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Cross country skiing has a bright future
Capacity crowds push men to best overall showing
By Jesse Hyde
Deseret News staff writer
SOLDIER HOLLOW — Competitors usually outnumber spectators at cross country ski races in the United States.
Fortunately for the U.S. team, that didn't happen at Soldier Hollow during the Olympics. Capacity crowds pushed the U.S. men's team to its best overall Olympics ever.
John Bauer, skiing in his last Olympics, led the way with two top-20 finishes, including a 12th place finish in the 15km classic race, the best men's result since 1976.
The men's relay team had its best Olympics finish ever, finishing fifth, and three skiers besides Bauer also had a top-25 finish.
"Having the Olympics here has sort of raised the bar for us," Bauer said. "Now we know we can be competitive with the world's best."
When the Olympics ended Sunday with the women's 30K race, the focus shifted to the future — the future of U.S. cross country skiing and Soldier Hollow as a course.
The men's team loses its most productive veterans — Justin Wadsworth, Patrick Weaver, Carl Swenson and John Bauer — and the women's team loses its heart and soul in Nina Kempell.
Kempell skied in her fourth Olympics this year, a record for a U.S. cross country skier. Having won 18 national titles, her departure will leave a huge void on the women's team.
The future of cross country skiing may be brighter than its past, though. Kris Freeman surprised everyone with two top-25 finishes and has set a goal to medal at the next Olympics.
Head coach Christer Skog says that is a realistic goal for Freeman, who is only 21. Lars Flora, Andrew Johnson and University of Utah student Torin Koos — who all competed in their first Olympics — should round out the nucleus of a strong men's team.
The women's team includes Park City's Wendy Wagner and several young skiers who should improve dramatically over the next four years. Those skiers include Aelin Peterson, Barb Jones and Kikkan Randall.
As for Soldier Hollow, which received high marks from competitors and spectators, the venue should continue to see use in World Cup and other international competitions.
Several of the world's best skiers called Soldier Hollow one of the most difficult courses they have ever skied. Defending World Cup champion Per Elofsson didn't medal once during the Games, obviously struggling at Soldier Hollow's high altitude.
E-mail: jhyde@desnews.com
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February 25, 2002
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