Here's the press release. Apply to Yuriy (yuriy.gusev@cxcskiing.org) before May 1st.

Central Cross Country Skiing with the support of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is pleased to announce athlete openings for CXC Ski Team. The team size will be expanded for the 2007-2008 season. CXC Team is a full time year round Olympic Development Program. The preparation period will begin in May.

Athletes must be out of college and committed full time to the program. Athletes will be selected among applicants on May 1st based on USSA points and coach’s discretion.

Athletes should provide the following information to yuriy.gusev@cxcskiing.org for the scheduling of interviews and further discussions of program objectives and benefits:

- Full name
- Age
- USSA #
- Mailing Address
- Phone Number
- E-mail Address
- Brief resume

The CXC Olympic Development Team includes full time year round professional coaching, monthly training camp structure and direct individual attention. The CXC Olympic Development Team is led by Head Coach Bryan Fish, Athletic Advisor Yuriy Gusev, Logistics Director Scott Wilson, High Performance Advisor Igor Badamshin and CXC’s sports science support group of nutrition scientist, physical therapist and exercise physiologist.

CXC Ski Team Vision: The vision of CXC Team is to close the gap between junior and senior athlete’s development by providing professional world class training and coaching opportunities. The vision objectives are critical elements toward the drive for the USSA achievement of Cross Country Olympic podiums by 2010 and Olympic Gold by 2014.

CXC Ski Team Mission: The mission of CXC Team is to make the vision a reality by selecting, training and supporting a team of world-class athletes and by involving those athletes in the regional ski communities. The team will deliver role models, ski specific education and motivational support for young athletes throughout the Central Region.