May 09, 2010 – Pepa Milocheva, from Craftsbury, VT, has been named 2010 NENSA Coach of the Year! Pepa  has been head coach at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center for about 12 years now, working with juniors, seniors and master skiers. If that doesn’t keep her busy enough, she also helps with the sculling program!  Now in the process of growing the new Craftsbury Green Racing Project Team, you may see her and the GRP athletes at multiple races in New England and beyond on any given weekend!

Pepa who is originally from Bulgaria, has a Master’s degree from the Sport University in Sofia in physical education and sports, coaching and exercise physiology. She puts this knowledge to good use by applying it to a comprehensive testing program for her athletes, to gauge the progress they are making in their training. What many people may not know is that Pepa was also the 1994 World Champion and World Cup event winner in Ski Orienteering! She has been a coach with the New England JO team for 10 years, and loves working with the younger J2 skiers.

The image one might think of when Pepa’s name is mentioned is that of the ‘energizer bunny’- This woman never stops!  Whether tending to the needs of her Green Team athletes, planning out their training, working with the juniors and masters, driving the van and feeding on the long distance days, testing, or doing the myriad of other tasks required to keep things rolling along at the center, most would be hard pressed to keep up with her.

One of the endearing qualities Pepa has is her tireless enthusiasm when working with her athletes.  Always willing to lose her voice cheering for athletes at the races, helping the J2’s at JO’ s cope with all the stress factors and keeping everyone organized and getting to the races on time, is her trademark.

This past year, the GRP has come together and is making a mark with some great performances at US Nationals and SuperTour races, and will be expanding for 2011. We expect we will be hearing a lot more about them in the future, under Pepa’s leadership and the support from the Craftsbury Outdoor Center to make it all happen.

Congratulations to Pepa on her passion and dedication to the sport of nordic skiing, and as the recipient of the 2010 NENSA Coach of the Year award.