July 07, 2016 (Steamboat Springs, CO) – Sven Wiik, a long-time skiing legend, passed away July 5 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, he was 95. Wiik devoted his life to cross-country skiing and was a tireless advocate for the sport. His accomplishments were many, his friends were everywhere and in many ways, at his core, he was a teacher. Not only of skiing, but also of truth.

Wiik was born in Solleftea, Sweden on February 27, 1921 and immigrated to the United States, to Chicago, in 1949. At the 1948 Olympic Summer Games in London, Wiik was part of the Swedish Team that competed in the demonstration sport of gymnastics.

He was a coach for the 1960 U.S. Olympic cross-country squad in Squaw Valley and coached for the 1958 World Championship team.

He also coached at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado for 19 years and developed and inspired generations of young skiers, more than 12 of his skiers qualified for World Championships and USA Olympic Teams. At Western State College he also served as an assistant professor of health and physical education.

Despite demanding a commitment to hard physical training and fitness as a coach, Wiik was much loved by his skiers and was kind, gracious and humorous – he also changed people’s lives for the better and as great coaches can do.

One athlete, and long-time figure in the sport Tom Corbin, remembered the profound and deeply personal mark Wiik made on his life. “I was adopted and grew up in Gunnison, Colorado. In grade school Sven started a gymnastics program for local kids which I attended. I was what we now call an “at risk kid” growing up. Sven is the reason I probably didn’t end up in prison. He let us train with the college team and the rest is history,” noted Corbin.

“I owe him so much, I got to be on the U.S. Ski Team, I got a college degree and I have a career in Alaska in Education, Coaching and Juvenile Justice,” Corbin continued. “To me he was a “Father Figure” – Sven didn’t just teach skiing, he taught us how to live life. He did so much for so many, and I count myself among them.” The ultimate in high praise for a life well lived… that was Sven, in a nutshell.

Later the Wiik family moved to Steamboat Springs, CO where they opened the famed Scandinavian Lodge, which became a mecca for both ski racing and ski touring. The family also helped start the Steamboat Ski Touring Center.

In 1974 Wiik was honored by winning USSA’s highest accolade, the Blegan Award, and was also inducted into the US Ski Hall of Fame.

Wiik was a long time volunteer in the sport and at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid he served as Chief Steward of cross-country skiing events.

For decades Wiik was an active and highly decorated Master’s cross-country ski racer, and won many age-group medals- many of them gold.

John Caldwell, himself a living legend in the sport, recalled Wiik’s grace and style, noting, ”Sven was a masterful European-style diplomat who managed to stay above the frequent frays taking place in the world of cross-country skiing while at the same time making very meaningful contributions to the sport. He was considered a good friend by countless skiers and coaches.”

The Chief Executive Officer of USSA and the USST, Tiger Shaw, also was filled with praise for Wiik’s many accomplishments saying, “The pioneering efforts of coaches like Sven Wiik helped set the stage for the success our cross-country athletes are having today. Our country was blessed to have him bring his passion for skiing to America and to the sport he loved. I was proud to ski on some of the trails he developed for the Slumberland American Birkebeiner this past season.”

Sven Wiik was widely known for designing much of the American Birkebeiner trail, along with former U.S. and Canadian National Team coach Marty Hall.

“Sven, was a professional’s “professional”. At a National Team spring camp in the ’70s, we were skiing at Rabbit Ear’s Pass and staying at his lodge. We headed off to ski early every day – out the door at 6am to beat the sun. The night before I had been grooming until midnight, and home to bed at 1am. When I returned back from skiing at noon I received a call from Jim Balfanz, Program Director, to remind me to shave and look like a professional every day when doing my job, no excuses! This was Sven’s way – it definitely made me think of him and this persona was always carried forward by me. Loved that man and feel good that I was in contact with him this past winter,” commented Hall.

Wiik was so many things to the ski world on so many levels… an inspiration, a huge advocate for the sport, a beloved, compassionate and loyal man. He touched so many including myself and two of my coaches as well.

His wisdom resides in everyone who was lucky enough to know him and call him a friend.

Wiik is survived by his loving wife Birthe, daughter Birgitta Lindgren, and granddaughter Kajsa Lindgren, all of whom have played a major role in cross-country skiing in the United States.

A Celebration of Life for Sven Wiik is planned for the fall.

SkiTrax joins the ski community around the globe in sending condolences to Wiik’s family and friends.