Maine Sunday Telegram - SKIING
February 2006
"Handicapped Skiing has No Boundaries for Veterans”  “There
are so many Veterans who were injured and have become secluded. They
don’t get outside anymore since their service,” said Paul Raishe of
Sugarloaf, who served in Vietnam from 1966-70. “It is such a great
experience to get out and experience skiing with the help of the
wonderful volunteers at
Maine Handicapped
Skiing (MHS).” Raishe is in a wheelchair, but on snow he can glide down the hill in a sit-ski with the help of a guide on a tether. Raishe got involved with Sugarloaf’s Handicapped ski program last year, but traveled to Sunday River earlier this month for Maine Handicapped Skiing’s first ever “Veterans/No Boundaries” program. At age 63, Raishe said, “I believe once a veteran tries this program, it will change their attitude and change their life. Some people come back from war and they are physically limited and then they become shut in and stop doing things.” Wendy Iseman, MHS’s Director of Development at Sunday River, said, “This is our first year (of the Veterans Program) and we are starting small with the goal to grow. One of our limitations is not enough handicap accessible lodging at Sunday River.” In this month’s inaugural, 16 veterans participated in the four-day program of adaptive skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the resort. Veteran Herb Williams of Portland was able to snowshoe 3.5 miles at Sunday River, a major accomplishment for a man with debilitating brain and leg injuries. “I would not have tried doing this without this program, I did not have the confidence or the support otherwise. I am so fortunate to have heard about No Boundaries,” said Williams. “It is marvelous to be outdoors walking through the woods on snowshoes; I made it all the way to a beautiful covered bridge. It felt great.” Williams served in the Air Force from 1969-73 during the Vietnam era. “Here at Maine Handicapped, the Volunteers are just wonderful, they set the example. They show compassion and understanding that you wouldn’t find in a regular ski area base lodge. Their support and adaptive equipment helps to build your confidence so you can get out and do things you didn’t think were possible,” said Williams. “Being with other Veterans also makes this interesting,” Williams said. “We talk to each other, we move into our experience as Veterans slowly because it can be difficult to discuss the challenges that we have been through. This No Boundaries program should help a lot of vets in the future.” “Meeting other fellows who have served in the Armed Forces is a great part of this ski experience, some of the fellows go back to World War II and they are getting older – but a program like Maine Handicapped brings new life and keeps them active by getting them back outside,” said Raishe. “We all had dinner together after skiing, we found we would much rather talk about skiing than our time at war.” Raishe said the ski program included some veterans who served in Iraq and Bosnia. Iseman said, “Our ultimate goal is to reach out to recent Veterans. There are a lot of serious injuries from our recent conflicts; we want to offer our program to those Veterans just out of rehab. We were told by other veteran organizations not to get discouraged, that programs like these take time and that rehab is a long process for recently disabled veterans. We want to get the word out that this program exists and that we are looking for any veterans who want to ski or snowboard.” Raishe predicts that the No Boundaries program will be very popular. “Being in its first year, I know this program is going to mushroom. Maine Handicapped is doing such good work and there are so many veterans who could enjoy life more by getting out and trying skiing.”
Whoever is to blame, Mother Nature, Global warming, the Polar Coaster, or local meteorologists (that’s a joke); this winter has been wacky. Snowmakers have been putting in overtime; snowmobilers and cross-country skiers have taken up hunting – for white trails. As we enter school vacation week, Maine skiers just want natural snow to play in. It doesn’t seem like too much to ask when you live in the northernmost New England state. What is up with this winter, besides the barometer? Meteorologist Matt Zidle said this winter has been warm not just in Maine but across the nation; even Fargo recorded its warmest January ever. Zidle (a skier himself) said, “Our pattern has finally changed to more seasonable weather and vacation week will be cold and dry, with a few shots of snow, which is encouraging for skiers.” Bill Swain, communications director of Sugarloaf, said, “We've certainly had our challenges with the weather, and we've resurfaced trails, but we plan for that. We're committed to making sure conditions are as good as they can be, so if that requires us to keep making snow, that's what we'll do.” Shawnee Peak has made snow at every opportunity since Dec. 1, according to Melissa Rock, communications director. Rock said, “I have people coming up to me all the time, truly shocked at how good conditions continue to be. With snowmaking on going, we plan on getting more terrain open for the Holiday week.” At Sunday River, VP of Operations Marvin Collins said, “The style of snowmaking we do this time of year is different than in the early season. Early on we make snow for a few days on a trail to bury it deep. During the first half of February we're moving to six, seven, sometimes ten new trails every night. In one week of these temps we cover almost all of our major routes with fresh snow. It's a large resort, but we pride ourselves on making it good from side to side no matter what the weather brings." Josh Burns, owner of Mt. Abram, said day traffic is down this season. “Core skiers are skiing and they are continually amazed at how good the skiing is. They understand the challenges we have faced, but that there is good skiing to be had.” Burns said that man-made snow actually lasts longer than natural snow but the adage “if you build it, they will come does not always apply.” Craig Zerhorst at Black Mountain in Rumford said, “Skier visits are down at Black, but our season pass holders are coming and finding the conditions are excellent.” Patty Carrier at Saddleback said, “Hopefully people will realize that even though there has been a lack of snow in Portland, there is plenty at Saddleback. Skiers that come report excellent skiing. We have run the snowmaking guns whenever the temps allow; for re-surfacing, and for creating more terrain features." Jeff Kuller, General Manager at Camden Snow Bowl, said, “Like everyone else, it has been a tough winter and we know our last best chance to help fill the gap will be during this week. We are really gearing up for vacation week here at the Snow Bowl by making a bunch more snow.” Kuller said local inns are offering 25% discounted lift tickets. Greg Sweetser, executive director of Ski Maine, reported that Lonesome Pine Trails in Fort Kent has the most natural snowfall in Maine with huge snow banks, and 100% of cross-country skiing open. Willie Charles, general manager at Big Squaw, said it has been a difficult year with several rain events and only the lower mountain triple chair working. The Greenwood ski area hopes to be open vacation week with more natural snow. Lost Valley’s co-owner Diane Moreau said, “We do indeed have snow. The snow guns are roaring around the clock.” During the school vacation, Lost Valley will host a Ski or Snowboard Camp for kids that wish to take up the sport. Lost Valley will also continue their vacation week tradition of fun themes each day and prizes given for the best costumes. Swain reported that Sugarloaf still has lodging available for vacation week, and the remaining inventory is being offered at a great deal. Sugarloaf hosts daily aprčs ski bonfires and tubing for families, plus a torchlight parade and fireworks on Tuesday. Sunday River also has limited lodging space available and special events include fireworks Thursday, and weekend concerts. At Shawnee Peak, Thursday’s 19th annual Family Fest is a family favorite with on snow games, a Family Fun Race, Horse-drawn sleigh rides, and cartoon characters on snow including Slugger the Sea Dog. Mt. Abram will host all the usual family highlights this week, including the Cardboard Box Sled races on Monday, and the popular Ski Patrol Auction on Saturday. Saddleback holds its fundraising Patrol Dinner and Torchlight Parade on Thursday. On the bright side, we skipped the typical January below zero zap, even donned sunscreen and sunglasses on the slopes in early February (usually a spring skiing activity). One Portland area golf course opened on Jan. 20. Some cynics have written winter off entirely. Not me. I believe in the power of powder thinking. So do the ski area operators, as they keep spinning the lifts and churning out the machine-made snow. Don’t give up on winter; March and April can be the snowiest months in Maine. Get out on the slopes this week, and just say no to those who say, “no snow.”
"Maine's snowboard cross champion debuts at Olympics” Snowboard cross (SBX) is like an on-snow fire drill with four snowboarders, racing through gates that are peppered with rolls, embankments and jumps. There are no style points awarded, just first to finish wins and moves onto the next heat. It is exciting to watch, with occasional bumping and bristling of racers as they jockey to be the last man standing. Sugarloaf-raised Seth Wescott makes his Olympic debut in SBX in Italy, Feb. 16. But Wescott is no stranger to competition. This 1994 CVA alum is the reigning titleholder; having won last winter’s World Championship in Whistler (racing with a torn knee ligament and 13 stitches from an injury the week prior). Heavily medaled in the new sport of SBX, Wescott has three National Championships and seven X-Game medals, plus numerous Grand Prix and World Cup podiums. But he has never made it to the big dance –neither has his favorite format of riding. “Seth has been working toward this for a long time, it is 20 years of evolution,” said Seth’s father, Jim Wescott, a collegiate track and field coach, skier and snowboarder. He said he would not miss going to Italy to watch his son. Back in 1984, Jim Wescott watched from his new color TV as Joan Benoit, whom he had coached, won Olympic Gold in Los Angeles. Seth was eight years old then, and had just started ski racing. Seth’s skiing began at age 3, and he has excelled at every sport since including skateboarding, biking, kayaking and soccer. At age 10, Seth switched to snowboarding. Wescott’s father explained that Seth preferred the less rigid format of halfpipe competitions to ski racing, but missed the Nagano Olympics in ’98 due to injury, and did not make the cut for the 2002 Games in Salt Lake. Seth moved into snowboardcross because he likes that is cut and dry and not subjective to judges,” Jim Wescott said. “It’s all about who is first across the finish. He’s also tall (at 6’2”) and very powerful, which is advantageous.” “I know Seth adores speed, he always has, I try not to worry about him, but he is very precious to me,” said Margaret Gould Wescott. “He has been taking sports to the limit since he was little. He comes from an athletic family (his father is a coach, his mother is a dancer) so he is very athletic but he is also very smart, so I don’t worry about him competing, especially compared to his big mountain free-riding trips each summer in Alaska. Then I worry about avalanche danger.” Wescott’s riding in the Alaskan Chugach Range involves being dropped by helicopter on remote glaciers in untracked, un-chartered steeps with a Polaroid for a trail map. Seth’s mother said she still thinks about the death of snowboard world champion Craig Kelly in a British Columbia avalanche in 2003. Jim Wescott said, “Seth pushes himself during his annual Alaskan heli-adventures, so that he is mentally confident and physically strong in the starting gate and he has tremendous endurance. Getting ahead of the pack is key in SBX and that is one of Seth’s strengths.” Margaret Gould Wescott said, “Seth’s goal is gold. But he is having fun with it, which is also a goal of his. He is very good friends with French snowboarder Xavier Delarue, so I hope that they compete in the finals.” She said Seth ultimately looks forward to returning to live at Sugarloaf where he has bought land, and is partner in a brewpub called The Rack. “He has traveled all over the world and has made some really great friends from other countries, but Sugarloaf is home to Seth.” Jim Wescott said, “I am proud of Seth’s athletic accomplishments, but I am also proud of how he works hard to meet his peripheral obligations. He speaks in front of big audiences as part of his sponsorship agreements, companies like Nike and Visa, and his message is very inspirational. He delivered a commencement address at CVA that just blew me away. I am very proud that Seth is representing his country at this Olympics.” Wescott’s parents will be watching his debut live in Italy. Meanwhile, back in the Carrabassett Valley and across Maine, TVs will be tuned in to watch Seth go for gold on Feb. 16.
"Parents of Olympians know the risks and rewards” Imagine watching these Maine-trained skiers compete live, pushing the limits and risking injury. Now imagine you are their parents. It’s not just medals at stake; it is your baby out there. I spoke to a few parents of Carrabassett Valley Academy graduates as they were preparing for their journey to Italy to watch their kids compete in the Winter Games. “Clearly I have a sense of anxiety as Emily launches off the kicker,” said Don Cook, father of U.S. Aerialist and ‘97 CVA grad. “But once she is in the air I have a sense of relief. I have seen enough jumps in the past decade to know a good one. I know how seriously you can be injured.” Cook watched the 2002 Olympics with his daughter by his side; Emily was in a wheelchair at the time, having shattered both feet landing a jump just two weeks before the Utah Games. Don Cook said he secured his tickets to Italy nine months ago. “I thoroughly believed in Emily, that she would be representing her country at these Olympics. She made declarations at age 13 that she would be an Olympian. This is a culmination of many years, of taking her dream and setting goals, and overcoming tremendous obstacles. Some people wondered if Emily would walk properly again after her injuries. So it is with enormous honor and satisfaction that she will walk out with her teammates at Opening Ceremonies and she will perform to the best of her abilities.” What does a parent say to their child as he or she prepares to speed down an icy racecourse at 70 M.P.H.? “Be careful dear?” “We don’t give Kirsten advice any more,” said George Clark of Raymond, father of U.S. Ski Team member Kirsten Clark. “But we will be in Italy at the Olympics. Some of our friends say they can’t watch their kids race, they say they actually close their eyes.” Kirsten’s mother Joan said, “You have to give up control as a parent and just watch, you know she has done all the hard work and preparation, so you just hope for the best.” The Clarks admit that it isn’t always easy to watch their 28-year old daughter when she “puts the hammer down” as George refers to Kirsten’s speed skiing in Super G and Downhill. “We worry more about her after her bad accident two years ago. But we also know that she went 10 years without any incident,” George Clark said. Parents of Olympians know the risk of injury is palpable. Clark’s teammate, Caroline Lalive, injured her knee during downhill training Jan. 26 in Italy, dashing her opportunity to compete in these Olympics. Kirsten Clark, who graduated from CVA in ‘95, suffered a season ending crash during a January 2004 World Cup in Austria. It has been a long road back regaining her strength and confidence. This will be Kirsten’s 3rd Olympics, having raced at Nagano in ‘98 and Salt Lake City in ’02. Her published Ski Team goals include top three in Downhill and Super G in Torino. Joan Clark said, “Her ultimate goal is to get on the podium, back where she was before the crash. People never remember who places 5th or 20th. Our country only celebrates winners. As a parent, what I want is for things to go well, for her to be healthy so that she can do her best and feel good about her result. I know how there are so many factors that effect each racer, even the weather.” Emily Cook’s father attends every one of her competitions. Her mother died when she was two. Don Cook said he has learned to be positive with Emily, never negative, “I don’t ask her how she’s feeling, I know she has pain and she pushes through it.” Cook’s consistent advice to his daughter Emily: Have fun, be safe, and jump well. “I know that if all three things happen, it is a great day. And at the Olympics, ultimately she will be a medal contender.” You should join these proud parents and watch with baited breath as Emily Cook twists and flips in the air, and Kirsten Clark and Samuel Miller speed their way to the podium. Haven’t you heard of Samuel Miller? The ’96 CVA alum is looking to haul medals in Torino. Nicknamed Bode, Miller has been a hot potato, tossing controversial off snow comments to complement his wild style in the gates. They say on the U.S. Ski Team, Miller is like the kid who won’t eat his vegetables. His story continues to be eaten up in Europe and more recently grabbing covers and headlines in the U.S. Maybe all this Miller time will result in more Americans tuning in at race time. Skiing has historically fallen well behind ice dancing in the ratings.
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"Snowmakers
get ready for winter vacation”