Marion Elmquist, chair of this year’s SFL and vice president of the organization, said everything went right. Colorado’s having a boon year with 18’ of snow, so the snow was great at Snow Mountain Ranch, and race day was a perfect Colorado day– warm enough for lots of people to be at the finish line cheering everyone who came in.
The week was jam-packed with skiing, social activities, good food, entertainment, Norway Night, lots of hugs – a SFL tradition – and good cheer. Simply a super time for everyone.
Scott McCall of Atlanta, Georgia was presented the Bjorn Eikevik President’s Award for his outstanding service to SFL since 1976. Scott was a past president of SFL and this year, he co-chaired the guide training with Doug Boose. The traveling award is a pewter drinking horn given to SFL by the Norwegians to give to a deserving person(s) for their hard work and dedication in working for and improving Ski for Light.
The Jan Haug Award – a ski package given to a first-time skier who guide trainers think is enthusiastic about the sport and will continue to enjoy it – was presented to Margaret Zalenska of Alexandria, Virginia.
The official SFL team members selected to attend the Ridderenn in Norway in March were Guides John Amundson of Marshall, Minnesota and John Olnes of Anchorage, Alaska, and Skiers Larry Showalter of Bellevue, Washington and Kathy Strahn of Brae, California.
The fastest skier was 33 year-old Robin Smithtro of Louisville, Colorado, who was guided by 6-time guide John Soucheray of Shoreview, Minnesota.
Skier and Federal Judge Richard Casey did the honors of marrying first time VIP Terri Bowen and guide Rick Lindstrom, both of Tallahassee, Florida. There was hardly a dry eye among the guests as Terri and Rick tied the knot on Friday night in front of the fireplace in the lobby at The Inn at Silver Creek.
Only five Norwegians attended this year – Svein Thorstensen, Sigurd Dalen, Reidar Brustad, Anne Berg and skier Annete Døskj. The speakers at Norway Night were Sons of Norway Fraternal Director, Eivind Heiberg and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Norwegian Embassy, Rune Reseland.
SFL has the mission of teaching blind, visually impaired and mobility impaired adults how to cross country-ski. It is modeled on Norway’s Ridderenn, and since its inception in 1975, has become the most prominent and successful event of its type in the United States.