Chad Salmela
Chad Salmela (photo left from Business Jyvaskyla) is a renowned coach, sports commentator and former professional athlete known for his exceptional skills in providing engaging and passionate connections with athletes and the Nordic Skiing community.
After graduating from college, Salmela embarked on a professional biathlon career and competed in various international skiing competitions. Chad represented the United States in the World Cup and the Winter Olympics. Salmela's achievements as a professional athlete added to his wealth of experience and deep understanding of competitive sports.
Following his retirement from professional skiing, Salmela turned his focus towards sports commentary. Known for his enthusiastic and energetic style, he quickly became a fan favorite. Salmela's commentary style blended detailed analysis with an infectious passion, making him a trusted and respected voice in the sports broadcasting industry.
His in-depth knowledge of the sport, coupled with his genuine love for skiing, has allowed him to provide unparalleled insight and analysis to audiences around the globe. Beyond his professional achievements, Chad Salmela is also known for his dedication to promoting endurance sports and inspiring the next generation of athletes. Salmela built and coached a national junior development program for biathlon, managed the biathlon competitions at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, and served as assistant coach and wax technician for the U.S. Junior World Championship biathlon team.
In 2006, Salmela became the first ski coach at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, where he coached for 10 years. He is now in his seventh season as the head coach of the men's and women's cross country teams at the college, where he has continued to build a strong program. Chad continues that role as Head Coach at CSS as he takes on the role of Head Coach at Team Birkie.