He has been selected to race all World Cups for the USA before Christmas. But he must pay for everything himself. The reason: he is not part of the national team, a situation he shares with three others on the World Cup squad.

32-year-old Kevin Bolger has lived in Trondheim with his Swedish partner, Maja Dahlqvist, in recent years. Now he is preparing for the World Cup premiere in Ruka.

And it will be an expensive effort for the American.

“This is completely insane,” says Maja Dahlqvist to Expressen.

Also Read – Cross-country World Cup: Complete program for Ruka

Bolger is in the same situation as Luke Jager and Zak Ketterson. JC Schoonmaker, however, who also competed in Gällivare alongside Bolger, is on the national team and therefore gets all expenses covered.

Despite seven years on the national team and more than 130 World Cup starts, plus World Championships and the Olympics, Bolger was not considered deserving of a place on the U.S. team ahead of this season. This is despite the team having A, B, and Development squads.

Also Read: U.S. cross-country ski teams nominated for the 2025/2026 season

The story continues below.

Costs thousands before Christmas

He still made the World Cup team for the early-season races – but with the drawback that he must finance everything himself.

“So now I have to pay for travel, food, waxing, a wax tech, and all of his expenses,” Bolger tells Expressen.

He estimates the total could reach up to 100,000 kroner for the period up to Christmas (approximately €9,000 or $10,000 USD).

“But it’s hard to feel like you’re really part of the team when it’s like this, when you’re forced to pay yourself to be there. While the others get paid for everything.”

The 32-year-old has no plans to quit. He wants to go to the Olympics and experience the 2027 World Championships on his new home course in Falun. Bolger represents Falun–Borlänge SK in Sweden.

Still, he is aware that finances may make things tough if he must continue paying everything himself.

“There are many American skiers who quit simply because they can’t afford to continue. And that sucks. We lose a lot of talent that way,” says Bolger.

Schoonmaker feels for Bolger

Partner Maja Dahlqvist is thankful to be part of the Swedish system.

“I’m so grateful for the system we have in Sweden when I see how things are for them.”

Teammate JC Schoonmaker spent the weekend in Gällivare with Kevin Bolger. The Ski Association covers his expenses. But he feels bad for his colleague, whom he will race alongside in Ruka.

“Kevin is one of the best skiers in the U.S. and still has to pay for the World Cup himself. So, I feel for him – it’s a financial stress,” says Schoonmaker.

“I hope the American Ski Association brings in more money, so it doesn’t have to be like this in the future. Not just for Kevin, but for upcoming talents as well.”

FACTS Ruka World Cup Season 2025/2026

• When: Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30 
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Ruka, Finland
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Ruka, Finland

PROGRAM

Friday, November 28: 10km Interval Start Classic (More details can be found HERE)

• 10:30 CET: 10km Individual C, Women
• 13:15 CET: 10km Individual C, Men

Saturday, November 29: Sprint Classic (More details can be found HERE)

• 8:55 CET: Sprint Qualify C, Women
• 8:55 CET: Sprint Qualify C, Men 
• 11:25 CET: Sprint Final C, Women 
• 11:25 CET: Sprint Final C, Men

Sunday, November 30: 20km Mass Start Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

• 10:00 CET: 20km Mass Start F, Men
• 11:45 CET: 20km Mass Start F, Women

After Ruka, the World Cup heads to Norway (Trondheim). Then, to Switzerland (Davos) and the Tour de Ski (Italy). This period is followed by competitions in January in Germany (Oberhof) and Switzerland (Goms).

Then, it’s time for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games from February 7 to 22, 2026.

After Milano-Cortina, the World Cup ends the season with weekends in Sweden (Falun), Finland (Lahti), Norway (Drammen-Oslo), and the USA (Lake Placid).

Read More: Cross-country skiing World Cup: Calendar for the 2025/2026 winter season 

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.

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