U.S. Para Nordic Team Builds Confidence Ahead of Milano Cortina at World Cup Finale

The U.S. Para Nordic Team closed out the 2025-26 FIS Para Cross-Country World Cup season with an impressive performance in Jakuzyce, Poland, using the final races before the Paralympic Winter Games as an opportunity to sharpen form and build confidence. 

Josh Sweeney opened the competition with a victory in the 1km Sprint before continuing his momentum in the distance races. Oksana Masters also continued her dominant season in the women’s sitting category, earning victories in the Sprint, 6km Interval Start, and 10km Interval Start, while Kendall Gretsch added silver medals in both distance races. Masters was also awarded a Crystal Globe, a prize awarded to the most successful athletes over the course of the entire season. 

Sydney Peterson had another strong weekend after earning gold, silver, and bronze medals at the world cup stop in Finsterau last month. After opening the competition in Jakuzyce with a silver medal in the Sprint, Peterson earned gold in both the 10km Interval Start and 10km Mass Start, closing the world cup season with back-to-back victories. Dani Aravich also finished the world cup season strong in Jakuszyce, finishing just off the podium in the Interval Start races before earning a bronze medal in the 10km Mass Start. 

Jake Adicoff closed the world cup season in commanding fashion in the men’s visual impairment category. Racing alongside guide Peter Wolter, Adicoff claimed victories in both the 10km Interval Start and the 10km Mass Start, reinforcing his position as a top medal contender going into the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. With the world cup season complete, Team USA now turns its full focus to Milano Cortina, caring momentum and confidence onto the sport’s biggest stage. 

The Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games kick off March 6, 2026 with para cross-country races scheduled March 10-11 and March 14-15. 

GOLD  
Oksana Masters – Women’s Sitting 
Josh Sweeney – Men’s Sitting  

SILVER 
Sydney Peterson – Women’s Standing  

Other Team USA results:  
Dani Aravich, 4th – Women's Standing 
Jack Berry, 5th – Men’s Standing 
Aaron Pike, 6th – Men’s Sitting  

GOLD  
Oksana Masters – Women’s Sitting 

SILVER 
Kendall Gretsch – Women’s Sitting 

Other Team USA results:  
Dani Aravich, 5th – Women's Standing 
Josh Sweeney, 6th – Men’s Sitting 
Dan Cnossen, 9th – Men’s Sitting 

GOLD  
Oksana Masters – Women’s Sitting 
Jake Adicoff – Men’s VI 
Sydney Peterson – Women’s Standing 

SILVER 
Kendall Gretsch – Women’s Sitting 
Josh Sweeney – Men’s Sitting 

Other Team USA results:  
Dani Aravich, 4th – Women's Standing 
Jack Berry, 6th – Men’s Standing 
 
 

GOLD 
Jake Adicoff – Men’s VI 
Sydney Peterson – Women’s Standing

BRONZE 
Josh Sweeney – Men’s Sitting 
Dani Aravich – Women’s Standing 

Other Team USA results:  
Dan Cnossen, 5th – Men’s Sitting 
Aaron Pike, 6th – Men’s Sitting 

Complete results can be found on the FIS website.