Cross-country skiing broadcasters face late nights and solo calls

With most races in Europe, North American announcers work from home in the middle of the night

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cross-country skiing broadcasters in North America, including Andrew Kastning, Chad Salmela, and Kikkan Randall, face unique challenges as they cover the sport's premier events which are held in Europe. They often have to work overnight shifts from their homes, sometimes calling races solo without the support of an analyst. Despite the late hours and demanding schedule, they remain passionate about growing the sport's audience in the U.S. and Canada.

Why it matters

Cross-country skiing has traditionally been an underappreciated sport in North America, with limited television coverage. However, increased access to livestreams and the involvement of passionate broadcasters like Kastning, Salmela, and Randall could help build interest and grow the sport's pipeline of future champions in the region.

The details

The cross-country skiing broadcasters in North America, including Andrew Kastning, Chad Salmela, and Kikkan Randall, often have to work overnight shifts from their homes to cover the sport's premier events which are held in Europe. Kastning, who is paid by the International Ski Federation, has to wake up in the middle of the night to deliver a monologue while watching a livestream, sometimes even waking up his family with his enthusiastic play-by-play. Salmela, a veteran analyst from Minnesota, also pulls these late-night shifts, and both he and Randall will be featured as commentators on NBC's national Olympics broadcast this year, though they'll be working out of an office complex in Connecticut rather than being on-site in Italy.

  • Kastning often wakes up between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday mornings to call the races.
  • Two weeks ago, Kastning woke up his family with his enthusiastic play-by-play when a fellow Alaskan, Gus Schumacher, cracked the podium in two World Cup races in Switzerland.
  • This month, Randall and Salmela will be featured as commentators on NBC's national Olympics broadcast.

The players

Andrew Kastning

A father of three in Alaska who is paid by the International Ski Federation to call an English-language broadcast of cross-country skiing events.

Chad Salmela

A former competitive biathlete and veteran analyst from Minnesota who also pulls the late-night shifts as a regular host of the English language livestream.

Kikkan Randall

The retired Olympic gold medal-winning cross-country skier who lives in Anchorage and also hosts the English language livestream.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My oldest daughter said she dreams sometimes and hears me calling the race, like: 'Jessie Diggins!'”

— Andrew Kastning (adn.com)

“An underappreciated role of the TV product is how it builds kids' dreams of being future champions. This can actually be an important piece of developing our pipeline for the future.”

— Kikkan Randall (adn.com)

“They can hook you, because they're such good storytellers, and they're so immersed in it, and they're so passionate about it — and I just feel like that's infectious. It's incumbent on us to grow our community and grow the audience.”

— Liz Arky, Strategic consultant (adn.com)

“Her content is superb. Because she's smart, and she's been one of the best at the sport — so, her perspective is well-spoken and legitimate.”

— Chad Salmela (adn.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.