Kate Oldham to represent U.S. at Nordic World Ski Championships
Kate Phillips, Sopris Sun | February 19, 2025
Having achieved a national title and World Cup debut, Carbondale's Kate Oldham (right) is having the season of a lifetime. Pictured here with mom, Julie Oldham, Kate is empowered by her support team and ready to compete for the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski team at the FIS World Championships in Trondheim, Norway starting Feb. 26.
If one were to describe Kate Oldham’s nordic ski season thus far, chances are the words like “stellar,” or “impressive” and perhaps even “mind blowing” would top the list. Between national podium finishes, a world cup debut and top 15 performances at the Junior World Ski Championships, Oldham is a formidable world-stage competitor. Lucky for fans, her season continues. Oldham was recently selected to represent the U.S. at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, from Feb. 26 to March 9.
“I opted not to do any pre-season racing,” Oldham told The Sopris Sun. “I spent pretty much all of November and December training and preparing in my own way. It’s a little different than how a lot of other people go about it.”
By foregoing December races, the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (AVSC) alum got to enjoy time with family and friends, zipping around Spring Gulch when she had the chance and finding time to just relax ahead of her first race of the season: the U.S. National Cross-Country Ski Championships in Anchorage, Alaska. Oldham entered that race cautiously confident, considering she mostly trained alone and could not quite gauge her fitness.
However, because of this method, “I was able to have low expectations before the race and just shake the rust off,” she said. “It went a lot better than I expected.”
Better, indeed! The Montana State University senior executed a spectacular race and won the 10km freestyle national title at 24 minutes and 28.9 seconds, besting second-place finisher Kendall Kramer by 11.2 seconds. Later that week, Oldham placed fourth in the 20km classic and third overall.
“I had both my parents there, which was amazing, and all of my Bobcat teammates — who have been unbelievably supportive,” said Oldham. “I was surrounded by almost everybody I could have hoped for. There were a few at home who I would have liked to be there, but having my family there made everything even more special.”
The celebrations continued as the culmination of Oldham’s results launched her into the World Cup circuit, a fast-paced international race series featuring the world’s best nordic athletes. And thus, a whirlwind season took off.
World Cup debut
While preparing to compete in some of the world’s most coveted nordic ski areas, Oldham said she relied on the advice of long-time coach and AVSC Nordic Director August Teague.
“August advised me to treat this as a learning experience — to see what the next level is like [and] enjoy it,” she shared. “And the next time I go back is when it will perhaps be more appropriate to target a result. But just being able to soak it all in is an important part of the process.”
Oldham blasted onto the scene starting in 10 races across three disciplines: skate sprint, 10km interval start and 20km mass start. She posted multiple top 40 performances, including two top 20 results.
Notably, on Jan. 25 in Engadin, Switzerland, Oldham placed 19th overall in the weekend’s skate sprint. While she narrowly missed the final, she finished as the third American behind U.S. Olympians Jessie Diggins and Julia Kern, who finished 6th and 12th respectively.
“The skate sprint was really fun,” said Oldham. “It was a beautiful day, a fun course, I had great skis and everyone was in a good mood. I qualified for the heats, which I didn’t necessarily expect, skied a pretty good heat and ended up feeling hungry for more.”
Racing continued on Feb. 2 in Cogne, Italy. Oldham had a phenomenal 10km, finishing 16th and as the second American, just 90 seconds behind the winner, and her teammate, Diggins.
“It has been so great to see Kate shine,” said Teague. “Kate slid into veteran role in her first World Cup. She was completely calm and focused on her process and training. [She] trusted all of the pieces she put into place and came away with an incredible result.”
While abroad, Oldham also represented the U.S. at the Junior World Ski Championships in Schilpario, Italy, Feb. 4 to 9. Competing in three under-23 events Oldham finished 10th, 12th and 9th in the sprint skate, 10km interval start and the 4x5k mixed relay, respectively.
The final weekend of World Cup racing brought Oldham and her teammates to Falun, Sweden, where she posted two top 40 finishes in the sprint skate and 20km mass start and 43rd overall in the 10km.
A guiding community
As Oldham looks toward the FIS World Championships, she cannot help but reflect on the community that has supported her along the way. While feeling gratitude for her deep well of supporters, one name really stuck out as a mentor over the years: Roaring Fork Valley legend and Olympian Hailey Swirbul.
Recalling the first time they met, Oldham was struck by Swirbul’s kindness, as well as her commitment to the sport. Perhaps most importantly, it was Swirbul who inspired Oldham to honor her inner voice.
“It can be daunting to stray from what you think is the right thing to do based on what others have done,” said Oldham. “But what others have done might not work for you.”
Follow Oldham’s results as she competes at FIS Nordic World Ski Championships at www.tinyurl.com/KateatFIS
