QUEUE THAT QUEEN SONG. The Ski Sprites are officially DII champions following their success at the 2026 national tournament, held earlier this month. Winning this year's event is particularly sweet, after last year's second place finish.

Eau Claire’s own Ski Sprites left this year’s 25th Division II Show Ski National Championship with armfuls of awards – including the top trophy, earning the team championship status. 

The event, held from Aug. 1-2 in Loves Park, Ill., included four teams from around the Midwest. Host team Ski Broncs were joined by the Ski Sprites, the Silver Lake Ski Club from Michigan and the Arch Rivals team from Missouri.

The Ski Sprites team and individuals earned first- and second-place titles across numerous categories. In some of those, the local team won by dozens of points, including the “Overall Show” category – winning by over 50 points – as well as “Showmanship” and “Production” by over 40 points each.

“These are truly home-grown champions.”

MICHELE SKINNER

CHAIRPERSON, LAKE ALTOONA DISTRICT BOARD

The 2026 Ski Sprites team, pictured, celebrating their big championship win. (Submitted photo)

Locals surely know the Ski Sprites for its longtime presence in the Chippewa Valley – the team was founded in 1960 and now operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization – and regular summertime shows at Lake Altoona. (The team called Half Moon Beach its home until 2006 when it relocated to Lake Altoona Beach.)

Each summer season comes with a new theme for the Ski Sprites. Previous years' themes have included "Alvin and the Chipmunks" (pictured), "Road Trip Across the USA," "SKI-S.I.," among others.

Michele Skinner, the Lake Altoona district chairperson, shared a media release following the Ski Sprites’ winning weekend.

“These are truly home-grown champions,” Skinner wrote. “We watch them practice on our lake, perform from our beach and represent our community. Now they’ve taken that talent, hard work and teamwork all the way to a national title.”

The Ski Sprites have five more local shows slated for this summer, including tonight's special “River Show,” slated to begin at 6pm at The Lake Hallie Sportsmans Club and River Jams (2940 109th St., Chippewa Falls).

Keep up with the Ski Sprites on Facebook or learn more at www.skisprites.com. View the full results from the 2026 Division II National Championship tournament online.