LAKE PLACID, NY – In a definitive display of season-long excellence, Alberta World Cup Academy (AWCA) athlete Alison Mackie officially secured the FIS U23 Overall World Cup title yesterday during the World Cup Finals in Lake Placid.

This prestigious title marks Mackie as the most consistent Under-23 female skier on the international circuit this year. Adding this overall season honour to her earlier crowning as U23 World Champion, Mackie has completed a rare “double” that cements her status as a cornerstone of Canada’s high-performance future.

Alison Mackie wins the FIS U23 Overall World Cup Title. Photo Credit: Nordiq Canada/Nathaniel Mah

A New Era for Canadian Cross-Country Skiing The atmosphere at Mt. Van Hoevenberg was electric as the World Cup returned to the historic 1980 Olympic venue. While the weekend celebrated the deep roots of North American cross-country skiing—marked by the final competitive appearances of U.S. legend Jessie Diggins—it was a weekend that underscored the strength of the Canadian contingent as the next Olympic quadrennial officially begins.

“I am extremely proud to conclude the 2025-2026 World Cup season as the U23 Overall World Cup leader. This result is a reflection of years of hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice. I am incredibly grateful for the support of the Alberta World Cup Academy, and to train in Canmore, Alberta.” said Alison Mackie

The weekend’s performances, highlighted by Mackie securing the U23 Overall World Cup title, serve as a powerful statement for Canada’s trajectory toward the 2030 Olympic Winter Games. Working in alignment with Nordiq Canada, the National Sport Organization (NSO) overseeing the development of the sport across the country, the Academy continues to refine the high-performance pipeline.This surge of talent across the U23 and senior ranks confirms that the “Path to 2030” is fueled by a formidable cohort of emerging Canadian athletes. 

“Alison’s trajectory from a developing junior to the world’s top-ranked U23 skier is exactly what our program is designed to facilitate,” said Nikki Gilman, Program Director of the Alberta World Cup Academy. “As we enter this critical new Olympic cycle, we are seeking the next generation of driven athletes to join this national momentum. We invite Canada’s high-performance skiers to apply and find their place in the country’s premier development pipeline. Together, we are building the future of Canadian Nordic excellence.”

The Academy provides a comprehensive support system, including podium-level coaching and integrated IST (Integrated Support Teams), creating a competitive pathway that begins at the world-class Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park and leads directly to the highest levels of international competition.

About the Alberta World Cup Academy: The AWCA is Canada’s premier year-round High-Performance Training Centre, dedicated to developing, supporting, and coaching future Olympians and world-class racers. Based at the world-class Canmore Nordic Centre with a secondary “Train & Study” hub at the University of Calgary, the Academy provides elite athletes with access to full-time high-performance coaches, high-altitude training, and state-of-the-art facilities, including an XC roller ski treadmill and extensive trail networks.