Australia wins gold at World Masters Cross Country Skiing Championships

Aussie Masters skier Alina McMaster has won gold in the 10km Freestyle at the World Masters Cross Country Skiing Championships.

Hailing from Jindabyne, McMaster won the race in a time of 27 minutes and 20 seconds, beating German Irene Schroll by just over three seconds, with Italian Lucia Bianchetti Calandry coming in third almost 27 seconds later. 

Snow trail conditions were cold and fast on a sunny afternoon. After the race, Alina said: “After all these years I’ve only just discovered the World Masters. I’m so excited to have done so well and with such a large Aussie team supporting me, including of course my amazing family. 

“This event is so much fun. I’m hooked and will be coming back for more. It really is a great event for all levels of skiers,” she said.

Alina was racing as part of the 30 strong Australian Masters team at the Masters World Cup 2026, in Sappada - Forni Avoltri, located in the Italian Dolomites about two and a half hours drive north of Venice. 

Her husband, Tom Landon-Smith, and sons Archie and Jackson, were there to cheer her on and celebrate the win. 

Back in Australia, Alina runs an events business, is a K7 Ski School cross country instructor at Perisher and is a coach for the Australian Para cross country ski team. 

Alina’s win is the first time Australia has won a Masters World Cup Medal since 2006.