November 11, 2008 (Auburn, ME) – Led by Nordic skiers Danny Simoneau, Leslie Bancroft and Alpine skier Julie Parisien, the Maine Ski Hall Of Fame inducted nine skiers, founders, coaches, and ski teachers into the Hall on Friday evening, Oct. 24, at Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn, Maine.

Simoneau, from Livermore Falls, was part of the highly successful cross-country team during the 80s and will forever be credited with being the first skier to ever race on a pair of “hairies” at the Swedish Ski Games where he took second place. That year culminated with a 7th place finish overall in the cross-country World Cup series. Simoneau skied at the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Olympics and also at the 1982, 1985 and 1987 FIS Nordic World Championships

Bancroft, from Oxford Hills Maine, was a member of the US Ski Team’s “hot housing” junior development program called the “Baby Blues” in the mid to late 70s and was a member of the 1980 and 1988 Olympic Teams and was also on the 1982 FIS Nordic World Championship Team. Bancroft is still an active member of Masters racing and participated at the 1988 Master World Championships in Lake Placid, NY.

The rest of the inducted class included: Bob Kendall, Nordic Combined skier; Bill Cumming, ski jumping; Tim LaVallee, coaching; Par Miller, coaching; H. King Cummings, skiing founder; and Hans Jenni, ski instructor.

More then 300 ski enthusiasts welcomed this class to The Hall and it was an evening of many tales and opportunities to see old friends from the state of Maine’s ski family.