IGOR BADAMSHIN COACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Recognizing Excellence in Coaching

The spirit of Igor Badamshin lives on in the hearts and minds of CXC coaches and athletes. Each year CXC recognizes one of its great coaches with the Igor Badamshin Coaching Excellence Award.

Igor Badamshin was a coach who inspired athletes with his passion and positive example. A World Championship medalist himself, Badamshin grew up racing in the Soviet Union and Russia. But his greatest joy came from coaching in America. From his home in New England to the trails of the Central Region, where he worked with the likes of Jessie Diggins and other great CXC athletes, Badamshin brought adventure, fun, skill, and motivation. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2014, suffering a heart attack while enjoying a ski day.

This year’s recipient of the Igor Badamshin Coach of the Year Award goes to CAITLIN GREGG - a driving force behind the creation of TEAM BIRKIE, the newest professional cross country ski team in the Central region.

Not only are Caitlin’s personal achievements in the sport undoubtedly legendary as an Olympian and World Championships medalist, but she has also left her mark in the coaching world. Caitlin has been an integral part of collegiate summer programming with The Loppet Foundation, and brings a wealth of experience to train athletes to the highest level. In her first year with Team Birkie, she coached Zak Ketterson to a gold medal in the first ever World Cup mixed relay and to a spot on the U.S Ski Team. Caitlin’s athletes have referred to her as the energizer bunny: ready to go every day, and always doing it with a smile. 


Past Award Recipients:

• Kevin Brochman (2019)
• BethAnn Chamberlain (2018)
• Kris Hansen (2017)
• Sten Fjeldheim (2016)
• Piotr Benarski (2015)