Join us from the comfort of your home as longtime Olympic TV and stadium announcer, Peter Graves moderates a diverse and expert panel complete with some of Nordic skiing's most respected names, including Olympians, coaches, race officials, and organizers. Tuning in from all over the country, panelists will take a brief look at how Nordic skiing has evolved and where it is currently. Then they'll take a deeper look into their crystal balls and talk about where the sport might be headed, including topics such as racing, training, equipment, race formats, COVID, and snowmaking issues. A Q&A session will follow.
About our panelists:
Kikkan Randall
Best known for teaming up with Jessie Diggins for the USA's historic and first Gold medal in the 2018 Olympic Games in Korea in the team sprint, Kikkan will be joining in from Alaska. She has won many World Cup races and is on the Board of the US Ski Team and the International Olympic Committee. She brings a unique point of view to the sport and what it takes to win.
Kjell Erik Kristianson
Kristianson, a native of Norway will join us from his home there. The many time Olympic and World Cup announcer, author, and long-time observer of the Nordic scene will bring us up to date on the latest trends, where we might be going, and filling us in on the impact COVID is likely to have on the international scene. Kjell and moderator Peter Graves have been long time friends and colleagues teaming up to announce the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake and the 2012 FIS World Championship in Oslo.
Sverre Caldwell
Caldwell, from the famed Vermont Nordic skiing Caldwell clan, spent a thirty-year career coaching at Vermont's Stratton Mountain School where he developed Olympic athletes, including his own daughter Sophie. He has a broad perspective of the sport.
Andy Newell
Bennington-born Vermonter, Newell has been a four-time US Olympian in cross-country skiing and was especially strong internationally in sprinting. He has been one of the sport's innovators regarding technique development and racing tactics. He'll be tuning in from Bozeman, MT where he now coaches.
John Estle
A New Hampshire native, Estle has spent much of his life based in Fairbanks, AK, where he draws much experience as a former athlete, former US Ski Team Head Coach, and a long-time race organizer. He served as Chief of Stadium for cross country events at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
Chris Grover
A former Dartmouth racer, Grover has been the Head Coach of the US Cross Country Ski Team. His leadership and steady hand have been critical to the program's success. He will speak from his home in Sun Valley about the FIS World Cup, where he is a member of the Committee, the season ahead, the Covid-19 effect, and his views about how the USA achieved international recognition.
Ollie Burruss
A native of Massachusetts, Burruss was a Captain on the Harvard Nordic team. Ollie has a huge love of skiing and is the Chief Race Director for races at Craftsbury Nordic Center. He has a creative mind and is known for thinking outside the traditional box on competitions and their formats, and will give us a glimpse of where we might be headed in the sport.
*Panelists have been confirmed, but we may experience some last minutes changes.
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