Join AXCS
2026 USA "Relay Availability google sheet
(click above when sheet is available in late January)
IMPORTANT: Every registered USA skier is asked to put down "yes" or "no" on the Availability Sheet latest by _______________. JD needs "no" also marked because it signifies that you didn't just forget or ignore requests for putting "yes" with a blank spot. If you are "yes", make sure to put down if you can only skate, only classic, or you are prepared to do either.
If you cannot access or figure out the Availability Sheet, send JD an email at: jd at xcskiworld dot com
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--> Every nation is allowed one relay team per relay category at the Masters World Cup. For women, relay categories are in 10 year blocks. So the women's 1 and 2 individual categories (30-34 and 35-39 years) are combined for a single women's 1-2 relay medal category. For men, relay categories are in the normal 5 year age categories as individual races. So everyone understands the logic here for bigger female relay age groups (so fewer relay options) -- historically MWC registration is 2:1, male:female. North American attendance balance is a lot better than 2:1 on gender ratio, but in Europe -- not so much.
--> The official MWC rules regarding MWC relays have changed significantly in recent years. The really simple summary of the newer rules is that every "legal" MWC relay team now only has to have ONE (1) skier in the actual age/gender category of the relay team. The other three skiers can be from the same age/gender category or dropped down from older categories. It is NEVER possible to move a younger skier "up" in age -- only "down".
--> The other significant rule change is that alternates and line-up changes can be declared much later in the game than previous years. So AXCS will keep a lot of options in play until race morning at the point that we know all four (4) skiers for a given line-up have picked up their relay bibs (separate of individual bibs) and are ready to rock n' roll.
--> In what Hollywood would call more of a guideline than actual rules (bonus points if you know that movie reference!), AXCS does everything reasonable to field teams mostly (or all) from the actual age category. We have a big contingent and it is fairer both to skiers within our contingent and also skiers from other nations that we avoid "stacking" certain categories with our best skiers regardless of age. At the same time, we want to kick butt and take names -- so there is a balancing act here.
--> Because we have a big contingent for MWC2026 combined with the fact that we can only field one relay team per category, in some relay categories we will have tight competition between USA skiers for spots. In some cases, we will drop "bench" skiers down in age to fill spots on younger teams if they are simply faster than some skiers in younger ages. In other cases, we will depend on those "bench" skiers to be ready to be alternates in case a named USA athlete can't race (this happens a lot more often than you think).
--> Closer to the MWC, there will be two USA Relay Availability links posted on the Team USA Information Page (probably Google sheets, but we might use a different app) . We'll have one Availability set-up for men and a different one for women. If you would would like to be considered for the USA relays, you are requested to put your name on those sheets/polls. You need to put what technique you are equipped and ready to do. Do not fester about whether you think you'll ever be selected (that doesn't help), just put your name down if you'll race if you are selected.
--> On the night after the short distance races (two nights before the MWC Relay), AXCS National Director JD Downing will sequester himself in his palace of solitude (hotel room) and spend a good chunk of the night working out the "named" USA line-ups for all relay categories. Our USA line-ups plus alternates will be posted by the time you wake up on the rest day.
What criteria is used in this selection process?
The relay selection process is mostly based on a mixture of head-to-head results from the first two MWC competition days with some weighting towards the "short distance" 10/5km races (because the relay legs are just 5km) -- direct comparison (when available) to other USA and international skiers in the category -- and then (if all else fails) a simple point system (1st American 1 point, 2nd American 2 points, etc. with lower "score" winning out). JD also will have watched folks ski and done a fair bit of Q & A beforehand with skiers on who is healthy/fit, our most competitive technical balance, which categories we match up best with other nations, who is fired-up to the relay (vs. who has to be dragged by the ear to do it), plus other factors.
With some relay categories the relay teams are very easy to name. We'll have a top 2 classic and a top 2 skate (or an obvious balance). But on some age categories, it will be literally splitting hairs between skiers. In 2025 it took J.D. literally 90 minutes to decide between 2-3 skiers for just one relay quartet in (true story).
You have an absolute guarantee that nothing involving USA relay selection will be done on a whim or bias for/against any skier. Every single one of you that make yourself available for the relay will honestly, truly, and absolutely be fairly considered for multiple placements (in your age group or any younger team that is possible). There will be logic and rationale with every selection. Feel free to ask J.D. if you have questions. It is a guarantee that JD will have extensive notes why very tight selections go one way or the other.
-- The final submitted USA relay team line-ups as selected by USA National Director J.D. Downing will be posted on the Team USA Info Page as early as possible on the morning of the MWC rest day.
-- If your name appears on the final relay line-ups as either a named racer OR alternate, we absolutely need you to be ready-to-ski effective MWC Relay morning. If you know you can't race (illness, injury, other emergency) you need to get word to J.D. immediately -- seriously, immediately. Alternates that can ski both techniques are generally asked to have both sets ready at the venue on race morning (yeah, AXCS understands that's a pain so just do the best you can).
-- For alternates, we need you to be ready-to-race all the way up until bibs are picked-up effective relay morning. If anyone wakes up on the rosters unable to perform -- YOU then become front and center our only options to ski. Yes, sometimes (especially in Europe) running alternates can take us out of medal contention. But everyone can still have a fun race. You also never know what might happen with other nations. Sometimes really tough categories blow up for weird reasons. #stayinthegametothefinalwhistle
-- First relay usually starts in the morning (the exact MWC relay schedule varies annually and is subject-to-change even when announced) then subsequent relay waves and races for probably about 3.5 hours total worth of relay races. Anyone racing usually is done by mid-afternoon.
-- We will have a mandatory USA Relay Meeting the evening prior to Relay day. This may be virtual or it can be in person depending on logistics of a meeting space. Pay attention to Team USA email updates and the Team USA Info Webpage. This quick meeting will go over relay logistics verbally and also allow relay skiers to "see" their teammates ahead of race morning.
-- Everyone that isn't racing and (of course) all alternates please come make a ton of noise, dress up crazy, and let's see those USA relay socks! (face glitter is optional)