Rebecca Davis and Ryan Harris win MI Cup Champion Freestyle

Tue, Feb  3, 2026 - By Mike Muha

It was cold! Uphills were a chore of resistance! Downhills were freezing adventures. But the skies were blue and beautiful, and the trail groomed to perfection.

The 15km Forbush Freestyle / Michigan Cup Freestyle Championship used most of the Forbush Corner trail system, starting with the long gentle climb up to Home Run Hill, then the big climbs on the Back 40, onto Cry Baby, the Badlands, and finally Home Run Hill.

Rebecca Davis (Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop) dominated the women, finishing first in 52:27. Elizabeth Callison (University of Michigan) hung in there to take second in 55:29, with the Cross Country Ski Headquarters' Mariah Frye finishing out the top three in 58:06.

The gaps were a bit closer for the men. Ryan Harris (Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop) skied away to finish more the a minute and a half in front of Danny Medina, 45:17 to 46:52. Eric Parrott (Grand Rapids Nordic Ski Team) just beat Michael Davis  (Hanson Hills / Cross Country Ski Shop) by one second to grab third place in 47:28.

In the 5km Freestyle, Ava Higley (Crystal Community Ski Club) took a commanding lead to win in 17:26. Elodie Benac (Soo Finnish Nordic) was second in 21:26, with Cross Country Ski Headquarters' Shirel Temkin third in 28:43.

Walter Armstrong took first for the males, also in 17:26, battling it out in a photo finish with Ava Higley. Charlie May and Rayne Newmister (Team NordicSkiRacer) fought it out for the next two places, with May taking second in 21:13 and Newmister third in 21:27.

Everyone earned one of those "famous chocolate chip cookies" at the finish!

See everyone's finish: 2026 Forbush Freestyle - Michigan Cup Freestyle Championship Results (PDF)