November 16, 2009 (Duluth, MN) – Skiers across the US were saddened by the recent death of Nikolai Anikin. Many of us still remember his curt, but clear evaluation of our ski technique: “for you, 80%”. He was the master of the classic technique, and we were honored to know from him for just how close, or far away, we were from Russian perfection.

Anikin was an Olympic gold medal Nordic skier – a member of the Russian team that won the 4x10km relay at the 1956 Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. He was a Nordic ski instructor, first overseeing the Russian ski team for 27 years, before coming to the United States and working with the US National team and then the Gitchi Gummi Sport Association.

He was a perfect partner to his wife, Antonina’s coaching style, and he was a wonderful father, bringing up current cross-country marathon competitor, Nikolai, Jr.

The compelling story of Anikin’s life, from Siberia to the United States, can be found in the Duluth News Tribune. Anikin is survived by his wife, Antonnina, his son, Nikolai Jr., 28, of Duluth, and daughter Irina, 50, of Moscow. A celebration of his life is planned for Dec. 6 at Snowflake Ski Center.