Finsterau World Cup Marks Another Key Step Toward Milano-Cortina for Team USA

With the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games now less than two months away, the U.S. Paralympic Nordic Ski team delivered another impactful performance at the FIS Para Cross-Country World Cup in Finsterau, Germany, continuing to build momentum for Team USA. Across three days of racing, American athletes earned multiple victories in distance and sprint events, emphasizing both depth and experience as the season enters its final stretch. 

Jake Adicoff led the charge in the men’s visually impaired category, earning gold medals in the 10km Interval Start and the 10km Mass Start events before adding a silver in the Sprint race. Oksana Masters continued her dominant return to competition with gold medals in the 10km Interval Start and Sprint races, along with a silver in the 10km Mass Start. Sydney Peterson also delivered a standout performance, winning the Women’s Standing Interval Start, securing silver in the Mass Start, and earning bronze in the Sprint. 

Several U.S. athletes earned valuable results against a deep international field of competition. Kendall Gretsch narrowly missed the podium with fourth- and fifth-place finishes, while Dani Aravich posted a sixth-place result in the Mass Start. In the men’s sitting and standing categories, Aaron Pike and Josh Sweeney earned top 10 finishes, adding critical race experience as Team continues its final preparations for Milano-Cortina. The Para Cross-Country World Cup season concludes with a final stop in Jakuszyce, Poland, Jan. 28 – Feb. 1, 2026, marking the final test before the Paralympic Winter Games. 

January 14, 2026 – 10km Interval Start 

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

Other Team USA results: 
Kendall Gretsch, 4th – Women's Sitting 

Josh Sweeney – 10th, Men’s Sitting 
Dan Cnossen – 13th, Men’s Sitting 
Nicole Zaino – 16th, Women’s Sitting 
Erin Martin – 20th, Women’s Sitting 
Max Nelson – 21st, Men’s VI 
Michael Kneeland – 30th, Men’s Sitting 
Zhenghong Schlechte – 35th, Men’s Standing 
Ty Wiberg – 29th, Men’s Sitting 

 
January 15, 2026 – 10km Mass Start 

GOLD 
Jake Adicoff – Men's VI  

SILVER 
Oksana Masters – Women’s Sitting 
Sydney Peterson – Women's Standing 

Other Team USA results: 
Kendall Gretsch – 5th, Women’s Sitting 
Dani Aravich – 6th, Women’s Standing 
Aaron Pike – 8th, Men’s Sitting 
Josh Sweeney – 10th, Men’s Sitting 
Dan Cnossen – 11th, Men’s Sitting 
Nicole Zaino – 15th, Women’s Sitting 
Max Nelson – 27th, Men’s VI 
Zhenghong Schlechte – 34th, Men’s Standing 
Michael Kneeland – 35th, Men’s Sitting 
Ty Wiberg – 43rd, Men’s Sitting 

January 17, 2026 – Sprint 

GOLD 
Oksana Masters – Women’s Sitting 

SILVER 
Jake Adicoff – Men's VI 

BRONZE 
Sydney Peterson – Women's Standing

Other Team USA results: 
Kendall Gretsch – 4th, Women's Sitting 
Aaron Pike – 7th, Men’s Sitting 
Dani Aravich – 14th, Women’s Standing 
Dan Cnossen – 15th, Men’s Sitting 
Nicole Zaino – 17th, Women’s Sitting 
Jack Berry – 19th, Men’s Standing 
Erin Martin – 21st, Women’s Sitting 
Max Nelson – 23rd, Men’s VI 
Zhenghon Schlechte – 27th, Men’s Standing 
Michael Kneeland – 34th, Men’s Sitting 
Ty Wiberg – 41st, Men’s Sitting 
 
 

Complete results can be found on the FIS website.