| Katherine
Himes has been ski racing for seventeen years. She began racing in
high school, and lengthened her race distance to marathons during collegiate
skiing at the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Highlights of her ski career include: 1996 Junior Olympics, 2nd place in the classic division of the Birkebeiner, 2nd place at Mora Vasaloppet, winning a race at the Badger State Games, and competing on three 24 hour relay teams in Canada. Favorite places to ski: Baker Park; Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec; West Yellowstone; Crow-Hassan; and, of course, Theodore Wirth. While not skiing, Katherine enjoys running marathons, road biking with her husband, and strength training with Piotr Bednarski's training groups. |
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Dave Nelson
Skinnysky Race Team
| David Nelson took his non-standard
training practices to a new level this summer. In addition to repeatedly
climbing the stairs of their new home while working on the interior, he
also started doing long-distance, high-speed rollerskiing. After training
weekly with Josie, her sister Siri and husband Ben, they all completed
the 50 mile bike tour in Mora. Josie was quick to remind Dave that he didn't
technically complete the event, since he wasn't on a bike. Dave is confident
this will be his best season ever, since their garden produced a record
crop of potatoes, his favorite fuel for training and racing.
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Josie Nelson
Skinnysky Race Team
| If you have met Josie on the ski trails, you will probably agree that she is one of the friendliest, most exuberant skiers you'll find. If you haven't met her, listen for her chatting, encouraging others, or just singing as she skis. Josie prefers the classical technique, because she finds it "easier to ski next to someone." This year Josie is looking forward to skiing in the HolmenkollenMarsjen classical marathon in Norway, where there will be thousands of new skiers to meet. Hope you're working on your Norwegian, Josie! |
Grant Nelson
Skinnysky Race Team
| Grant Nelson is an athlete & dentist in Duluth, MN. During the non-skiing months, Grant enjoys lots of variety in his training including, canoeing, hiking, running, kayaking, rollerskiing, house-building, ... The house-building activity has been interfering recently with some of his other passions & often times provides very little ski specific training. With winter, however, skiing tends to take priority over most other things. Grant competes in most of the large local ski races, but likes the idea of racing to train, rather than training to race. | .jpg) |
Bryan Wickenhouser (aka Wick)
Crested Butte, Co
| -
34 years old and originally from Wisconsin. Having grown up playing soccer
and Alpine ski racing, it was a natural move out to Colorado for
me after college. I’ve been a member of an adventure racing team, Team
Solomon/Crested Butte for the last 5 years. My specialties are mtn.
biking, trail running and the behind the scenes business end of the
team. I run my own small business, so it affords me the time to set my
own schedule for training & work, while managing the team's business
end of things. If I'm not working in the Winter, its a safe bet I'm out
skiing! Skiing lately for me has meant a lot more Randonee racing,
with a base of XC skiing. I am a board member at the Crested Butte
Nordic Center for the last five years and have been with Fast Wax for the
last four. My goal for the 2008 Winter is to be named to the United
States Ski Mountaineering team that will be competing over in Switzerland
at the World Championships.
For more information about myself and my team go to www.teamcrestedbutte.com Think Snow! |
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Andy Schakel
| I was first introduced to nordic skiing when I was 9 years old after moving to MN from Missouri. My first race was through the Bill Koch Youth Ski league and after that . . . I was hooked. I skied for Stillwater High School and then the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. I currently enjoy competing at local citizen ski and running races. I get support from Atomic and Fastwax, and I train with the Vakava Race Team through Finn Si Su. I am also a new member of Team Synergy through Endurance Athletes. I try to balance my life among work, family and play. In my prior life, I worked as a physical therapist but then decided to go to medical school. I am currently completing my residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation through the U of MN. Most of all, I am happily married and glad to be in MN with family and friends – loving life! |  |
John Stamm
Afton MN.
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Wynn Roberts
Grand
Rapids MN.
| I am 19 years old and from the town of Battle Lake MN. I have a younger brother and sister. My family has been skiing since I was 9 years old. My favorite place to ski is Spidahls Ski Gard near Fergus Falls MN. I am also a member of the Fergus Falls Rifle club. My hobbies include skiing, biking, hiking, shooting. The best expierence I've had in skiing is the chance to go to Argentina. This will be my 3rd year on the junior national team for biathlon. My favorite race todo in MN is the Black Lake Loppet do to it's "sweet" style. You have to eat a donut and have a coffee half way through the race. It also starts in a time back style so the finish is usually a sprint of all abilities. Currently I've been attending the Fergus Fall Community college. |  |
Dave Christopherson
Nikolai Anikin
Duluth MN.
Don Pollari
Salt Lake
City, UT.
| Don Pollari started skiing at the age of 4, spending his most enjoyable winter days at Mont du Lac ski area outside of Duluth. He alpine raced competitively through college at the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Montana. After moving back to the Midwest from Montana he took up cross country skiing and now only occasionally, if ever, rides a ski lift. In 1996 he moved to Salt Lake City and (flatlander that he is) is still striving to fully adapt to high altitude nordic racing. A perennial highlight is making the Birkebeiner pilgrimage. With a beautiful new daughter in the household Don is soon to make a planned transition from career to stay-at-home Dad. Many kilometers will be put on the child chariot next ski season. |  |