazing experience that I’m sure the athletes will remember for their entire lives.”

"We are excited to have these five athletes represent USA Nordic at the World Championships in Planica this month. For the first time in a long time, we have four athletes going into the Championships that have scored World Cup points," said Men’s Nordic Combined Team Director, Nick Hendrickson. "All of these athletes have been competitive at World Cup this season and our trend is continuing to climb. We are looking forward to both the individual and team events in Planica, including the mixed team relay with the Women's team, which will be the first time this event is at the Championships. Best of luck to all of the athletes, and we hope to have all our supporters following the events."

This will be the second World Championships for both Alexa and Annika," said Women’s Nordic Combined Head Coach, Tomas Matura. "We want to showcase all of the hard work we have been putting in during the past few months. We have had some good results leading up to the Championships, and I hope the athletes can set some new personal bests."

"The World Championship is the culmination of our season," said USA Nordic Sport CEO, Adam Provost. "Our coaches and athletes have spent the entire year training for the event. I'm looking forward to seeing all the hard work pay off for our athletes. This should be a great two weeks for Team USA."

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2023 USA Nordic FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Teams

Men’s Ski Jumping

• Erik Belshaw, 18, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
• Andrew Urlaub, 21, Eau Claire, Wis., Flying Eagles Ski Club
• Decker Dean, 22, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
• Casey Larson, 24, Barrington, Ill., Norge Ski Club
• Tate Frantz, 17, Lake Placid, N.Y., New York Ski Education Foundation

Women’s Ski Jumping

• Annika Belshaw, 20, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
• Paige Jones, 20, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
• Josie Johnson, 16, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
• Sam Macuga, 22, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
• Anna Hoffmann, 22, Madison, Wis., Blackhawk Ski Club

Men’s Nordic Combined

• Ben Loomis, 24, Eau Claire, Wis., Flying Eagles Ski Club
• Jared Shumate, 23, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
• Stephen Schumann, 22, Park City, Utah, Park City Ski & Snowboard
• Niklas Malacinski, 19, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
• Grant Andrews, 25, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

Women’s Nordic Combined

• Annika Malacinski, 21, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
• Alexa Brabec, 18, Steamboat Springs, Colo., Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club