Courage Alpine Skier Qualifies for NASTAR
by Pat Goodwin
Courage
Alpine Skier Meghan Erickson, a 10-year-old amputee from Somerset,
WI, qualified for the NASTAR (National STAndard Race) Championships
that were held March 23-26, 2006 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Erickson competed in the giant shalom as a 3-tracker, which is a
single ski with hand-held outriggers.
NASTAR was developed by SKI Magazine in 1968 and is the largest recreational
ski and snowboard race program in the world. The last day to qualify for
the 2006 National Championships for able bodied and physically challenged skiers
and snowboarders was Feb. 20, 2006.
Erickson, in fourth grade at Somerset Elementary, has been skiing with the Courage
Alpine Ski program for three years. Her first two years she trained at
Welch Village and during the 2006 season she has been skiing at Trollhaugen Ski
Area in Dresser, Wisconsin.
“Meghan’s potential is unlimited at this point,” said Scott
Olson, who has been a volunteer coach with the Courage Alpine Ski program for
12 years and the Forest Lake High School ski coach for six years. “Meghan
has the drive to do better and is not afraid to try out new techniques.”
Courage Alpine Skiers, the largest sports and recreation program offered through
Courage Center, serves more than 200 skiers with disabilities with some 300 volunteers
assisting with the program. The program began in 1968 at Welch Village
and united with Courage Center in 1980. In addition to Welch Village and
Trollhaugen, the Courage Alpine Ski program is offered at Hyland Ski & Snowboard
Area in Bloomington, Buena Vista Ski Area in Bemidji and at Spirit Mountain Ski
Area in Duluth.
For more information, visit www.courage.org
