BILL DEMONG
Executive Director
Billy grew up jumping in the Lake Placid Ski Club, a cross country skier as soon as he could walk he added the longer skis when he was 8 and fell in love with Nordic Combined. After a World Cup career spanning 5 Olympic games he retired from the competitive side following the 2015 World Championships in Falun, Sweden. Having played a major role in developing USA Nordic Sports from its origins as USA Ski Jumping, adding Nordic Combined and ushering in many of the organizations key donors, Demong took on the role of Executive Director in the spring of 2016 because of his love for the sport and desire to see the organization find athletic and financial sustainability. “When I look down the road a few years I see USA Nordic’s elite athletes supported at a higher level than they have ever known and the number of youth trying ski jumping and nordic combined at higher rates than we have seen in decades. Ski Jumping in this country has a vibrant community and rich history that I aim to grow on and develop new opportunities to grow our base of athletes, clubs and fans!”
Demong is America’s first Olympic Gold Medalist in Nordic Skiing and in addition to his passion for skiing has experience as the Global Marketing Director at Reynolds Cycling and longer term experience as a Board Member USA Nordic and the National Nordic Foundation (NNF).
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Hi Billy –
This is Mike Lynch, reporter from Saranac Lake. Hope things are going well out west. I’m doing an article about how Nordic skiing venues are adapting to climate change and warming temps, and I wanted to interview for the article since you have seen a wide variety venues as an athlete and otherwise. Are you available to talk this week?
Billy –
I’m a passionate nordic ski fan looking to further our sport. I’ve got a really unique idea for hosting a big group rollerski ride event, sort of like they have large century bike rides or gran fondos. We would open it up to clubs, pros, high schools, masters….anyone who wants to come. The goal would be to further promote our sport and our national pipeline. I sent out the email below to a bunch of local clubs and coaches, but my future vision is to include the US Nordic team and professional athletes and sponsors. I think we could really make a big summer event that would be something fans and athletes could look forward to in terms of breaking up the summer roller ski training, connecting with competitors and friends, and fostering relationships with those who are also passionate about the growth of our sport. Let me know what you think!
Greetings coaches, clubs, and athletes,
I’m writing this to inform you of a potentially great opportunity to promote nordic skiing in our area and nation. As you are aware, nordic skiing in the USA is currently on an exciting upward trajectory in performance on the world stage. We have been blessed by the trailblazing effort of those who competed and coached in the 80’s, 90’s, and early 00’s, and now, thanks to a stronger, more unified team approach, our athletes have experienced newfound heights of accomplishment. For this reason, I think it is paramount for those who love and care about this sport to take advantage of the current perception of nordic skiers and capitalize on teaching, encouraging, and moving our sport forward.
Every weekend there are group rides and cycling events that raise money for good causes. There are Gran Fondos and races that large groups of people compete in. There are 5k’s, 10k’s, and marathon events that attract runners by the thousands. Nothing really exists for nordic skiers, and I think that is CRAZY!
The summer months can bring sadness for those who can’t get on the snow – let’s shake things up and host a huge rollerski event. Here is my idea:
Located on the paved, quiet roads of Alamosa, Colorado (elev. 7,500 ft), coaches and clubs at the youth, college, and professional level gather for a group training ride. We can design safe, beautiful, and fast courses of many different lengths. It would essentially be like a “Tour de Cure” or “Ride for MS” bike event, only for rollerskiers. We could even decide to raise funds for a good cause. Or, we could simply make it an event that is free, with the purpose of unifying our US nordic team, from the bottom on up, and raising awareness and excitement for the direction it is headed.
I’m picturing different teams, different ages, from all over, getting together to ride. I’m also picturing having inspirational speakers, former and current athletes, etc., giving talks throughout the day, inspiring and teaching the future generations. Just like at large road races or bike events, where sponsors are present to offer demos and sell equipment, we could invite different brands to sell their rollerski and winter apparel and gear (how often do they get hundreds of rollerskiers in one spot to try stuff out!)
If you think this is a good idea, let’s keep the communication going and move forward with promoting our sport. I’m open to other suggestions of locations, but I know from living here that it would be logistically pretty simple to create different routes that would have very little traffic. We also have a central park that would work great as a meeting/vendor/start area. Please reply with a date or open time slot where you think this type of an event could fit into your summer training blocks.
If you have any other ideas or suggestions, let me know!
—
Ryan Sederquist
Alamosa Elementary School 3-5 Music Teacher
701-388-8290 (Cell)
Please send any messages requiring a response to info@usanordic.org
Thanks!
Hi Billy,
My name is Janet Malcolm and I have been trying to get a hold of someone from the National Nordic Foundation . I am writing from the Vermont Community Foundation and a grant has been awarded to support the National Nordic Foundation. The number on the website is busy and the address that I tried to send the grant check to was returned saying box closed. I just left a message for Hennie but don’t think he is there anymore. I see that you are on the board so I am wondering if you know the address? If not, can you get me in touch with someone else who does? thanks so much! Janet
Janet,
Please send a message to info@usanordic.org so we can get your contact info.