On this episode of Endurance Unlimited, host Dirk Friel sits down with rising star Cam Smith, professional trail runner and ski mountaineering athlete who's just qualified for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan Cortina. Together, they dig into the strategy and preparation behind Team USA’s dramatic World Cup victory in Solitude, Utah—which not only put the U.S. a ticket to the Games for Skimo, but also set the stage for what’s next in this fast-evolving sport.

Cam Smith shares his journey from ultra-endurance races to the high-intensity, quick-transition world of ski mountaineering, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the training philosophies, mistakes to avoid, and the unique demands of mixed relay competition. You’ll hear how he leverages both running and skiing to fuel his performance, and get an inside look at how emerging talent like Anna Gibson is shaking up the U.S. team.

00:00 "Mixed Relay Racing Strategies"

03:32 "Qualifying on Home Soil"

07:50 "Trail Running Meets Skiing"

12:44 "Balancing Racing Seasons and Goals"

15:41 "Short Turnaround: Leveraging Speed"

17:45 Training for Steep Mountain Racing

22:48 "Injuries, Adaptation, and Focus"

24:39 Future Trail Racing Plans

29:30 "Building a Strong Skimo Team"

31:26 "Join Our Thriving Federation"

36:50 "Pacing Strategies in Racing"

38:38 Downhill Training for Racing Success

43:02 "Post-Season Training Reset"

45:19 "Skimo's Impact and Future"

48:40 "Inspiring the Next Generation"

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