The fastest women in the world: The remarkable rise of the US Women’s XC Ski Team

The U.S. earned its only Olympic medal in cross-country skiing in 1976, when Vermont skier Bill Koch captured silver. That may soon change: The women of the US cross-country ski team are serious contenders for an Olympic medal in South Korea in 2018.

In this Vermont Conversation, an author, coach and skiers discuss the remarkable rise of the US women’s cross-country ski team from being perennial back-of-the-pack finishers to winning numerous medals in world championship races. Author Peggy Shinn says it “attests to the power of a transformational leader, a coach who connects with his athletes, the super-fast individual skiers who are also conscientious teammates–and a bit of good luck.”

Peggy Shinn, Matt Whitcomb, Liz Stephen, Jessie Diggins, Sophie Caldwell, author, World Class: The Making of the US Women’s Cross-Country Ski Team, coach, US Women’s Cross-Country Ski Team, 3x Olympian from E. Montpelier, Vt., 2x Olympian from Minnesota, trains in Vt with team from Stratton Mountain School, 2x Olympian from Peru, Vt.