Team Birkie Criteria

Year Round Team Size: up to 14 athletes

Tier 1 (up to 4 athletes)

Meet at least one of these criteria:

  • Top 30 Ranking USSA Points Distance or Sprint for Men and Women
  • Previous NCAA Top 12 Performance
  • Top 10 US Nationals Result
  • Qualifying for a World Cup Team/International U20/U23 Team
    • Annual Team Fee is waived
    • Team Benefits: annual training plan, weekly coaching, lactate profiles, treadmill technique sessions, team uniforming, help with ski selection, choosing grinds, race support (coaching/ski service) at in Region and out of Region Team Events
    • Athletes invited to Team Camps and Competition Trips. Cost of these camps will be subtracted from an athletes fund of $6000 until it is depleted. Once the $6000 is depleted, the athlete is responsible for their share of travel, food, and lodging costs.
    • Athletes pay Team Fees for Camps and Competition Trips.   “Team Fees” include food/lodging/travel expenses of coaching staff.  Team Fees can be paid from Travel/Camp Stipend

Tier 2 (up to 6 athletes)

Meet at least one of these criteria:

  • Top 50 Ranking USSA Points Distance or Sprint for Men and Women.
  • Top 30 NCAA Championship Result
  • Top 25 US Nationals Result
    • Annual Team fee is waived
    • Team Benefits: annual training plan, and year long coaching, lactate profiles, treadmill technique sessions, team uniforming, help with ski selection and grind selection, race support (coaching/ski service)
    • Athletes invited to Team Camps and Competition Trips, but the athlete is responsible for their share of travel, food, and lodging cost.
    • Athletes pay Team Fees for Camps and Competition Trips. “Team Fees” include food/lodging/travel expenses of coaching staff
  • Team Fee of $7,000.

Tier 3 (up to 6 athletes)

  • Athletes invited to Team Camps and Competition Trips, but the athlete is responsible for their share of travel, food, and lodging cost.
  • Team Benefits: annual training plan, weekly coaching, lactate profiles, treadmill technique sessions, team uniforming, help with ski selection, choosing grinds, race support (coaching/ski service) at all Central Events
  • Athletes pay Team Fees for Camps and Competition Trips. “Team Fees” include food/lodging/travel expenses of coaching staff
  • Team Fee of $10,000. (2 payments, one in June, one in November).

Coaches’ Discretion in Tier Selections

  • Staff may use discretion in determining whether athletes may be promoted to a higher Tier. Principles of discretion will be posted shortly

International Race Support

Team Birkie will provide team athletes up to a maximum of $3,000 per athlete in support to attend FIS World Cup, World Championship.  Other FIS events may be considered by staff.  For 2021-2022 we have $6,000 budgeted.