by Cara Barnes
We've all heard the timeless tale of the handsome Prince and the glass slipper, but when the glass slipper becomes a cross-country ski and the castle is Granby, Colorado, a new Cinderella story is born.
This year Crown Prince Haakon of Norway joined Ski For Light in celebrating it's 25th anniversary. The international event attracted visually and mobility impaired cross-country skiers from Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and every corner of the United States. After a brief training session, which included skiing blindfolded, Crown Prince Haakon ably stepped into the roll of an SFL guide.
"I was a little nervous," admits Laura Oftedahl, visually impaired skier from Massachusetts. "I put my skis down and I was about to get into them," blushes Laura. "Then HE helped me get in my skis. He held them and he clipped down the bindings, it was very sweet."
While Laura's 5-kilometer ski with Crown Prince Haakon included a discussion of music and a few photos, more exciting adventures awaited. "At one point, there was this big hole right alongside my tracks," says Laura. "If you planted your pole just there, you would probably have fallen over. At the very last minute, he saw it but he didn't have time to tell me to go around it. So he just grabbed my jacket and sort of held onto me as we avoided it."
"He was a really good sport," says Kathy Wood, visually and mobility impaired skier from New Jersey, describing a sled hockey game involving mobility-impaired participants. "He played a whole hockey game, and then just threw his body across the ice to block a goal." Kathy says she teased him about it later and commented that she liked that "little action" in the hockey rink, to which Crown Prince Haakon replied that he had actually just fallen out of the sled. "Oh yea, right," smiles Kathy. "I knew he didn't."
Crown Prince Haakon summed up the event for many by saying, "it's definitely been a really great experience to be here." As the golden carriage turns back into a pumpkin, those who participated will remember the magic of Ski For Light 2000, made more magical by Crown Prince Haakon's visit.
By His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway
January 30, 2000
Dear fellow skiers,
It is a pleasure for me to be here today and to have a chance to find out more about the exciting movement you are all a part of. For 25 years, Ski For Light has been an arena where people join together in peaceful partnership to learn from each other through physically demanding activities. An important experience, from what I understand, is the message of joy and happiness. Joy--to have come out of the isolation so easily provided by a handicap, and happiness by training towards a specific goal and to meet equals in keen competition.
Another important aspect is the social dimension. Many friendships have been formed both across state lines and oceans, as part of the idea behind Ski For Light is to introduce new people to the joy of cross-country skiing.
Ski For Light's multicultural flavor grew out of its close ties with Ridderrennet, an international event held at Beitost len in Norway. Founded in 1965, Ridderrennet serves as the model for Ski For Light. I am glad to learn that there is an ongoing sharing of people and experiences between the two events. This year, I understand that a delegation of 38 Norwegians are here to contribute and learn.
Both of my parents have participated at Beitost len several times, and I have heard about all the fun they had and about the time they spent with the founder of Ridderrennet, the late Mr. Erling Stordahl. As for myself this is the first time to be a guide in such a competition, and I am both excited and a bit worried--excited to participate in the competition, and a bit worried that I can't keep up with my companion.
At ski For Light, I understand that the main thing is to participate, not necessarily to win, and that it is common to find both skier and guides who have participated for five, 10 and 20 years. I am sure that your go-ahead spirit and enthusiasm is something that will have rub-off effect on every one of us present.
I congratulate all participants as well as organizers on your accomplishments and the important work you do, and wish you all the best in the years to come.
In recognition of past achievements, in appreciation of present efforts, and in confidence of future success, I hereby declare the 25th Ski For Light opened.