Perhaps you haven't noticed, but the US Cross-Country Ski Team is turning heads these days. The team has become a force in a sport that has been traditionally ruled by the Europeans.
There are a couple New England skiers on the team including superstar Andy Newell from the town of Shaftsbury in southern Vermont. He recently placed <link http: www.usskiteam.com crosscountry external-link-new-window>seventh in a World Cup classic sprint. He was behind guys from Norway, Russia and Finland.
Newell's teammate Kris Freeman of New Hampshire just last week place fourth in a 15K classic World Cup race. Up until recently, you really wouldn't have seen Americans in the top positions at the finish line.
In fact, in China in 2006, Newell earned the United States its first podium finish (top three) in more than 20 years. The Stratton Mountain School grad has continued to earn top-10 finishes.
You can check out Newell's biographical info on the <link http: www.usskiteam.com crosscountry athletes external-link-new-window ski>US Ski Team site.
And if you are really interested, you can <link http: twitter.com andynewellskier external-link-new-window>follow him on Twitter — he's @AndyNewellskier.
Also, you must check out the amazing jumps and freestyle park moves that he takes on nordic skis <link http: www.usskiteam.com crosscountry external-link-new-window team>on this page. It's crazy. The video is part of the selection on the top right of the page entitled "Freestyle Cross Country — DON'T try this at home."
When Andy Newell says go big or go home, he means it.
I also found this profile and interview on the <link http: teamusa.org external-link-new-window>Team USA Olympics site. Isn't it about time to get to know Andy Newell?
Photo: US Ski Team
