SKIING
LEGACIES
By Rosvita Wolk
The story is written on
* * *
MOOSE?! …Can it be?
Are you
thinking about a great big animal just barely missing my car? No, it is Moose
Barrows, who
medaled in the 1964Olympics in
“How are you doing?”
“Very well, thank you, it is so good to see you, how are the boys?”
“Who is this with you?”
“This is
Bert's son, Andreas, who skies high school at
The Annual
NASTAR Nationals draw more than a thousand skiers to enter this prestigious
event. Races go on for two days in age
groups from 1-4 all the way up to the oldest competitor age 90. Competitors hope to win medals as well as
prizes from generous sponsors like
It is a
privilege to participate in
It has been an exciting race series, with prominent Olympians setting the pace times for us amateurs.
NASTAR has been called a recreational ski racing program, yet if you watch the intensity of the participants, you might call it a magnificent obsession that drives them to excel in the sport of ski racing.
The little 5-6 year olds carve turns down the "Vogue Course" posting times competitive with their parents. And the 85 year old woman who ran the course just once was satisfied with her time, and exclaimed, "Now lets go and find some of that great champagne powder!"
Steamboat Springs is the host of the NASTAR competition for the third year and they provide race crew volunteers to staff the multiple disciplines. Platinum and Gold contestants tear up the Vogue, See Me, and See Ya runs, Silver and Bronze race on Sitz and Bashor. There is bubbly excitement and great camaraderie among the racers who return. “Once you start, you are hooked,” said one of the competitors!
Phil Mahre, three times World Cup overall Winner and Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist addressed the crowd and praised the excitement. He finished with the words "Winning is great, but keep in mind, you learn so much more from losing!"
Prior to our
drive from the sister cities
For us
NASTAR racers ski racing is a fun part of our lives, compared to the pace
setters who needed to make a new life choice after retiring from their top
racing "jobs." Debbie
Armstrong, Gold medalist in
"How is
life after World Cup Racing?” I ask Olympian Kristina Koznik,
the newly retired Slalom Specialist who grew up in
My son Chad went on to race World Cup before leading the Colorado University Ski Team to winning NCAA's, where sister Jenni joined also to help the team excel.
The two days of NASTAR racing culminates in the Race of Champions of all the Gold Medal Winners of all the Disciplines. They race one more run hoping to become the National NASTAR champion. I came in second, which was difficult to accept, but now I can be fully attentive to watching. The level of racing in all age groups is phenomenal, and I am glad to be an observer.
There is a podium set up in the finish and as the racers come through, the best adjusted handicap earns a place in the sun. A few racers have stepped up and now my heart starts pounding harder as I look up to see my grandson starting on the course.
He won the 15-16 year old division in the Platinum level. His Dad started racing NASTAR at age 10, and competed in Steamboat last year in the 35 year old division. “Great skiing,” I think, as the youngster carves his turns. “Oops a bauble, hang in there… Oops, another slip. Make it through the finish!”
Disappointment marks his face, and having watched many ski races of his uncle and aunt, I know enough to wait a bit before addressing him.
Having voiced high expectations for this race, I had told him earlier, “Aspire high, but accept the outcome.”
"Andreas, I'd like you to meet Billy Kidd, Olympic medalist in the 1964 Games and still enjoying skiing."
"Hi", answers the young man timidly, while I snap a photo hearing Billy's approval for my grandson. Introducing these successful ski racers is but one of my "gifts" to Andreas.
"Andreas" this is a blind skier, he came down this difficult course with his guide.”
“Congratulations!” we say in awe.
Last but not least, we commend a man his forties and naively I ask which discipline he raced in. "I won the Disabled group" the man answers humbly. "May I ask what your physical handicap is?"
"Yes, of course, I have no legs; I am wearing two artificial ones."
Instantly, I am awed, and grateful for my able body. Many injuries of my family have healed sufficiently.
I will remember these two courageous persons whenever I get disgruntled with life's tough moments, and even at times of minor trouble. I will remember their smiles of joy, confidence, and grateful acceptance of themselves, proving that that is what “success” is!
It was fun
to meet Moose again and exchange memories of the former recreational race, the
"Family Equitable", where both my sons Bert and
But the best memories of the 2008 NASTAR Nature Valley National Championships will be less about winning medals and more about the many "booster shots" for positive living we were privileged to experience.
-- © Rosvita Wolk
La Crescent,