S2E23. The USSS Development Watershed w/ Lizzie Larkins

What does it actually take to develop the next generation of American cross-country skiers? U.S. Ski Team Development Coach Lizzie Larkins joins Andy to break down the current development system, from junior clubs and REG camps to the National Development Group and eventually the U.S. Ski Team. Lizzie shares what she has learned traveling around the country working with developing athletes and why the pathway to the highest levels of the sport is rarely as linear as it appears.

The conversation dives into the training itself, including where American juniors are improving and where there is still work to be done. Lizzie discusses the importance of technique, why young athletes need to make smart and gradual increases in training load, and why simply doing more isn't always the answer. Drawing on her background in nutrition and food science, she also explains why developing athletes likely need to eat more than they think, the importance of building a strong nutritional foundation before worrying about supplements, and her simple philosophy: “rocket ships need rocket fuel.”

Finally, Lizzie challenges the idea of an athlete development “pipeline” and offers a different way to think about long-term development. From missing team selections and navigating college skiing to finding different routes through the sport, she explains why camps and teams should be viewed as opportunities rather than endpoints. It’s a conversation about training, coaching, community, and creating an environment where athletes can stay in the sport long enough to discover just how good they can become.