March 24, 2018 (Craftsbury Common, VT) – There was something truly magical in the air today at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont that took place just after the prize-giving ceremony. Members of the USA Olympic cross-country ski team kindly gathered together to respond to wonderful questions asked by the likes of New England Youth and members of BKL programs from around the East.

The whole affair which last but half and hour was a powerful reminder of the concept of community and the beauty of a special shared experience in the sport. In the presence of many of the heroes of our sport, including Olympic gold medalists Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall, wide-eyed young racers asked interesting questions of the whole team.

The questions asked by the kids covered a wide range of topics from how the squad grew their special team togetherness that has been clearly demonstrated to be a highly effective motivator, to what music on their playlists they listen to to get pumped up before a race. Other questions included what is your favorite kind of milk – most agreed on chocolate, low fat (of course), to if you were a monster what character would you be. All agreed there were great questions asked.

As the sky cleared to a brilliant blue and the youth gathered round, the Olympians answered questions in a most thoughtful and encouraging manner. The key concept centered around following one’s dreams and staying with it, even during the tough days, because the sport can take you anywhere you might want to go. Just as with their skiing, the Olympians hit the mark. Many stressed that skiing and racing should indeed be fun.

The vibe was something special…it was a give-and-take that proved deeply effecting making us all think of the athletes who inspired so many generations of skiers. This team deserves to be commended for taking the time and care to pay it forward. The kids inspired here today, will be inspiring us in the future.

These Olympians represent the present, and the 100 or so young athletes gathered represent the future. It was a moment in time that was filled with humor, love and fun.

Like everyone in the crowd, I’m proud to be in a sport where these important interactions can take place, where everyone cares for one another, where inspiration is the watchword.

For those lucky enough to be gathered about today for this function, there was a papable feeling that we all came away from this moment in time very much the richer for it.