May 16, 2015 – On the strength of a calendar as diverse as their community is deep, Craftsbury Outdoor Center built a triumphant and award winning season. Craftsbury has become a storied venue, not just in New England, but on a national scale. Equally, they have built a venue that is a destination for the family and lifestyle skier as much as it is for the racer.

The 2014-15 season was particularly exciting in the Northeast Kingdom. Craftsbury’s SuperTour Festival, which included the AXCS Masters National Championship, a NENSA EasternCup, two SuperTour weekends, and the EISA Dartmouth Carnival, anchored New England’s competitive calendar. Those eleven days of racing showcased the venue and what Craftsbury Outdoor Center is doing for the broader nordic community.

It is in recognition of that dedication to the sport of cross country skiing that NENSA is pleased to honor Craftsbury Outdoor Center with the 2015 John Caldwell Award.

The John Caldwell Award is NENSA’s highest annual honor. Named for a patriarch of the New England and national cross country community, the Caldwell Award is given annually to an individual or entity in New England contributing to the advancement of the sport of cross country skiing.

Hosting world-class events is only part of the equation for Craftsbury. Among the several programs running out the Craftsbury Outdoor Center, is the Green Racing Project. Two GRP teammates, Kaitlynn Miller and Gordon Vermeer, swept the Gallagher Cup, NENSA’s award for the overall champions of the season-long EasternCup series.

In looking back on Craftsbury’s marquee event and one of our favorite moments of the 2014-15 season, Dartmouth Women’s Head Coach and NENSA Board Vice President, Cami Thompson-Graves said, “The Craftsbury Outdoor Center has done it once again!  This winter’s SuperTour-EasternCup-Dartmouth Carnival event was a blockbuster! Watching the crowds of college and elite athletes cheering for the Bill Koch League skiers at the finish brought tears to my eyes!”

“Craftsbury continues to raise the bar with a balanced focus on innovation and tradition with new events like their terrain-accented SuperSprint and favorite traditions like the early season Masters Camps,” said NENSA Executive Director, Zach Stegeman. “Some of the best moments for our community are those where the future of the sport can ski with the generations ahead of them, and Craftsbury facilitates that opportunity every winter.”

Craftsbury’s Sheldon Miller was fittingly succinct in his position on Craftsbury’s vital role in the New England nordic community, “we are happy flag bearers for the cause.”

“Everything they do, they do well,” continued Thompson-Graves. “Craftsbury has created an atmosphere that is so open and welcoming and shows the sport of Nordic skiing in the best possible light. “

Previous Caldwell Award Recipients:

– 2014 Bill Henchy
– 2013 Patrick Cote
– 2012 Dick Dreissigacker & Judy Geer
– 2011 Ray Broomhall
– 2010 Weston Family
– 2009 Mary Ann Levins
– 2008 Graham Taylor
– 2007 Dick Taylor
– 2006 Chisholm Ski Club
– 2005 Fred Griffin
– 2004 Anne Donaghy & Mary Hamel
– 2003 Trina Hosmer
– 2002 Jim Rodrigues
– 2001 Volvo

Click here for information and history on all NENSA annual awards.