Rumford welcomes nation’s best Nordic skiers
RUMFORD – They came from as far away as Alaska, Canada and even Europe. And they came from as close as Oxford, Bethel, and Yarmouth. They came from everywhere.
But while the top Cross Country skiers opened the 2004 Chevrolet U.S. Cross Country Championships on the trails of the Chisholm Ski Club at Black Mountain Saturday, there was one local skier conspicuously absent.
Was it illness that kept the three-time Olympian (1988, ’92, ’94) away? Was it the combination of sleet, rain, and freezing rain? No, it was life.
“I would have loved to competed,” said Farmington’s Dorcas Wonsavage. “I left things open until the very last minute, but this year there are just so much else going on in my life. Between family and work I just wasn’t going to be able to have the focus I would want.”
Wonsavage, 38, while still deeply involved in the sport that she loves, sees her focus changing from competing on the courses to making sure others know all about those that do compete – and doing what she can to make them better at it.
“My work for the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) has gone full time this year,” said Wonsavage. “I’m in charge of their membership, their publications, and getting their results to the media as well.”
Between all that and a family to keep track of as well, it might make sense that we cut the skier some slack. Wonsavage wouldn’t agree.
“All these other things have made racing and skiing a hobby,” said Wonsavage. “It’s the treat I get if I do my work.
“I still appear to be racing well. I did well against some awesome competition up at Fort Kent on Monday and Tuesday. I finished over a minute and a half behind Rebecca Dussault (Gunnison, Colo.) who is probably our top female skier in the U.S. right now. I was also about a minute behind Canadian National Team member Milaine Theriault.”
As Wonsavage sees her perspective and responsibilities evolve in the sport, that doesn’t mean she isn’t still going to compete.
“I am racing all the BankNorth Eastern Cup races this year,” said the former Olympian. “If things continue to go well, my treat at the end of the year is to out to Colorado to ski in the Spring Series out there. I love to race.”
By competing in the Eastern Cup events, travel will not be a major issue. Events will take her to Massachusetts and Vermont among other venues. Close-to-home is good for a mother of a 4-year-old.
Despite her love for skiing and racing, it isn’t without effort however as Wonsavage fights the never-ending battle with time.
“The day after the sprints at Fort Kent, I was on the Sugarloaf trails doing what I laughingly called the ‘bruised ego intervals,'” she said.
Through her years of involvement in cross country skiing, Wonsavage has seen the sport get serious about competition. She likes the results.
“I am so impressed right now with the direction of the U.S. Cross Country program,” said Wonsavage. “They have some terrific coaches that have been able to provide continuity. They have been able to identify the weaknesses in the program and in the athletes and focus on those weaknesses. They are starting to turn out skiers like Chris Freeman and Carl Swensen. Good skiers like Freeman can now leave school and focus on their sport. I cry for joy when I see them succeed.”
Important also is the ability of U.S. skiers to compete on a level playing field. In this area, training is just one side of the equation.
“Now the anti-doping control measures are so strict,” said Wonsavage. “And they actually have some teeth in them. Now, the first North American ever, Beckie Scott of Canada, has an Olympic Gold medal. But she had to wait 22 months before they finally took away the medals of the people that finished ahead of her.”
Wonsavage is also impressed with the number of young people picking up the sport.
“Maine is like a sleeping giant,” she said. “Because of clubs like the Chisholm Ski Club and all the others all over the state, it is becoming more a way of life and building a healthier lifestyle. The Libra Foundation and others help thousands of elementary students ski every week.”
With time comes age and responsibility.
“If I could be paid for skiing, I’d do it at the drop of a hat,” said Wonsavage. “Now my role these days is more of a role model for young women. And as a coach for all ages, young students through master skiers.”
Despite that realization, skiing will always be there for her.
“Somewhere between the starting line and the finish line is my time, I love it,” she said. “I get to focus on just me and on doing the best I can do at the time. It’s wonderfully selfish.”
Come to think of it, maybe we are cutting her some slack already.
Comments are no longer available on this story