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Former Olympic champs drop in on Golden's nordic centre

We had a nice hot chocolate as Victor and his older brother John told us how they have now skied at Dawn Mountain twice this winter
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Jeff Dolinsky (centre) poses with 1964 Bobsleigh gold medalists Vic and John Emery.

Jeff Dolinsky

Submitted

On that cold, but bright Thursday afternoon last week, two skiers cruised by calling out a hello as they enthusiastically skied by. Both were grey haired and one looked familiar.

Hey! That was Vic Emery…I saw him at two loppets this year!

How did he find our Nordic Centre? We stopped at the chalet and had a nice hot chocolate as Victor and his older brother John told us how they have now skied at Dawn Mountain twice this winter. They love our trails.

They are not your average skiers. Victor once part owned the Lake Louise Ski area and was one of CMH’s earliest clients. He has raced in all the World Loppets and is still, at 80, doing long distance ski races. He lives in Norway part time.

Their big claim to fame happened 50 years ago when they became members of Canada’s 4 man bobsled team. They trained in Lake Placid, New York as there was no bobsled course in Canada.

In Innsbruck, Austria, they stunned the bobsled world and won a gold medal despite having really no sponsorship. They were coached by an Italian champion.

Big Brother John Emery is 82 and lives in Sonoma, California. Both these guys are still adventuring in the mountains, skiing all winter, entering races. They won’t be at our Loppet on Sunday as they are going to the World Keskinada Loppet in Ottawa to ski 50k next week.

The message they are happy to convey is “Keep pushing, maximize those fitness sports. Don’t stop! It keeps you young!”

The brothers promise to return and ski our area again and we hope to see them in the Huckleberry Loppet next year.

This year’s Loppet goes this Sunday at 11AM. Participants and spectators are welcome to join the event…go to www.zone4.ca for entry information.