3 GRP to Milan-Cortina 2026
The Craftsbury Green Racing Project (GRP) is proud to announce that Jack Young (cross-country skiing) and Margie Freed (biathlon) have been named to the 2026 U.S. Olympic Team headed to Milano‑Cortina, Italy. GRP biathlete Jake Brown has been selected as an alternate for Team USA’s biathlon squad.
Margie Freed (Biathlon)
U.S. Biathlon named Freed to her first Olympic Team in December after a strong start to the IBU World Cup season, citing her improved shooting and a then personal best 35th in the Östersund sprint as a key objective result. She further underlined her form with her relay leg as Team USA finished 4th in the mixed relay in Nove Mesto, tying the program’s best mark in that event.
Season highlights (2025–26):
Objective selection to the U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team following World Cup Period 1.
35th, World Cup Sprint, Östersund, SWE.
4th, World Cup Mixed Relay, Nove Mesto, CZE (ties best U.S. result).
31st, World Cup 12.5k Short Individual, Nove Mesto, CZE (World Cup best result).
Jack Young (Cross‑Country Skiing)
U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Team USA named Young to the men’s cross‑country roster following a breakout 4th place in the Davos World Cup freestyle sprint (his first World Cup final) and consistent sprint‑heat appearances across the circuit. He currently sits 26th in the World Cup Sprint standings.
Season highlights (2025–26):
4th, World Cup Freestyle Sprint, Davos, SUI (first career WC final).
19th, World Cup Freestyle Sprint, Toblach, ITA.
24th, World Cup Freestyle Sprint, Oberhof, GER.
Jake Brown (Biathlon) - Alternate
Brown, a 2022 Olympian and longtime GRP athlete, was named alternate to the 2026 U.S. biathlon team after his finish at January’s time trials in Antholz, Italy.
Season notes:
IBU cup program for Winter 2026, with a season best 28th at Ridnaun, ITA in the pursuit.
Proven championship experience: 2022 Olympian (Beijing) with top‑40 individual finishes and relay 13th.
Multi‑year World Championships veteran with a 25th in the 20km Individual at 2025 Worlds (Lenzerheide) and a 5th‑place men’s relay at the 2024 World Championships (Nove Mesto).
Both Young and Freed train year‑round at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center with the Green Racing Project, an Olympic development program blending high‑performance sport with environmental stewardship and community service. While Brown has trained year-round with the GRP for years, for 2025-26 Jake was low-residency in Craftsbury, spending more of his time in Lake Placid, NY.
How to watch the GRP at the 2026 Olympics
Peacock will show the games for US viewers, starting on February 7th for XC skiing and the 8th for Biathlon.
About the Green Racing Project (GRP)
Based at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, the GRP supports elite athletes in cross‑country skiing, biathlon, running, and rowing, pairing world‑class training and coaching with tangible projects that advance the Center’s mission and environmental sustainability.