June 30, 2011 (Park City, Utah) – John Farra, the USSA Nordic Director since 2008, has taken on a new challenge as the first Nordic director of the U.S. Paralympics high performance Nordic skiing program at the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). During his tenure the USA’s XC, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined teams amassed an incredible four Olympic and six Nordic Worlds medals while the NCombined team made history winning their first medal in the 86-year old sport.

“It’s bitter-sweet,” Farra told SkiTrax in a phone interview following the news.”The USSA has provided me a multitude of opportunities and experiences and I’ve learned so much and had the pleasure and privilege of working with so many great people from coaches, to officials, to event organizers, volunteers and club leaders – all passionate about the sport.”

On his stunning medal take Farra was quick to credit those before him that built the program he inherited. “Luke Bodensteiner and a host of great people spent 10 years building the program and then a group of top-notch athletes got the job done. It was great to be a part of it,” commented Farra.

He added that it wasn’t all a bed of roses as the teams were shut out at Oslo 2011 but he’s satisfied that a solid framework is in place and that bodes well for all teams going forward. “I’d love to be joining everyone in Sochi 2014 but I feel good about the systems and people we have in place. The bus will drive forward well without me and I know more success lies ahead for the teams.”

The USOC position represents advancement and presents new challenges for Farra as the decision was also a career move for him. “There’s a lot for me to learn in this new position as their first Nordic Director but it’s also best for me and my family at this point in my career. The USOC is not only higher up on the food chain but I’ll also be able to spend more time with my wife and two kids Lina [who just turned 10] and Hanna [almost 8 years old].”

In the official USOC release Farra commented on his new position. “I am excited to have an opportunity to work with the U.S. Olympic Committee and am eager to bring my experience and passion for Nordic sports into the U.S. Paralympic programs.  The position will provide me new professional challenges and goals as we aim to build comprehensive medal-contending programs for cross-country and biathlon.”

The big question now is who will fill Farra’s boots on the USSA team? “A director is not crucial,” Farra joked. “If everything is in place and you have a good system and good people the results take care of themselves. There are lots of great committed people out there and It’ll be fun to see who takes over – they’ll have a great team to work with as they build towards Sochi.”

Farra’s last day at the USSA is July 13 and he begins his new journey at the USOC on Aug. 1. We join the Nordic community in thanking him for his great work and wish him all the best on the road ahead.

John Farra Bio
Born and raised in Saratoga Springs, New York, Farra was on skis at the age of two and developed a passion for cross-country skiing thanks to the cross-country ski touring center that his family owned and operated.  Farra attended the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid before heading to college at the University of Utah where he was a part of and would later coach the cross-country ski team. Farra joined the U.S. Ski Team in 1990 and went on to compete at the World Championship and Olympic levels.  Farra was the Assistant Head of School at the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid after retiring from competitive ski racing, then served as the Vice President for the Maine Winter Sports Center in Caribou, Maine for six years, before taking over as the Nordic Director for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association in 2008.  The highlights of his tenure at the U.S. Ski Team were the 6 World Championship and 4 Olympic medals won by his cross-country, ski jumping and Nordic combined programs. Farra resides in Heber, UT with his wife Tess Miner-Farra and two daughters, Lina and Hanna.