ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – The University of Alaska Anchorage ski team has announced the addition of three Nordic skiers for the 2026-27 season.
Chase Laker
Kasilof, Alaska
Chase finished second in the 7.5-kilometer interval start freestyle race and third in the 10-kilometer mass start classic race at the 2026 Junior Nationals in Cable, Wis. He finished second in the 5-kilometer interval start freestyle race and fourth in the 7.5-kilometer mass start classic race at the Alaska State High School Championships.
"I am thrilled that Chase Laker chose to stay in Alaska and join the Seawolves," said associate head coach Trong Flagstad. "He is an up and coming talented junior from the Kenai peninsula, and we are excited to help him reach his full potential at UAA."
Aria Grandi
Canmore, British Columbia
Aria finished ninth in the freestyle sprint at the Canadian Olympic Trials in Sovereign Lake, British Columbia. She posted a pair of top-10 finishes at Canadian Nationals in 2026 finishing seventh in the freestyle sprint and 10th in the 10-kilometer classic. Aria placed sixth in the 20-kilometer mass start freestyle race at the Canadian Junior Nationals in 2026.
"Aria Grandi is another young talent coming out of Canmore, British Columbia," said Flagstad. "Aria is a very strong sprinter and with sprinting being a new race at the NCAA's in 2027, we are excited to add some sprinty power to our team. We are looking forward to helping Aria take the final steps up on the podium in sprint racing and improve her distance skier to become a better all-around skier."
Tuva Svindland
Tønsberg, Norway
Tuva finished second at the Gala opening classic sprint and third in the sprint prolog at the Norwegian National Championships in 2025-26. She finished third 10-kilometer mass start classic race at the Norwegian Cup Final in Hovden and fourth in the classic sprint at the Norwegian Cup in Molde. In 2023-24 she posted four podium finishes, winning the 5-kilometer classic at the Norwegian Cup in Lillehammer and finished second in the classic sprint in Granasen. Tuva twice finished third in the freestyle sprints at the Norwegian Cup in Skeikampen and Lygna.
"Tuva comes from Norway with lots of experience racing some of the fastest juniors in the world," said Flagstad. "We are thrilled to have her join our team this fall. Our women's team made great progress this year with some strong individual performances. We believe Tuva can help the team continue to improve going into the 26-27 season."
