USA reveal team for IPC Nordic Skiing Worlds

The entire five-man American team for the IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships is made up of active duty or veteran servicemen. 30 Jan 2013

USA's Sean Halsted came 8th in the Biathlon Middle Distance at the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup in Cable.

ⒸJames Netz

By IPC

"We are excited to enter a strong team of athletes for the 2013 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships."

US Paralympics on Tuesday (29 January) announced that five athletes will represent the country at the 2013 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships from 25 February – 5 March in Solleftea, Sweden.

Every athlete on the American team is either an active duty or veteran serviceman.

The roster includes US Navy Lieutenant Dan Cnossen and retired Army member Andy Soule who combined for five medals at the recent IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup event in Cable, Wisconsin.

Retired Marines member Eric Frazier, retired Air Force member Sean Halsted and retired Army Reserves member Jeremy Wagner round out the team.

"We are excited to enter a strong team of athletes for the 2013 IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships," said John Farra, high performance director for US Paralympics nordic skiing.

"All of the athletes selected are coming off a very successful IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup on home soil in Cable, Wisconsin, where Dan and Andy medalled. The other three have closed the gap and are climbing toward the podium. It is going to be fun to see what Team USA can do next month."

Thus far, USA have never medalled at the IPC Nordic Skiing World Championships.

USA won 13 medals at the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup in Cable, as Cnossen led the way with four medals, two in biathlon and two in cross-country, while Soule won a silver medal in the middle biathlon event.

At the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, Soule won a bronze medal in 2.4km biathlon, becoming the first US athlete to medal in biathlon at the Olympic or Paralympic Winter Games.

Around 150 athletes from 15 countries are expected to take part in the final World Championships ahead of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.