MASON DWINELL
Ford Sayre Ski Club
Norwich, VT
1986… I was a wee junior Nordic combiner who was tagging along with the National Team at a training camp in Lake Placid. To encourage skiers to get used to going far, NC jumping coach Jeff Hastings proposed a mini competition. Simple rules- pick any start gate and the farthest jump wins. Prize was a case of beer (note– curator disputes this). I was too naive to be scared, opted for more speed than the rest, came in like a sack of rocks, but farther than anyone else. The victory case of beer was disallowed due to a technicality of age. Possibly the highlight of my tenure. Should have hung them up right then and there.
The weekend prior I tipped over on Dartmouth’s 40. Super windy. Unconscious, coughing up blood, ER visit, concussion. Then went to Lake Placid and won.
Sheer terror can prove motivational.
